Why need STAT -l listing

FTP session requires two TCP connections, one is for control connection and another is for data connection. FTP clients connect to the server via control connection and use this channel to send commands and retrieve response, the data connection be used to listing directory or download files. it meaning the FTP client opens data channel and connect to the server to retrieve raw list data when listing. If your internet speed is enough fast it's not a problem, but think about in a slowly network creating a new data channel and connecting to site may cost 3 seconds or more.

Use STAT -l to listing directory

Popular FTP servers already support "STAT -l" command to transferring dir list via control channel, for example glFTPD, raidenFTPD, microsoft FTPD, ProFTPD and PureFTPD. without create new connection to server the FTP client retrieves the directory information from control channel to saving time, It's very fast.

How to Enable STAT -l option

Launch our FTP client and press F3 to displays Site Manager window, double click on the site you want to changing, then click the "List Mode" in the left side of Site Properties dialog, place a check beside "Use STAT -l for listing directory". please make sure your server supporting this feature first, otherwise the directory listing may failed always.