The FTP plugin includes a number of time-saving and performance-improving features:
Remote directory listings are cached. Changing files from within jEdit will automatically update the cache as necessary. However, if changes are made from another program, you will need to clear the cache manually using the Clear Remote Directory Cache command in the Plugins>FTP menu.
Passwords are remembered while jEdit is running so you don't have to re-type them. Passwords are not saved to disk and therefore are forgotten when jEdit exits. To force jEdit to forget all passwords while it is running, use the Forget Remote Passwords command in the Plugins>FTP menu.
FTP and SFTP connections are kept open for 2 minutes before being closed. Performing another operation while a connection is still open resets the 2 minute timer. This improves performance by reducing network traffic.
You can close unused connections at any other time using the Close Unused Connections command in the Plugins>FTP menu.