Question

Difficulty: Very hardTFTP and FTP Operations for System Images and Configuration Management

A network administrator must transfer multi-gigabyte Cisco IOS XE system software images across an enterprise WAN link to remote routers. The administrator is evaluating file transfer protocols for reliability, session management, and access control. Which two characteristics or operational behaviors distinguish FTP from TFTP, making FTP more appropriate for this large image transfer scenario? (Select TWO.)

  1. FTP utilizes TCP as its transport protocol, establishing connection-oriented sessions with sequence acknowledgment and windowing to ensure reliable delivery of large files.Answer
  2. FTP supports authentication using credentials and operates separate control (TCP port 21) and data (TCP port 20) channels for session management.Answer
  3. C
    FTP operates using UDP port 69, which minimizes transport protocol overhead to achieve faster transmission speeds over lossy WAN links.
  4. D
    FTP leverages connectionless data streams to automatically recover from dropped packets without requiring TCP connection state tracking.

Answer

FTP is distinguished by its use of TCP for reliable, connection-oriented transfers with windowing and sequence tracking, as well as its support for user authentication and dual-channel operation over TCP ports 20 and 21.
FTP uses TCP as its underlying transport protocol, providing reliable end-to-end flow control, sequencing, and error recovery vital for large file transfers over WANs. Additionally, FTP supports user authentication and separates control management (TCP port 21) from data transmission (TCP port 20).

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze transport protocol characteristics for TFTP and FTP.
TFTP uses UDP (port 69) which is connectionless and unauthenticated, while FTP uses TCP (ports 20 and 21) which is connection-oriented, reliable, and authenticated.
Large Cisco IOS image transfers over WAN links require connection reliability, flow control, and access control.
2
Evaluate features that support multi-gigabyte WAN file transfers.
TCP windowing, sequencing, and error recovery in FTP prevent corruption or transfer aborts upon minor packet drops, unlike basic lock-step TFTP mechanisms.
FTP's separate control (port 21) and data (port 20) channels combined with credential checking enable controlled, robust file transfers.

Key Concept

FTP vs TFTP protocol mechanics, transport ports, and reliability features for system image transfers
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