Background File Transfer Program

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The Background File Transfer Program ( BFTP ) is a protocol for transferring files over TCP / IP networks in the background using FTP . BFTP is located in the application layer of the TCP / IP protocol stack . It is used to transfer files in the background.

It is defined in RFC 1068 . As will be further explained there, this protocol serves to stimulate the discussion about further transmission paths for files over the Internet. The HTTP and FTP standards common at the time required constant interaction with the user. Due to the increasing load on the network ( congestion ) in the mid-1980s, however, file transfers could break off. Using BFTP , however, a user could order large transfers, the execution of which was ensured automatically and did not require constant intervention.

Extract commands

  • clear
  • ddir <directory name>
  • dfile <file name>
  • dhost <host name / number> <login> <password>
  • explain
  • find
  • RequestID (optional): <bftp-request-id>
  • RequestKeyword: <keyword>
  • help
  • help <command>
  • quit
  • prompt
  • request delete <name>
  • request list
  • request load <name>
  • request store <name>
  • set account [source | Target] <account string>
  • set append [true | false]
  • set copy
  • set delete
  • set mailbox <mailbox string>
  • set mode [stream | block | compress]
  • set move
  • set multiple [true | false]
  • set port [source | Destination] <port number>
  • set structure [file | record | page]
  • set unique [true | false]
  • set verbose [true | false]
  • sdir <directory name>
  • sfile <file name>
  • shost <host name / number> <login> <password>
  • status
  • Submit
  • time <date and / or time> <minutes between tries> <maximum number of tries>
  • transfer
  • verify

Example of a BFTP session

   Received-Date: Tue, 6 Oct 87 10:15:52 PDT
   Date: Tue, 6 Oct 87 10:15:47 PDT
   From: root (Operator)
   Posted-Date: Tue, 6 Oct 87 10:15:47 PDT
   To: deschon
   Subject: BFTP Results: bftp560538880

   Request bftp560538880 submitted to run at 10:14 Oct 6.

     Tue Oct  6 10:15:22 1987: starting…

       Request type: COPY
       Source: deschon.isi.edu-deschon-XXX--21-./-foo*
       Destination: venera.isi.edu-deschon-XXX--21-./temp/-
       Stru: F, Mode: S, Type: A N, Creation: STOR
       Multiple matching: TRUE
       Return mailbox: 'deschon@isi.edu', Password: SET
       Remaining tries: 5, Retry interval: 60 minutes

   Connect to: deschon.isi.edu, 21
   deschon.isi.edu ==> 220 deschon.isi.edu FTP server (Version 4.7
                           Sun Sep 14 12:44:57 PDT 1986) ready.
   Connect to: venera.isi.edu, 21
   venera.isi.edu ==> 220 venera.isi.edu FTP server (Version 4.107
                           Thu Mar 19 20:54:37 PST 1987) ready.
   deschon.isi.edu <== USER deschon
   deschon.isi.edu ==> 331 Password required for deschon.
   deschon.isi.edu <== PASS XXX
   deschon.isi.edu ==> 230 User deschon logged in.
   venera.isi.edu <== USER deschon
   venera.isi.edu ==> 331 Password required for deschon.
   venera.isi.edu <== PASS XXX
   venera.isi.edu ==> 230 User deschon logged in.
   deschon.isi.edu <== CWD ./
   deschon.isi.edu ==> 200 CWD command okay.
   venera.isi.edu <== CWD ./temp/
   venera.isi.edu ==> 250 CWD command successful.
   deschon.isi.edu <== PORT 128,9,1,56,4,106
   deschon.isi.edu ==> 200 PORT command okay.
   deschon.isi.edu <== NLST foo*
   deschon.isi.edu ==> 150 Opening data connection for /bin/ls
                           (128.9.1.56,1130) (0 bytes).
   deschon.isi.edu ==> 226 Transfer complete.
   deschon.isi.edu <== PASV
   deschon.isi.edu ==> 502 PASV command not implemented.
   venera.isi.edu <== PASV
   venera.isi.edu ==> 227 Entering Passive Mode (128,9,0,32,6,200)
   deschon.isi.edu <== PORT 128,9,0,32,6,200
   deschon.isi.edu ==> 200 PORT command okay.
   deschon.isi.edu <== RETR foo
   venera.isi.edu <== STOR foo
   deschon.isi.edu ==> 150 Opening data connection for foo
                           (128.9.0.32,1736) (0 bytes).
   deschon.isi.edu ==> 226 Transfer complete.
   venera.isi.edu ==> 150 Opening data connection for foo
                           (128.9.1.56,20).
   venera.isi.edu ==> 226 Transfer complete.
   venera.isi.edu <== PASV
   venera.isi.edu ==> 227 Entering Passive Mode (128,9,0,32,6,201)
   deschon.isi.edu <== PORT 128,9,0,32,6,201
   deschon.isi.edu ==> 200 PORT command okay.
   deschon.isi.edu <== RETR foo1
   venera.isi.edu <== STOR foo1
   deschon.isi.edu ==> 150 Opening data connection for foo1
                           (128.9.0.32,1737) (4 bytes).
   deschon.isi.edu ==> 226 Transfer complete.
   venera.isi.edu ==> 150 Opening data connection for foo1
                           (128.9.1.56,20).
   venera.isi.edu ==> 226 Transfer complete.
   deschon.isi.edu <== QUIT
   venera.isi.edu <== QUIT

     Tue Oct  6 10:15:39 1987: completed successfully.

Web links

Individual evidence

  1. ^ BFTP, Background File Transfer Program. Retrieved September 25, 2018 .
  2. RFC 1068 - Background File Transfer Program (BFTP). (English, August 1988, tools.ietf.org PDF).