[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":872},["ShallowReactive",2],{"\u002Fnetwork\u002Fftp\u002Fandroid-automotive":3},{"id":4,"title":5,"body":6,"description":837,"extension":838,"meta":839,"navigation":867,"path":868,"seo":869,"stem":870,"__hash__":871},"networks\u002Fnetwork\u002Fftp\u002Fandroid-automotive.md","FTP Protocol on Android Automotive Cars — Network Transfers for Car Systems",{"type":7,"value":8,"toc":802},"minimark",[9,14,18,21,25,30,33,39,55,60,74,78,89,92,96,99,113,119,123,127,133,136,140,145,151,156,162,166,204,208,212,215,282,288,292,295,309,313,316,336,339,343,347,350,377,380,384,387,402,406,409,420,424,427,517,523,527,531,542,546,572,576,590,594,598,601,635,638,642,645,677,681,757,763,767,798],[10,11,13],"h2",{"id":12},"ftp-protocol-on-android-automotive-technical-deep-dive","FTP Protocol on Android Automotive — Technical Deep Dive",[15,16,17],"p",{},"Your car's Android Automotive infotainment system communicates with FTP servers using the same protocol stack as any networked device. The key difference is context: transfers happen primarily while parked on home WiFi, the car's power management affects connection persistence, and the large touchscreen makes server navigation comfortable.",[15,19,20],{},"This page covers protocol-level specifics for FTP on automotive hardware — connection mechanics, power state handling, WiFi considerations, and server optimization for car-based file transfers.",[10,22,24],{"id":23},"network-architecture-in-automotive-context","Network Architecture in Automotive Context",[26,27,29],"h3",{"id":28},"car-wifi-connectivity","Car WiFi Connectivity",[15,31,32],{},"Android Automotive vehicles connect to WiFi in two scenarios:",[15,34,35],{},[36,37,38],"strong",{},"Home\u002Fknown WiFi (primary for FTP):",[40,41,42,46,49,52],"ul",{},[43,44,45],"li",{},"Car parked in garage\u002Fdriveway within home WiFi range",[43,47,48],{},"Strong, stable connection",[43,50,51],{},"Full speed access to local network resources",[43,53,54],{},"FTP servers on same LAN accessible directly",[15,56,57],{},[36,58,59],{},"Mobile hotspot\u002Fpublic WiFi:",[40,61,62,65,68,71],{},[43,63,64],{},"Phone or portable hotspot connection",[43,66,67],{},"Variable speed and stability",[43,69,70],{},"Can access internet FTP servers (not recommended for security)",[43,72,73],{},"Limited bandwidth",[26,75,77],{"id":76},"ftp-data-flow","FTP Data Flow",[79,80,85],"pre",{"className":81,"code":83,"language":84},[82],"language-text","[Car Infotainment] ←WiFi→ [Router] ←Ethernet→ [NAS\u002FFTP Server]\n         ↑                                           ↑\n    AnExplorer FTP client               FTP server (port 21)\n    Passive data channels               Passive port range\n","text",[86,87,83],"code",{"__ignoreMap":88},"",[15,90,91],{},"All traffic flows through the home router. The car is just another client on the network, like a phone or laptop. No special infrastructure needed.",[26,93,95],{"id":94},"ip-configuration","IP Configuration",[15,97,98],{},"Most cars receive IP via DHCP from the home router:",[40,100,101,104,107,110],{},[43,102,103],{},"Car gets assigned IP (e.g., 192.168.1.X)",[43,105,106],{},"Can reach any device on same subnet",[43,108,109],{},"DNS resolution works for hostnames",[43,111,112],{},"No static IP needed on the car side",[15,114,115,118],{},[36,116,117],{},"Tip:"," Give your NAS\u002FFTP server a static IP or DHCP reservation so the car's saved FTP bookmark always connects to the right address.",[10,120,122],{"id":121},"protocol-mechanics","Protocol