How to Connect to an FTP Site With an IP Location

Grab files from all over the world using FTP.

Some computers on the Internet allow you to access their files remotely. These computer systems often use the File Transfer Protocol, which allows users to connect to their FTP servers. Some servers are public, while others are private. If you know the name of an FTP server, you can use the name to connect to it. If you only have the IP location of a server, you can still view its files.

Instructions

Public FTP Servers

1. Open your Web browser.

2. Type "FTP:" (without quotes) into the browser's address bar, followed by the IP location of the FTP site. For example, if the FTP site's IP is "111.222.333.44," enter "FTP:111.222.333.44" (without the quotes) into the browser's address bar.

3. Press "Enter." The browser will connect to the FTP site and display its files and folders.

Private FTP Servers

1. Launch your browser.

2. Type "FTP:" (without quotes) into the browser's URL address bar. Type in your user ID, then the "@" sign, then the IP location. For example, if the FTP site's IP is "444.555.666.8844" and your user ID is "jim," enter "FTP:jim@444.555.666.8844" (without the quotes) into the browser's address bar.

3. Press "Enter." The browser will prompt you for your password.

4. Type your password and click "OK" to connect to the FTP site and view the files.

Tips & Warnings

• To connect to an anonymous FTP site, use "anonymous" as the user ID and your email address as the password.

• If you require access to a password-protected FTP site, contact the site's administrator and request access.

References

• Indiana University Information Technology Services: What is FTP, and How Do I Use It to Transfer Files?
• The University of Texas: Getting Started: Connecting to An FTP Server From the Command Line - FTP Server

Resources

• Timeatlas: FTP Browser Syntax -- FTP Tutorial Example