FTP

FTP, or File Transfer Protocol, is a well-established protocol for sending data using the client/server model.

ExpanDrive's FTP connection supports FTPS connections using TLS/SSL. Do not confuse FTPS with SSH (SFTP) which uses the SSH protocol to exchange information securely using private/public key pairs.

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

The password for your access to the FTP server. Your password is saved securely in the macOS Keychain or the Windows credentials vault.

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, you are creating an insecure, unencrypted connection. Any data, including your passwords, are sent in plaintext. Avoid this option unless it is the only type of FTP connection your server can accept.

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

The number of the port for connecting to FTP. If you do not specify a port, ExpanDrive will connect on port 21. You can enter a different value if the server requires it. Some organizations are required to use non-default ports for compliance or security policy reasons.

Remote path

The remote path allows you to enter a path on the remote server which limits which directory will be the top-most directory visible through this connection. Specify the absolute path to the directory, 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.