# Upload > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Upload > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Upload.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Upload > Source revision: 1346549099 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) Computer file operation "Upload file" redirects here. For uploading a file to Wikipedia, see [Wikipedia:Upload file](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Upload_file). For other uses, see [Upload (disambiguation)](/source/Upload_(disambiguation)). Three generic symbols for uploading **Uploading** refers to *transmitting* [data](/source/Data_(computing)) from one [computer system](/source/Computer) to another through means of a [network](/source/Computer_network).[1] Common methods of uploading include: uploading via [web browsers](/source/Web_browser), [FTP](/source/FTP) [clients](/source/Client%E2%80%93server_model), and [terminals](/source/Computer_terminal) ([SCP](/source/Secure_copy)/[SFTP](/source/SSH_File_Transfer_Protocol)). Uploading can be used in the context of (potentially many) [clients](/source/Client_(computing)) that send files to a central [server](/source/Server_(computing)). While uploading can also be defined in the context of sending [files](/source/Computer_file) between [distributed](/source/Distributed_computing) clients, such as with a [peer-to-peer](/source/Peer-to-peer) (P2P) file-sharing [protocol](/source/Communication_protocol) like [BitTorrent](/source/BitTorrent), the term [file sharing](/source/File_sharing) is more often used in this case. Moving files within a computer system, as opposed to over a network, is called [file copying](/source/File_copying). Uploading directly contrasts with [downloading](/source/Download), where data is *received* over a network. In the case of users uploading files over the [internet](/source/Internet), uploading is often slower than downloading as many [internet service providers](/source/Internet_service_provider) (ISPs) offer [asymmetric connections](/source/Asymmetric_digital_subscriber_line), which offer more network [bandwidth](/source/Bandwidth_(computing)) for downloading than uploading. ## Definition To transfer something (such as data or files), from a computer or other digital device to the [memory](/source/Computer_memory) of another device (such as a larger or remote computer) especially via the internet.[2] ## Historical development Remote [file sharing](/source/File_sharing) first came into fruition in January 1978, when [Ward Christensen](/source/Ward_Christensen) and [Randy Suess](/source/Randy_Suess), who were members of the Chicago Area Computer Hobbyists' Exchange (CACHE), created the [Computerized Bulletin Board System](/source/CBBS) (CBBS). This used an early file transfer protocol (MODEM, later [XMODEM](/source/XMODEM)) to send [binary files](/source/Binary_file) via a hardware [modem](/source/Modem), accessible by another modem via a [telephone number](/source/Telephone_number).[3] In the following years, new protocols such as [Kermit](/source/Kermit_(protocol)) were released,[4] until the [File Transfer Protocol](/source/File_Transfer_Protocol) (FTP) was standardized 1985 ([RFC](/source/RFC_(identifier)) [959](https://www.rfc-editor.org/rfc/rfc959)). FTP is based on [TCP/IP](/source/Internet_protocol_suite) and gave rise to many FTP clients, which, in turn, gave users all around the world access to the same standard [network protocol](/source/Communication_protocol) to transfer data between devices. The transfer of data saw a significant increase in popularity after the release of the [World Wide Web](/source/World_Wide_Web) in 1991, which, for the first time, allowed users who were not computer hobbyists to easily share files, directly from their web browser over [HTTP](/source/Hypertext_Transfer_Protocol).[5] ### Resumability of file transfers Transfers became more reliable with the launch of HTTP/1.1 in 1997 ([RFC](/source/RFC_(identifier)) [2068](https://www.rfc-editor.org/rfc/rfc2068)), which gave users the option to resume downloads that were interrupted, for instance due to unreliable connections. Before web browsers widely rolled out support, software programs like [GetRight](/source/GetRight) could be used to resume downloads. Resuming uploads is not currently supported by HTTP, but can be added with the [Tus open protocol for resumable file uploads](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Tus_open_protocol_for_resumable_file_uploads&action=edit&redlink=1), which layers resumability of uploads on top of existing HTTP connections.[6][7] ## Types of uploading ### Client-to-server uploading Transmitting a local file to a remote system following the [client–server model](/source/Client%E2%80%93server_model), e.g., a web browser transferring a video to a website, is called **client-to-server uploading**. ### Remote uploading Transferring data from one [remote system](/source/Remote_administration) to another remote system under the control of a local system is called **remote uploading** or site-to-site transferring. This is used when a local computer has a slow connection to the remote systems, but these systems have a fast connection between them. Without remote uploading functionality, the data would have to first be downloaded to the local system and then uploaded to the remote server, both times over a slower connection. Remote uploading is used by some online [file hosting services](/source/Comparison_of_file_hosting_services). Another example can be found in FTP clients, which often support the [File eXchange Protocol](/source/File_eXchange_Protocol) (FXP) in order to instruct two FTP servers with high-speed connections to exchange files. A web-based example is the [Uppy file uploader](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Uppy_file_uploader&action=edit&redlink=1) that can transfer files from a user's [cloud storage](/source/Cloud_storage) such as [Dropbox](/source/Dropbox_(service)), directly to a website without first going to the user's device.