TFTP Vs. FTP: The Networking Perspective

[tfortunato]

http://www.networkcomputing.com/networking/tftp-vs-ftp-networking-perspective/27851147

In this video, Tony Fortunato shows how TFTP can be problematic when transferring files between network devices.

In the past, transferring files to or from networking equipment wasn’t as common as it is now. I suspect this is largely due to many factors, including vendors updating their software to meet ever-challenging security risks and clients' interest in logs that may reside on the unit.

[Philip D'Ath]

I tend to use http myself.  You don't have to worry about active/passive mode, and pretty much every Cisco device supports copying a file from an http device.

The second option I use is usually scp, since it runs over ssh.

[Joseph W. Doherty]

Do you have a question?

The major issue with tftp, it generally sends a (small) block and waits for an application ACK, where FTP uses TCP windowing.  With typical WAN latencies, FTP will generally transfer data on such paths much faster.  On LANs, with little latency (and/or drops), tftp will hold its own, and for some transfers, might even perform better than FTP.

[Leo Laohoo]

Do you have a question?

Tony doesn't have a question.  He's just advertising his link.  :)

[tfortunato]

apologies, I posted this in the support forum.