FTP/FTPS

FTP, or File Transfer Protocol, transfers files between a client and server.

ExpanDrive also supports FTPS, which protects FTP with TLS. FTPS is different from SFTP, which transfers files over SSH and supports SSH key authentication.

Connection Parameters

Server

The address of the server you are connecting to. You can use a domain name or an IP address to connect.

Username

This is the username assigned for your access to the FTP server.

Password

Enter the password for the FTP account. ExpanDrive stores it in your operating system's credential store.

Security

ExpanDrive can create unencrypted FTP sessions, or secure your FTP sessions using TLS/SSL, or TLS/SSL (login only).

Unencrypted FTP Connection

When you select FTP security, the connection is unencrypted. Credentials and file contents are sent in plaintext. Avoid this option unless it is the only connection type the server accepts.

FTP with TLS/SSL Connection

An FTP connection uses two separate channels: the control connection and the data connection. The control connection is used to send the username and password and other commands. Files are transferred over the data connection.

Selecting FTP with TLS/SSL security creates a connection where both the control connection and the data connections are encrypted. This is the most secure FTP connection you can create with ExpanDrive.

FTP with TLS/SSL (Login Only)

An FTP connection uses two separate channels: the control connection and the data connection. The control connection is used to send the username and password and other commands. Files are transferred over the data connection.

When you create a connection using TLS/SSL (login only), the control channel of your connection will be encrypted but the data channel of your connection will not be secure. It is rare to find this type of connection, and most servers that support encrypting the control channel will also support encrypting the data channel. If your remote server supports the FTP with TLS/SSL security type, use that instead of this option because the minor performance decrease of additional encryption is greatly outweighed by the increased security.

Port

If you do not specify a port, ExpanDrive connects on port 21. Enter a different value only when the server requires it.

Remote Path

The remote path sets the top-level directory visible through this connection. Enter an absolute path such as /home/user/inbox.

One reason to specify this path is to create a connection to a single specific directory, which can simplify operations on your computer, allowing you to interact directly with the mount folder rather than repeatedly navigating through subfolders.

This setting is also useful if your FTP provider has granted you access to a deeply nested path but does not automatically change your session to that folder.

Nickname

The nickname identifies this connection on your machine. This name is used as the volume label on the mounted drive.