What is the maximum file size I can transfer using HTTP? And using FTP?

http ftp file-transfer
Thiago Chaves picture Thiago Chaves · Jan 20, 2009 · Viewed 79.2k times · Source

Added: I am conducting a study for a new system we're going to develop in my work. It consists in authenticating users, displaying what files they want to download and downloading them. Also, if the files are not readily available, the user can't download them, but the server obtains a copy of the requested file and notifies the user by mail when he can get the file. We expect files to be tipically from 2 to 50 gigabytes in size, for now.

I just want to check if it's possible to write a Web application to solve the problem or if we need to make a client-server solution.

Answer

Michael Haren picture Michael Haren · Jan 20, 2009

There is no maximum. Any max you are encountering is application specific or site specific.

I've downloaded DVD isos from Microsoft using HTTP and FTP without issue (~4gb).

I've also uploaded huge files via both methods.

Can you elaborate on what you're trying to do?

Related questions

Comparing HTTP and FTP for transferring files

What are the advantages (or limitations) of one over the other for transferring files over the Internet? (I am aware of secure forms of both protocols. I'd like to hear comparisons through personal experiences in terms of performance, reliability, file …

Read More
What is the fastest way to transfer files over a network (FTP, HTTP, RSync, etc.)

I'm trying to figure out the best way to transfer large amounts of data over a network between two systems. I am currently looking into either FTP, HTTP, or RSync, and I am wondering which one is the fastest. I've …

Read More
Choosing buffer size for FTP and HTTP transfers

How does one choose the size of a buffer (bytes I read from or write to socket) for the maximum throughput when implementing a low-level HTTP and FTP transfer? My application should transfer data with HTTP or FTP on connections …

Read More