Highest Layer of Protocol Stack for Verifying Host Configuration | Cisco Exam

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FTP belongs to Application layer and it is also the highest layer of the OSI model.

The highest layer of the protocol stack that the network administrator is using for this operation is the application layer.

The application layer is the highest layer of the OSI (Open Systems Interconnection) model, and it provides services that directly support user applications. It is responsible for identifying and establishing the availability of communication partners, synchronizing communication, and establishing privacy and integrity of data exchanged between the applications.

FTP (File Transfer Protocol) is an application layer protocol used for transferring files between hosts over a TCP/IP network. Therefore, when the network administrator establishes an FTP connection to a remote server, they are using the application layer protocol to initiate and control the transfer of files.

The other layers of the OSI model are:

• Presentation layer: responsible for the formatting and representation of data exchanged between systems
• Session layer: responsible for establishing, maintaining and terminating connections between applications
• Transport layer: responsible for reliable transmission of data segments between end-user applications, and it ensures that data is transmitted error-free and in sequence
• Network layer: responsible for routing data between networks and for addressing and controlling the flow of data to ensure that it reaches its destination
• Data link layer: responsible for transferring data between adjacent network nodes in a network, and it provides a means for error detection and correction.

In summary, the network administrator is using the application layer protocol, FTP, to establish a connection to a remote server and transfer files.