FTP 101 – A Mini Series for Modern Devs Using Classic Protocols

Despite the age of FTP, it's still deeply embedded in many workflows – from backups and batch transfers to legacy integrations and automation. At [ftpGrid.com](https://ftpgrid.com), we’ve launched a practical tutorial series to help developers and sysadmins get confident with FTP, FTPS, and SFTP usage – one small topic at a time.

Whether you're managing cronjobs, writing backup scripts, or just want to brush up on those dusty command-line skills, this series is made for you.

The Tutorials

Why does FTP even have two connection modes? We break down the difference between active and passive FTP, complete with ports, NAT issues, and a simple diagram.

https://ftpgrid.com/tutorials/ftp-101-active-vs-passive-connections/

What happens if you upload a .txt file in binary mode – or worse, an image in ASCII mode? This tutorial explains transfer modes and when they matter.

https://ftpgrid.com/tutorials/ftp-101-ascii-binary-transfer-types/

Plain FTP transmits passwords in cleartext. We explain the risks, and why protocols like SFTP are now the standard. ftpGrid enforces strong user/password combos, but you should really go SFTP.

https://ftpgrid.com/tutorials/ftp-101-authentication-is-unsecure/

Learn the classic commands: upload (`put`), download (`get`), list (`ls`), and move around. No fluff, just the essentials.

https://ftpgrid.com/tutorials/ftp-101-basic-ftp-usage-commands/

FTP is great for compatibility, but it has real limitations. This piece explains why many devs are choosing SFTP or SCP instead.

https://ftpgrid.com/tutorials/ftp-101-why-many-are-moving-from-plain-ftp/

Single file or multiple? get vs mget can be confusing at first. Here’s how to fetch files the smart way.

https://ftpgrid.com/tutorials/ftp-101-difference-between-ftp-get-and-mget/

Want to upload just one file, or dozens? Learn how put and mput handle uploads – including common mistakes to avoid.

https://ftpgrid.com/tutorials/ftp-101-difference-between-ftp-put-and-mput/

Move around your FTP server and create folders like a pro. This tutorial covers cd, mkdir, and how to prep the structure before you upload.

https://ftpgrid.com/tutorials/ftp-101-navigating-with-mkdir-and-cd/

Clean up your remote files with rename, delete, and rmdir. We explain the syntax and caveats when deleting folders.

https://ftpgrid.com/tutorials/ftp-101-rename-and-remove-in-ftp/

Why this series?

FTP is not dead – it’s just underappreciated. Whether you’re managing FTP storage from a script, deploying backups from a cronjob, or debugging legacy automation, knowing the tools matters.

At ftpgrid.com, we’re building cloud-hosted FTP/SFTP with modern features, including:

• Simple dashboards

• Automatic strong credential enforcement

• Secure SFTP with SSH key support

• FTPS and plain FTP for legacy systems

…and yes, plenty more tutorials coming soon (including how to use FTP in Python, Go, Bash, and even Cobol ... no not really Cobol!).

Follow the Series

To keep things digestible, each article is tiny and focused. We’ll continue exploring FTP use cases, backups, SFTP integration in code, and more.

Got a use case or language you want covered? Contact using https://ftpgrid.com/.

Let’s make FTP usable again.

ftpGrid.com – SFTP, FTPS, and FTP hosting for developers