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

Question

The title says it all.

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 1

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?

Answer 2

The upload in HTTP is usualy limited as the server has to wait until the (mostly slow) upload is finished to respond to the request.

Answer 3

If you're having problems, perhaps you're running into this issue? http://support.microsoft.com/kb/298618

Answer 4

There are no such limitation by-design in protocols you said. Only timeouts on concrete servers

Answer 5

And one important question - are you going to upload or download?

I could say that downloading has significantly less limitations that uploading. I don't know why. Maybe because main purpose of HTTP and FTP is sending data, not receiving.

That's why HTTP/FTP servers could break upload session more frequently rather then downloading session.