Linux – Connecting to FTP via the Linux command line

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I need to upload files via FTP from the command line. I have this information: a URL, a username, a password, a port, and the fact that I am supposed to use passive mode.

How do I upload a file given this information?

Note that I am having to do this from a script, so I need to be able to enter this information automatically.

Best Answer

There's many CLI (command line) clients out there. Most common is simply ftp. You've got <host>, <port>, <username>, <pass> and "passive mode". Using ftp you should do:

ftp -p <host> <port>

-p switch means "use passive mode". Then you'll be asked about your username and password. After successful login (server let you know about that), you are able to give some commands. Type help and press "enter" to get list of commands available. You can use e.g. cd, ls, mkdir ftp commands to change working directory (on the server), list its contents and create a new directory. If before running ftp you were in the same directory as you files you want to send, you can use put or mput command to start actual transfer. First command sends one file, second multiple files using globbing (e.g. mput *pdf will send all pdf files in current directory). To get simple help about command you can use help <command> from within ftp app. I'd say that's enough for starters. For the rest use man ftp or info ftp. To end ftp session type bye. There are other ways to do that but I think this one is just elegant :).

As for the other clients, some interesting choices were pointed here, but I personally use lftp. It's just solid, good, flexible and easy to use ftp client. If you prefer more visual approach while still being under command line, you can go for mc or "Midnight Command". It's general application file manager utilizing Norton Commander paradigm, but can be also used to access ftp servers.

Related Solutions

How to Upload One File by FTP from Command Line

Here is one approach:

$ ftp -n <<EOF
open ftp.example.com
user user secret
put my-local-file.txt
EOF

Alternatively, create (or edit) the ~/.netrc file in the home dir of the user that will run the ftp command, give it appropriate perms (chmod 0600 ~/.netrc), and add the following:

# ~/.netrc
machine ftp.example.com
login user
password secret

Then omit the login information, as in:

$ echo put my-local-file.txt | ftp ftp.example.com

Also, here's how you might do the same thing using curl:

$ curl -T my-local-file.txt ftp://ftp.example.com --user user:secret

MacOS – Can’t upload files via FTP on Mac OS

It sounds like the account you’re using doesn’t have Write access to the server, you need to confirm that with the server admin.

Best Answer

Related Solutions

How to Upload One File by FTP from Command Line

MacOS – Can’t upload files via FTP on Mac OS

Related Question