--- name: cloud-object-storage-ftp title: Comparing IBM Cloud Object Storage to FTP description: The File Transfer Protocol, (FTP) is a popular way to transfer files, but how does it compare to IBM Cloud® Object Storage? last-updated: 2020-05-15 --- > ## Documentation Index > The table of contents for this documentation set is at https://cloud.ibm.com/docs/cloud-object-storage?format=markdown > The index for all IBM Cloud docs is at: https://cloud.ibm.com/docs/llms.txt > Use these files to discover more information as needed. # Comparing IBM Cloud Object Storage to FTP {: #compare-ftp} The File Transfer Protocol, (FTP) is a popular way to transfer files, but how does it compare to IBM Cloud® Object Storage? {: shortdesc} IBM Cloud Object Storage stores encrypted and dispersed data across multiple geographic locations. The information is accessible over popular protocols like HTTPS using a modern RESTful API. FTP, by contrast, requires both a client and a server application and uses an insecure protocol by default. Object Storage does all the work of the server FTP daemon (`ftpd`) and offers more options for security and validation than can be obtained from `ftpd` or similar services. ## How IBM Cloud Object Storage is similar to FTP {: #compare-ftp-similarities} If you've used FTP in the past, you have either worked from the command line or from a client application that uses a GUI. Cyberduck is a popular, open source, and easy-to-use graphical interface for either IBM Cloud Object Storage or FTP. Cyberduck provides full operational visibility in connecting to IBM Cloud Object Storage. Cyberduck is downloaded from [cyberduck.io/](https://cyberduck.io/){: external}. Once you have it installed, you can configure it to connect to your instance of Object Storage. Use Cyberduck to create a connection to IBM Cloud Object Storage. Then, synchronize a folder of local files to a bucket. After you complete [getting started](https://cloud.ibm.com/docs/cloud-object-storage?topic=cloud-object-storage-getting-started-cloud-object-storage&format=markdown) Object Storage and obtained your [credentials](https://cloud.ibm.com/docs/cloud-object-storage?topic=cloud-object-storage-service-credentials&format=markdown), follow these steps: 1. Download, install, and start Cyberduck. 1. When the application opens, you can create a connection to Object Storage. Click **Open Connection** to configure the connection. 1. A pop-up window opens. From the menu, select the option, `Amazon S3`. Enter your information into the following fields: * `Server`: enter the appropriate endpoint for your data at IBM Cloud Object Storage Ensure that the endpoint region matches the intended bucket. For more information about endpoints, see [Endpoints and storage locations](https://cloud.ibm.com/docs/cloud-object-storage?topic=cloud-object-storage-endpoints&format=markdown#endpoints).{: important} * `Access Key ID` generated by selecting the appropriate HMAC option when creating a [Service Credential](https://cloud.ibm.com/docs/cloud-object-storage?topic=cloud-object-storage-service-credentials&format=markdown); * `Secret Access Key` also from the HMAC option. * `Add to Keychain`: Save the configuration to the your personal keychain *(optional)*. * Ignore the other options like the `Anonymous Login` checkbox, and `SSH Private Key`. 1. Cyberduck takes you to the root of the account where buckets can be created. * Right-click within the main pane and select **New Folder**. Cyberduck supports many transfer protocols where Folder is the more common name for a container construct. {: tip} * Enter the bucket name and then click Create. 1. After the bucket is created, double-click the bucket to view it. Within the bucket you can perform various functions such as: * Upload files to the bucket * List bucket contents * Download objects from the bucket * Synchronize local files to a bucket * Synchronize objects to another bucket * Create an archive of a bucket 1. Right-click within the bucket and select **Synchronize**. A pop-up window opens where you can browse to the folder that you want to synchronize to the bucket. Select the folder and click Choose. 1. After you select the folder, a new pop-up window opens. Here, a drop-down menu is available where you select the synchronization operation with the bucket. Three possible synchronize options are available from the menu: * `Download`: This downloads changed and missing objects from the bucket. * `Upload`: This uploads changed and missing files to the bucket. * `Mirror`: This performs both download and upload operations, ensuring that all new and updated files and objects are synchronized between the local folder and the bucket. ## How Object Storage is different from FTP {: #compare-ftp-differences} Technically speaking, there are more differences than similarities between FTP and Object Storage. Starting from the convenience of not having to run a server application like `ftpd` and continuing through the security of using a secure protocol like HTTPS, the list of differences is lengthy and significant. ## Next Steps {: #compare-ftp-next-steps} Can FTP provide an [API](https://cloud.ibm.com/docs/cloud-object-storage?topic=cloud-object-storage-compatibility-api&format=markdown) or [libraries](https://cloud.ibm.com/docs/cloud-object-storage?topic=cloud-object-storage-sdk-about&format=markdown)? We think not! Learn more about what is available for [developers](https://cloud.ibm.com/docs/cloud-object-storage?topic=cloud-object-storage-gs-dev&format=markdown) of IBM Cloud Object Storage.