We need to copy archivelogs from our production server to a different box. If we use ftp to do it, do we do it in ascii mode?

Also can we use cp command in unix to copy from one server to another? for example how do I write a command to copy from server1 & directory a to server 2 & directory b? Lets say I am on server 1 & directory a where the logs are, how do I cp a file to server 2 & directory b? Thanks.