Mechanics",[26,124,126],{"id":125},"connection-establishment","Connection Establishment",[79,128,131],{"className":129,"code":130,"language":84},[82],"Car → Server: TCP SYN to port 21\nServer → Car: TCP SYN-ACK\nCar → Server: TCP ACK (connection established)\nServer → Car: 220 Welcome banner\nCar → Server: USER car-sync\nServer → Car: 331 Password required\nCar → Server: PASS ********\nServer → Car: 230 Login successful\n",[86,132,130],{"__ignoreMap":88},[15,134,135],{},"Standard FTP handshake. The car's Android network stack handles TCP establishment. AnExplorer manages the FTP protocol layer.",[26,137,139],{"id":138},"transfer-operations","Transfer Operations",[15,141,142],{},[36,143,144],{},"Download (RETR):",[79,146,149],{"className":147,"code":148,"language":84},[82],"Car → Server: TYPE I (binary mode)\nCar → Server: PASV\nServer → Car: 227 (passive port: server:50001)\nCar → Server: RETR \u002Fmedia\u002Fmusic\u002Falbum\u002Ftrack.flac\nCar ← Server: [file data flows on passive connection]\nServer → Car: 226 Transfer complete\n",[86,150,148],{"__ignoreMap":88},[15,152,153],{},[36,154,155],{},"Upload (STOR):",[79,157,160],{"className":158,"code":159,"language":84},[82],"Car → Server: PASV\nServer → Car: 227 (passive port)\nCar → Server: STOR \u002Fupload\u002Fdashcam\u002F2024-01-15.mp4\nCar → Server: [file data flows from car]\nCar → Server: 226 Transfer complete\n",[86,161,159],{"__ignoreMap":88},[26,163,165],{"id":164},"directory-operations","Directory Operations",[40,167,168,174,180,186,192,198],{},[43,169,170,173],{},[36,171,172],{},"LIST:"," Full directory listing (used for browsing)",[43,175,176,179],{},[36,177,178],{},"NLST:"," Name-only listing (lighter, faster)",[43,181,182,185],{},[36,183,184],{},"MKD:"," Create directory (for upload organization)",[43,187,188,191],{},[36,189,190],{},"CWD:"," Change directory (navigation)",[43,193,194,197],{},[36,195,196],{},"PWD:"," Print working directory (current location)",[43,199,200,203],{},[36,201,202],{},"SIZE:"," Get file size before download",[10,205,207],{"id":206},"automotive-specific-considerations","Automotive-Specific Considerations",[26,209,211],{"id":210},"power-management","Power Management",[15,213,214],{},"Car infotainment systems have unique power states:",[216,217,218,234],"table",{},[219,220,221],"thead",{},[222,223,224,228,231],"tr",{},[225,226,227],"th",{},"State",[225,229,230],{},"WiFi",[225,232,233],{},"FTP impact",[235,236,237,249,260,271],"tbody",{},[222,238,239,243,246],{},[240,241,242],"td",{},"Engine on, parked",[240,244,245],{},"✅ Active",[240,247,248],{},"Full FTP capability",[222,250,251,254,257],{},[240,252,253],{},"Engine off, display on",[240,255,256],{},"✅ Usually active",[240,258,259],{},"FTP works until system sleeps",[222,261,262,265,268],{},[240,263,264],{},"Engine off, display off",[240,266,267],{},"⚠️ May timeout",[240,269,270],{},"Connection may drop",[222,272,273,276,279],{},[240,274,275],{},"Deep sleep",[240,277,278],{},"❌ Off",[240,280,281],{},"No network access",[15,283,284,287],{},[36,285,286],{},"For reliable FTP:"," Keep the car \"awake\" during transfers. On most vehicles, having the infotainment display active keeps WiFi alive. Some vehicles allow \"accessory mode\" (ignition to ACC) which maintains system power without running the engine.",[26,289,291],{"id":290},"thermal-considerations","Thermal Considerations",[15,293,294],{},"The car's compute hardware may thermal throttle in extreme temperatures:",[40,296,297,300,303,306],{},[43,298,299],{},"Hot car in sun: CPU throttling may slow