File eXchange Protocol (FXP) is a method of transferring data directly between two remote servers using FTP. The client initiates the transfer, but the data flows server-to-server, bypassing the client’s machine. A common application that historically utilized this protocol is FTP client software designed for managing and transferring files between servers.
The use of server-to-server transfers offered advantages in speed and reduced bandwidth consumption for the client. This was particularly beneficial for large file transfers or situations where the client had limited bandwidth. While prevalent in the past, direct server-to-server transfers are less common now due to security concerns and the availability of alternative, more secure file transfer methods like SFTP and SCP.