Which of the following understanding of FTP passive transfer mode is correct?

Question

Options

• AThe server initiates a request to establish a data connection
• BThe FTP server will use the pasv command to tell the FTP client its own IP and port number
• CThe target port number for initiating a data connection request may be 29999
• DThe FTP client will use the pasy command to tell the FTP server its own IP and port number

• A
  18% (6)
• B
  71% (24)
• C
  3% (1)
• D
  9% (3)

Explanation

In FTP passive mode, the client sends the PASV command to the server, and the server responds by providing its own IP address and a dynamically assigned port number - so the server is the one communicating where the client should connect for data transfer, making B correct.

Why the distractors are wrong:

• A describes active mode, where the server initiates the data connection back to the client - in passive mode, the client initiates both the control and data connections.
• C is a trap: while passive mode ports are dynamic high ports (above 1023), there's nothing special about 29999 specifically, and citing a random port as defining behavior misrepresents how passive mode works.
• D flips the roles and invents a command - pasy does not exist; it's the client that sends PASV, and it's the server (not the client) that replies with the IP/port details.

Memory tip: Think of passive as the server being "passive" - it waits for the client to connect to it. The server tells the client "here's my door (IP + port), come knock on it," which is exactly what option B describes.

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