lftp – Excellent file client program

LFTP is a command-line file transfer program that allows users to upload, download, and manage files from remote servers. It supports a wide range of protocols, including FTP, SFTP, HTTP, and HTTPS, and offers a variety of features that make it a popular choice for Linux users.

Overview

LFTP is a powerful and versatile file transfer program that can be used for a variety of tasks. Here are some examples of how to use LFTP:

Uploading Files

To upload files to a remote server using LFTP, use the put command followed by the path to the local file and the destination directory on the remote server. For example:

lftp user@remote-server.com
put /path/to/local/file /remote/directory/

Downloading Files

To download files from a remote server using LFTP, use the get command followed by the path to the remote file and the destination directory on the local machine. For example:

lftp user@remote-server.com
get /remote/directory/file /path/to/local/directory/

Managing Files

LFTP also offers a variety of commands for managing files on remote servers, including ls to list files, rm to delete files, and chmod to change file permissions. For example:

lftp user@remote-server.com
ls /remote/directory/
rm /remote/directory/file
chmod 755 /remote/directory/file

Options

LFTP offers a variety of options that can be used to customize its behavior. Here is a table of the most commonly used options:

Option Description
-u Specifies the username to use for authentication
-p Specifies the password to use for authentication
-e Specifies a command to execute after connecting
-c Continues an interrupted transfer
-R Recursively transfers directories
-a Transfers files in ASCII mode

Troubleshooting Tips

Here are some common issues that users may encounter when using LFTP and how to troubleshoot them:

Connection Refused

If you receive a “connection refused” error when trying to connect to a remote server, make sure that the server is running and that you have the correct hostname and port number.

Authentication Failed

If you receive an “authentication failed” error when trying to connect to a remote server, make sure that you have the correct username and password, and that your account has permission to access the server.

Transfer Interrupted

If a transfer is interrupted for any reason, you can use the -c option to resume the transfer from where it left off.

Notes

LFTP is a powerful and versatile file transfer program that offers a wide range of features and options. It is a great choice for users who need to transfer files to and from remote servers on a regular basis.