Using the Built-In Windows FTP Client

!-The ! command causes the FTP console to shell to an XP command console. If you need to execute a different XP command-processor command in the same window as your FTP session without disconnecting the FTP session, use this command.

?-The ? command returns Help information for a selected FTP command.

Append-The Append command works the same way as the command-prompt Append command: It lets you combine two files. In FTP, however, Append lets you combine a local file with a file on the FTP server. The syntax is

append local_file [remote_file]

Ascii-The FTP service isn't very bright. It knows that it can transfer files, but it doesn't understand the difference between simple text files and binary files. By default, it assumes it's transferring simple text (i.e., ASCII) files; if you transfer a binary file (e.g., programs, proprietary document formats, DLLs) in that mode, the files arrive at their destination in an unusable format. Using the Ascii command tells the FTP program that you plan to transfer a text file. The command requires no parameters.

Bell-The Bell command tells the FTP program to play a sound when a file transfer finishes. Each time you type

bell

the command changes the state from on to off or vice versa. The command requires no parameters, and the default state is off.

Binary-The Binary command sets the file-transfer mode to binary and allows the successful transfer of file types other than simple text. Entering this command sets up the program for binary file transfers. Binary requires no parameters.

Bye-The Bye command disconnects the FTP session and exits the FTP console. The command requires no parameters

Cd-The Cd command changes the working directory on the remote computer. The syntax is the same as the Cd command at the local command prompt. The only parameter is the name of the directory you want to switch to (e.g., cd dirname).

Close-The Close command shuts down the current FTP connection but leaves you in the FTP console. The command requires no parameters.

Debug-Toggling Debug mode on means that all the details about commands you send to an FTP host will display on the client console. This information is useful if your connection is having problems; you'll be able to see where in the sequence of events a connection is failing. Entering the Debug command toggles the information on or off. The default state is off, and the command requires no parameters.

Delete-Delete lets you delete files on the remote computer (if the account that you used to log on to the FTP server has sufficient privileges). The syntax is

delete remote__file_name

Dir-Dir is the directory command for the remote computer and displays a list of files and subdirectories that reside on the remote computer. Two parameters are available; you can specify a subdirectory to enumerate, and you can specify a filename to write the directory information to on the local machine. The command

dir subdir1 remote.txt

enumerates the subdirectory subdir1 and writes the list of its contents to the file remote.txt on your local machine, in the directory from which you launched the FTP client.

Disconnect-The Disconnect command provides the same function as the Close command. It disconnects the FTP session and returns the console to the FTP prompt.

Get-The Get command copies a file from the remote computer to the local computer. It also lets you rename the file when the file is being copied. The command

get file_name

simply transfers the file to the local directory. The command

get file_name local_file_name

lets you rename the local copy of the file. Remember to set the file-transfer mode to the appropriate mode by using the Ascii or Binary command before initiating the file transfer.

Glob-The Glob command lets you use wildcards with other FTP file-management commands. Glob supports the use of the asterisk and question mark in filenames the same way they work in any command-line action. Glob is enabled by default. Entering the command will toggle the function off or on, depending on the current state. The command requires no parameters.

Hash-The Hash command causes the console to print a pound sign (#) for every 2KB of data that transmits during uploading or downloading. By default, the hash function is off.

Help-The Help command displays a list of available commands.

Lcd-The Lcd command lets you change the FTP client's local working directory. Entering

lcd

with no parameter displays the current directory path. Entering

lcd directory_name

changes the local working directory to the specified directory.

Literal-The Literal command lets you pass a specific command string to the FTP server. If the server supports additional features that the XP FTP console doesn't understand, you could use the syntax

literal command_string

to pass the command string to the server. The command has no other parameters.

Ls-Ls is the UNIX Dir command and is identical to the Dir command I described earlier.

Msdelete-The Mdelete command functions the same as the Delete command but includes the ability to send a list of filenames from the remote computer. The syntax is

mdelete file1, file2, file3

Mdir-Like the Dir command, the Mdir command lets you request a list of files from the remote computer and also lets you send a list of locations (i.e., directories) to return the file listing from.

Mget-The Mget command functions the same as the Get command but allows multiple file retrievals and doesn't let you rename the files during download.

Mkdir-The Mkdir command lets you create a new directory on the remote machine if your account has sufficient privileges. The syntax is

mkdir directory_name

Mls-The Mls command lets you display a list of filenames and directory names from the remote computer without all the associated information that the Dir and Ls commands display. To use Mls, you need to include the command parameters that define which files you want to display and whether you want them displayed on the screen or written to a directory. Using a hyphen as the only parameter (e.g., mls - -) will display all the information to the console screen.

Mput-The Mput command is the same as the Put command but lets you upload multiple files without intervention. It doesn't let you rename files on transfer.

Open-The Open command connects you to another FTP server from the FTP prompt.
The syntax is

open target_computer port_number

The port number is necessary only if the target computer is running the FTP server on a port other than the standard TCP port 21.

Prompt-If you toggle the Prompt command on (default is off), the Mget and Mput commands will cause the console to prompt you for specific details between each file transfer, giving you the ability to rename or redirect each file that you're transferring.

Put-The Put command copies a file from the local computer to the remote computer. It also lets you rename the file while the file is being copied. The command

put file_name

simply transfers the file to the local directory. The command

put file_name remote0l_file_name

lets you rename the remote copy of the file. Remember to set the appropriate file-transfer mode by using the Ascii or Binary command before you initiate the file transfer.

Pwd-The Pwd command prints the current directory on the remote computer.

Quit-The Quit command closes the FTP session and exits the FTP console.

Quote-The Quote command performs the same function as the Literal command.

Recv-The Recv command is the same as the Get command.

Remotehelp-The Remotehelp command displays the list of commands for which help is available on the FTP server. The

remotehelp command 

syntax specifies the command for which you need help.

Rename-The Rename command lets you rename files on the remote computer. The syntax is

rename current_name new_name

Rmdir-The Rmdir command removes a remote directory if the account that you're using has sufficient privileges. The syntax is

rmdir directory_name 

Send-The Send command is the same as the Put command.

Status-The Status command shows the current status of the FTP console and connection (e.g., Connected to FTP.chernicoff.com. Type: ascii; Verbose: On; Bell: Off; Prompting: On; Globbing: On; Debugging: Off; Hash mark printing: Off.)

Trace-When you enable the Trace command, the FTP console will display the FTP functions that execute for each command that runs. This debugging tool can show you where problems are occurring in an FTP connection. The command has no parameters.

Type-The Type command will show the user which transfer mode (i.e., ASCII, Binary) is currently selected. You can use the commands

type ascii

or

type binary

to set the transfer mode.