transfers",[43,301,302],{},"Cold car in winter: Battery may limit system power",[43,304,305],{},"Climate control helps: conditioning the cabin also keeps electronics comfortable",[43,307,308],{},"Impact on FTP: Slightly slower transfers under thermal load, but functional",[26,310,312],{"id":311},"storage-systems","Storage Systems",[15,314,315],{},"Android Automotive vehicles have:",[40,317,318,324,330],{},[43,319,320,323],{},[36,321,322],{},"Internal flash storage:"," 32-128 GB typically. Fast I\u002FO. Primary download destination.",[43,325,326,329],{},[36,327,328],{},"USB drives:"," Connected via car's USB ports. Speed depends on USB version and drive.",[43,331,332,335],{},[36,333,334],{},"SD card slots:"," Some vehicles include these. Similar to USB performance.",[15,337,338],{},"FTP downloads write to whichever storage you navigate to in AnExplorer. Internal storage is fastest; USB is more portable.",[10,340,342],{"id":341},"server-optimization-for-car-use","Server Optimization for Car Use",[26,344,346],{"id":345},"timeout-configuration","Timeout configuration",[15,348,349],{},"Cars may navigate slowly (touch interface, brief interruptions). Set server timeouts generously:",[79,351,355],{"className":352,"code":353,"language":354,"meta":88,"style":88},"language-ini shiki shiki-themes material-theme-lighter material-theme material-theme-palenight","# Server-side recommended settings\nidle_session_timeout=300    # 5 minutes idle before disconnect\ndata_connection_timeout=300  # 5 minutes for data channel\n","ini",[86,356,357,365,371],{"__ignoreMap":88},[358,359,362],"span",{"class":360,"line":361},"line",1,[358,363,364],{},"# Server-side recommended settings\n",[358,366,368],{"class":360,"line":367},2,[358,369,370],{},"idle_session_timeout=300    # 5 minutes idle before disconnect\n",[358,372,374],{"class":360,"line":373},3,[358,375,376],{},"data_connection_timeout=300  # 5 minutes for data channel\n",[15,378,379],{},"Default timeouts (often 60 seconds) may disconnect the car during normal browsing if you pause to look at the road or interact with vehicle controls.",[26,381,383],{"id":382},"transfer-resume-rest","Transfer resume (REST)",[15,385,386],{},"Enable server-side resume support. If the car's WiFi drops mid-transfer (moved out of range, signal interference), the download can resume when connection restores:",[79,388,390],{"className":352,"code":389,"language":354,"meta":88,"style":88},"# Most servers enable this by default\n# Verify with: FEAT command should list REST STREAM\n",[86,391,392,397],{"__ignoreMap":88},[358,393,394],{"class":360,"line":361},[358,395,396],{},"# Most servers enable this by default\n",[358,398,399],{"class":360,"line":367},[358,400,401],{},"# Verify with: FEAT command should list REST STREAM\n",[26,403,405],{"id":404},"directory-listing-speed","Directory listing speed",[15,407,408],{},"For large media libraries, directory listing can be slow if there are thousands of files in one folder. Optimize:",[40,410,411,414,417],{},[43,412,413],{},"Keep folders to \u003C 100 files each for fast listing",[43,415,416],{},"Use subdirectories for organization (Artist → Album → Track)",[43,418,419],{},"Avoid very deep nesting (car touchscreen navigation is slow enough without 10 levels)",[10,421,423],{"id":422},"transfer-performance-benchmarks","Transfer Performance Benchmarks",[15,425,426],{},"Tested on typical automotive hardware:",[216,428,429,445],{},[219,430,431],{},[222,432,433,436,439,442],{},[225,434,435],{},"Content",[225,437,438],{},"File size",[225,440,441],{},"Time on 5GHz