ncftp

ncftp [options] [remote-host]

-u username
    Specify the username to use for the FTP connection.

-p password
    Specify the password to use for the FTP connection.

-P port
    Specify the port number to connect to on the remote host.

-d level
    Set debugging level (1-99).

-v
    Verbose mode. Shows more information during the transfer.

-a
    Use ASCII transfer mode.

-t seconds
    Set timeout in seconds.

-r retries
    Set the number of retries for failed transfers.

-T secs
    Set idle timeout in seconds.

-c
    Cache host information in ~/.ncftp/hosts.

remote-host
    The hostname or IP address of the FTP server to connect to.

NcFTP is a suite of application programs implementing the File Transfer Protocol (FTP). It's designed as a user-friendly alternative to the standard command-line FTP client. NcFTP is known for its robustness, ease of use, and enhanced features, including background processing, bookmarking, and automated retries, making it a powerful tool for file transfers. It simplifies common FTP tasks by providing a more intuitive interface and handling complexities like passive mode and firewalls automatically.

NcFTP includes several programs: ncftp (interactive FTP client), ncftpput (for transferring files), ncftpget (for retrieving files), ncftpls (for directory listings), and ncftpbatch (for batch processing). These tools are especially helpful when working with multiple FTP servers or needing reliable, unattended file transfers. It's focused on making file transfers more convenient and efficient.

NcFTP supports bookmarking frequently accessed FTP sites. Bookmarks can be managed using the `bookmark` command within the ncftp interface. This allows quick access to saved server configurations.

NcFTP allows you to initiate file transfers in the background. This is useful for transferring large files without blocking the terminal. Background processes can be managed and monitored within the NcFTP interface.

NcFTP is designed to work with firewalls and passive mode. It attempts to automatically detect and handle firewall configurations, making it easier to connect to FTP servers behind firewalls.

NcFTP was developed by Mike Gleason in the early 1990s as a more user-friendly and feature-rich alternative to the standard command-line FTP client. It gained popularity due to its enhanced features like background processing and bookmarking, which simplified common FTP tasks. Over time, it became a widely used tool for both interactive and automated file transfers. The development focused on improving reliability and ease of use, making it a preferred choice for many system administrators and developers.

ftp(1), ncftpput(1), ncftpget(1), ncftpls(1), wget(1), curl(1)