[8] ### Peer-to-peer **Peer-to-peer** (P2P) is a [decentralized](/source/Distributed_computing) communications model in which each party has the same capabilities, and either party can initiate a communication session. Unlike the client–server model, in which the client makes a service request and the server fulfils the request (by sending or accepting a file transfer), the [P2P](/source/Peer-to-peer) network model allows each [node](/source/Node_(networking)) to function as both client and server. [BitTorrent](/source/BitTorrent) is an example of this, as is the [InterPlanetary File System](/source/InterPlanetary_File_System) (IPFS). Peer-to-peer allows users to both *receive* (download) and *host* (upload) content. Files are transferred directly between the users' computers. The same file transfer constitutes an upload for one party, and a download for the other party. ## Copyright issues The rising popularity of file sharing during the 1990s culminated in the emergence of [Napster](/source/Napster), a music-sharing [platform](/source/Computing_platform) specialized in [MP3](/source/MP3) files that used peer-to-peer (P2P) file-sharing technology to allow users exchange files freely. The P2P nature meant there was no central gatekeeper for the content, which eventually led to the widespread availability of [copyrighted](/source/Copyright) material through Napster. The [Recording Industry Association of America](/source/Recording_Industry_Association_of_America) (RIAA) took notice of Napster's ability to distribute copyrighted music among its user base, and, on December 6, 1999, filed a [motion](/source/A%26M_Records%2C_Inc._v._Napster%2C_Inc._(2000)) for a [preliminary injunction](/source/Injunction) in order to stop the exchange of copyrighted songs on the service. After a failed appeal by Napster, the injunction was granted on March 5, 2001.[9] On September 24, 2001, Napster, which had already shut down its entire network two months earlier,[10] agreed to pay a $26 million dollar settlement.[11] After Napster had ceased operations, many other P2P file-sharing services also shut down, such as [Limewire](/source/Limewire), [Kazaa](/source/Kazaa) and [Popcorn Time](/source/Popcorn_Time). Besides [software programs](/source/Software), there were many [BitTorrent websites](/source/Comparison_of_BitTorrent_sites) that allowed files to be indexed and searched. These files could then be downloaded via a [BitTorrent client](/source/Comparison_of_BitTorrent_clients). While the BitTorrent protocol itself is legal and agnostic of the type of content shared, many of the services that did not enforce a strict policy to take down copyrighted material would eventually also run into legal difficulties.[12][13] ## See also - [Bandwidth](/source/Bandwidth_(computing)) - [Comparison of file transfer protocols](/source/Comparison_of_file_transfer_protocols) - [Computer network](/source/Computer_network) - [Data](/source/Data) - [Download](/source/Download) - [File sharing](/source/File_sharing) - [Lftp](/source/Lftp) - [Sideload](/source/Sideloading) - [Timeline of file sharing](/source/Timeline_of_file_sharing) - [Upload components](/source/Upload_components) ## References 1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** ["What is Uploading? Definition from WhatIs.com"](https://whatis.techtarget.com/definition/uploading). *WhatIs.com*. Retrieved 11 June 2020. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** ["Definition of Upload"](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/upload). *Merriam Webster*. Retrieved 11 June 2020. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** Christensen, Suess. ["The Birth of the BBS. By Ward and Randy (1989)"](https://www.chinet.com/html/cbbs.php). Retrieved 11 June 2020. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-dacruz19860320_4-0)** da Cruz, Frank (1986-03-20). ["Re: Printable Encodings for Binary Files"](http://www.columbia.edu/kermit/ftp/e/mail.86a). *Info-Kermit Digest* (Mailing list). Kermit Project, Columbia University. Retrieved 11 June 2020. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** Enzer, Larry (August 31, 2018). ["The Evolution of the World Wide Web"](https://web.archive.org/web/20181118231641/https://www.mwdwebsites.com/nj-web-design-world-wide-web.html). *Monmouth Web Developers*. Archived from [the original](https://www.mwdwebsites.com/nj-web-design-world-wide-web.html) on 18 November 2018. Retrieved August 31, 2018. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** Van Zonneveld, Kevin (16 November 2015). ["tus 1.0 – Changing the future of uploading"](https://web.archive.org/web/20200612125018/https://tus.io/blog/2015/11/16/tus.1.0.html). Archived from [the original](https://tus.io/blog/2015/11/16/tus.1.0.html) on 12 June 2020. Retrieved 11 June 2020. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** Keane, Jonathan (16 November 2015). ["Berlin-based Transloadit wants to fix broken file uploads once and for all, with support from Vimeo"](https://tech.eu/features/6672/transloadit-tus-protocol-vimeo). *Tech EU*. Retrieved 11 June 2020. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** Walsh, David (11 June 2018). ["Uppy File Uploading"](https://davidwalsh.name/uppy-file-uploading). Retrieved 11 June 2020. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** 2001 US Dist. LEXIS 2186 (N.D. Cal. Mar. 5, 2001), aff’d, 284 F. 3d 1091 (9th Cir. 2002) 1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** Richtel, Matt (12 July 2001). ["Napster is told to remain shut"](https://www.nytimes.com/2001/07/12/technology/ebusiness/napster-is-told-to-remain-shut.html). *[The New York Times](/source/The_New_York_Times)*. Retrieved 11 June 2020. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** Borland, John (2 March 2002). ["Napster reaches settlement with publishers"](https://www.cnet.com/news/napster-reaches-settlement-with-publishers). Retrieved 11 June 2020. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** Jacobson Purewall, Sarah (27 October 2010). ["LimeWire shut down permanently"](https://www.pcworld.com/article/208895/Limewire_Shut_Down_Permanently.html). Retrieved 11 June 2020. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** Evers, Joris (30 November 2001). ["Judge orders shut-down of popular Napster-like site"](http://edition.cnn.com/2001/TECH/internet/11/30/KaZaA.shut.down.idg/index.html). Retrieved 11 June 2020. ## External links Look up ***[uploading](https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/uploading)*** in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. Wikimedia Commons has media related to [SVG upload icons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:SVG_upload_icons). - [An All Too-Brief History of File Sharing](https://www.smartfile.com/blog/an-all-too-brief-history-of-file-sharing) --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Upload](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Upload) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Upload?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.