WiFi",[225,443,444],{},"Time on 2.4GHz WiFi",[235,446,447,461,475,489,503],{},[222,448,449,452,455,458],{},[240,450,451],{},"MP3 song",[240,453,454],{},"5 MB",[240,456,457],{},"\u003C 1 sec",[240,459,460],{},"1-2 sec",[222,462,463,466,469,472],{},[240,464,465],{},"FLAC album",[240,467,468],{},"400 MB",[240,470,471],{},"4-20 sec",[240,473,474],{},"20-80 sec",[222,476,477,480,483,486],{},[240,478,479],{},"Movie (1080p)",[240,481,482],{},"2 GB",[240,484,485],{},"20-100 sec",[240,487,488],{},"100-400 sec",[222,490,491,494,497,500],{},[240,492,493],{},"Podcast batch (10 eps)",[240,495,496],{},"300 MB",[240,498,499],{},"3-15 sec",[240,501,502],{},"15-60 sec",[222,504,505,508,511,514],{},[240,506,507],{},"Dashcam upload (1 hr)",[240,509,510],{},"4 GB",[240,512,513],{},"40-200 sec",[240,515,516],{},"200-800 sec",[15,518,519,522],{},[36,520,521],{},"5 GHz WiFi strongly recommended"," for the car if your router and car hardware support it. The throughput difference is 4-5x compared to 2.4 GHz.",[10,524,526],{"id":525},"security-in-automotive-context","Security in Automotive Context",[26,528,530],{"id":529},"threat-model","Threat model",[40,532,533,536,539],{},[43,534,535],{},"Car is on home WiFi → same security as any home device",[43,537,538],{},"FTP credentials at risk if someone accesses the car's system",[43,540,541],{},"Saved bookmarks with credentials accessible if car is unlocked",[26,543,545],{"id":544},"mitigations","Mitigations",[40,547,548,554,560,566],{},[43,549,550,553],{},[36,551,552],{},"Limited permission FTP account:"," The \"car-sync\" user can only access media and upload directories",[43,555,556,559],{},[36,557,558],{},"Home WiFi encryption:"," WPA2\u002FWPA3 encrypts all traffic over the air",[43,561,562,565],{},[36,563,564],{},"SFTP alternative:"," Use SFTP for encrypted connections (slightly slower but secure)",[43,567,568,571],{},[36,569,570],{},"Vehicle PIN\u002Flock:"," Protect the infotainment system with a security PIN",[26,573,575],{"id":574},"what-not-to-do","What NOT to do",[40,577,578,581,584,587],{},[43,579,580],{},"Don't expose FTP to the internet for car access outside home",[43,582,583],{},"Don't use the same FTP credentials as your admin account",[43,585,586],{},"Don't store sensitive files (banking, personal documents) in car-accessible shares",[43,588,589],{},"Don't use FTP over public WiFi or cellular without VPN",[10,591,593],{"id":592},"integration-with-automotive-workflows","Integration with Automotive Workflows",[26,595,597],{"id":596},"automated-content-pipeline","Automated content pipeline",[15,599,600],{},"Set up a server-side system that prepares content for the car:",[602,603,604,613,623],"ol",{},[43,605,606,609,610],{},[36,607,608],{},"Server script"," runs nightly: downloads podcasts, organizes music, moves content to ",[86,611,612],{},"\u002Fcar-content\u002Fnew\u002F",[43,614,615,618,619,622],{},[36,616,617],{},"Car routine"," (when parked on WiFi): connect FTP, check ",[86,620,621],{},"\u002Fnew\u002F"," folder, download fresh content",[43,624,625,628,629,631,632],{},[36,626,627],{},"After download:"," server moves files from ",[86,630,621],{}," to ",[86,633,634],{},"\u002Farchived\u002F",[15,636,637],{},"This creates a \"mailbox\" system — the server prepares, the car consumes.",[26,639,641],{"id":640},"dashcam-pipeline","Dashcam pipeline",[15,643,644],{},"For dashcam footage backup:",[602,646,647,653,659,665,671],{},[43,648,649,652],{},[36,650,651],{},"Daily driving:"," Dashcam records to car's USB\u002Finternal storage",[43,654,655,658],{},[36,656,657],{},"Evening (parked):"," Open AnExplorer → connect FTP → navigate to dashcam folder",[43,660,661,664],{},[36,662,663],{},"Upload:"," Send day's footage to NAS (server organizes by date)",[43,666,667,670],{},[36,668,669],{},"Clean up:"," Delete uploaded footage from car storage (free space)",[43,672,673,676],{},[36,674,675],{},"NAS side:"," Apply retention policy (keep last 30 days, archive events)",[10,678,680],{"id":679},"protocol-alternatives-comparison","Protocol Alternatives Comparison",[216,682,683,699],{},[219,684,685],{},[222,686,687,690,693,696],{},[225,688,689],{},"Protocol",[225,691,692],{},"Best automotive use",[225,694,695],{},"Advantage",[225,697,698],{},"Limitation",[235,700,701,715,729,743],{},[222,702,703,706,709,712],{},[240,704,705],{},"FTP",[240,707,708],{},"Bulk media loading",[240,710,711],{},"Fast, simple",[240,713,714],{},"Unencrypted",[222,716,717,720,723,726],{},[240,718,719],{},"SFTP",[240,721,722],{},"Secure transfers",[240,724,725],{},"Encrypted",[240,727,728],{},"Slower than FTP",[222,730,731,734,737,740],{},[240,732,733],{},"SMB",[240,735,736],{},"Media streaming",[240,738,739],{},"Stream without download",[240,741,742],{},"WiFi-dependent for playback",[222,744,745,748,751,754],{},[240,746,747],{},"WebDAV",[240,749,750],{},"Cloud\u002FNextcloud",[240,752,753],{},"Firewall-friendly",[240,755,756],{},"HTTPS overhead",[15,758,759,762],{},[36,760,761],{},"Recommendation for car:"," FTP for bulk loading content to internal storage. SMB for streaming media you don't want to store locally. SFTP if security is a concern.",[10,764,766],{"id":765},"related-guides","Related Guides",[40,768,769,777,784,791],{},[43,770,771,776],{},[772,773,775],"a",{"href":774},"\u002Ffeatures\u002Fftp-client\u002Fandroid-automotive","FTP Client for Android Automotive"," — FTP feature overview",[43,778,779,783],{},[772,780,782],{"href":781},"\u002Ffeatures\u002Fvideo-player\u002Fandroid-automotive","Video Player for Android Automotive"," — play downloaded video",[43,785,786,790],{},[772,787,789],{"href":788},"\u002Fnetwork\u002Fwebdav\u002Fandroid-automotive","WebDAV on Android Automotive"," — alternative protocol",[43,792,793,797],{},[772,794,796],{"href":795},"\u002Ffeatures\u002Fmusic-player\u002Fandroid-tv","Music Player for Android TV"," — similar audio setup",[799,800,801],"style",{},"html .light .shiki span {color: var(--shiki-light);background: var(--shiki-light-bg);font-style: var(--shiki-light-font-style);font-weight: var(--shiki-light-font-weight);text-decoration: var(--shiki-light-text-decoration);}html.light .shiki span {color: var(--shiki-light);background: var(--shiki-light-bg);font-style: var(--shiki-light-font-style);font-weight: var(--shiki-light-font-weight);text-decoration: var(--shiki-light-text-decoration);}html .default .shiki span {color: var(--shiki-default);background: var(--shiki-default-bg);font-style: var(--shiki-default-font-style);font-weight: var(--shiki-default-font-weight);text-decoration: var(--shiki-default-text-decoration);}html .shiki span {color: var(--shiki-default);background: var(--shiki-default-bg);font-style: var(--shiki-default-font-style);font-weight: var(--shiki-default-font-weight);text-decoration: var(--shiki-default-text-decoration);}html .dark .shiki span {color: var(--shiki-dark);background: var(--shiki-dark-bg);font-style: var(--shiki-dark-font-style);font-weight: var(--shiki-dark-font-weight);text-decoration: var(--shiki-dark-text-decoration);}html.dark .shiki span {color: var(--shiki-dark);background: var(--shiki-dark-bg);font-style: var(--shiki-dark-font-style);font-weight: var(--shiki-dark-font-weight);text-decoration: var(--shiki-dark-text-decoration);}",{"title":88,"searchDepth":367,"depth":367,"links":803},[804,805,810,815,820,825,826,831,835,836],{"id":12,"depth":367,"text":13},{"id":23,"depth":367,"text":24,"children":806},[807,808,809],{"id":28,"depth":373,"text":29},{"id":76,"depth":373,"text":77},{"id":94,"depth":373,"text":95},{"id":121,"depth":367,"text":122,"children":811},[812,813,814],{"id":125,"depth":373,"text":126},{"id":138,"depth":373,"text":139},{"id":164,"depth":373,"text":165},{"id":206,"depth":367,"text":207,"children":816},[817,818,819],{"id":210,"depth":373,"text":211},{"id":290,"depth":373,"text":291},{"id":311,"depth":373,"text":312},{"id":341,"depth":367,"text":342,"children":821},[822,823,824],{"id":345,"depth":373,"text":346},{"id":382,"depth":373,"text":383},{"id":404,"depth":373,"text":405},{"id":422,"depth":367,"text":423},{"id":525,"depth":367,"text":526,"children":827},[828,829,830],{"id":529,"depth":373,"text":530},{"id":544,"depth":373,"text":545},{"id":574,"depth":373,"text":575},{"id":592,"depth":367,"text":593,"children":832},[833,834],{"id":596,"depth":373,"text":597},{"id":640,"depth":373,"text":641},{"id":679,"depth":367,"text":680},{"id":765,"depth":367,"text":766},"FTP protocol details for Android Automotive. Connect car infotainment to FTP servers for media downloads, dashcam uploads, and content management.","md",{"faq":840,"howto":853},[841,844,847,850],{"q":842,"a":843},"What FTP connection modes work on car infotainment?","Passive mode is required for Android Automotive, as the car sits behind your network's router\u002FNAT. The car initiates all connections — both control (port 21) and data (passive port range). Active mode won't work due to NAT.",{"q":845,"a":846},"Can the car maintain FTP connections reliably?","While parked on stable WiFi, yes. Android Automotive systems maintain network connections well when the car is on. Some vehicles may timeout network connections after the engine is off for a period, depending on the car's power management.",{"q":848,"a":849},"What about FTP over cellular data in the car?","Possible but impractical for large transfers. Automotive cellular plans are often limited and expensive. Use WiFi for FTP. If you must use cellular, keep transfers small (configs, not media libraries).",{"q":851,"a":852},"How fast are FTP transfers to the car?","On home WiFi (5 GHz), expect 20-100 MB\u002Fs. A full album (100 MB) transfers in 1-5 seconds. An entire movie (2 GB) in 20-100 seconds. Automotive WiFi hardware is typically mid-range, not cutting-edge.",{"name":854,"description":855,"totalTime":856,"steps":857},"How to Configure FTP on Android Automotive","Set up FTP protocol connections on your car's infotainment system.","PT2M",[858,861,864],{"name":859,"text":860},"Connect car to WiFi","Car Settings → Network\u002FConnectivity → WiFi → connect to your home network or available WiFi. Ensure strong signal (car in garage\u002Fdriveway).",{"name":862,"text":863},"Configure FTP in AnExplorer","Open AnExplorer → Network → FTP → Add server. Enter: server IP (e.g., 192.168.1.100), port 21, username, password. Select passive mode.",{"name":865,"text":866},"Save and use","Save as bookmark for one-tap future access. Browse server, download\u002Fupload files. Transfers happen at WiFi speed.",true,"\u002Fnetwork\u002Fftp\u002Fandroid-automotive",{"title":5,"description":837},"network\u002Fftp\u002Fandroid-automotive","ONeNDyJw4v0__yh3eObHG81gkVmZ4ISwNYO_W2LOjes",1780644351675]