This NSE4 practice question tests your understanding of system and network administration. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
An administrator wants to back up the FortiGate configuration to a remote FTP server. Which command should be used?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "which command"
Why it matters: Tests specific CLI syntax. Recall the exact command and its required context — near-synonyms and partial matches are common distractors.
execute restore config ftp <filename> <server>
Why wrong: Restore, not backup.
copy running-config startup-config
Why wrong: Not FortiGate syntax.
execute backup system ftp <filename> <server>
Why wrong: Incorrect command.
execute backup config ftp <filename> <server>
This is the correct syntax.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
execute backup config ftp <filename> <server>
Option D is correct because the `execute backup config ftp` command is the specific FortiGate CLI command designed to back up the configuration file to a remote FTP server. This command directly initiates an FTP transfer of the current system configuration, ensuring the backup is stored externally for disaster recovery.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
execute restore config ftp <filename> <server>
Why it's wrong here
Restore, not backup.
copy running-config startup-config
Why it's wrong here
Not FortiGate syntax.
execute backup system ftp <filename> <server>
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect command.
execute backup config ftp <filename> <server>
Why this is correct
This is the correct syntax.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "which command" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
The trap here is confusing the `backup` and `restore` commands, or using a Cisco-style command like `copy running-config startup-config`, which is not valid on FortiGate devices.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
Incorrect command.
Detailed technical explanation
The `execute backup config ftp` command uses FTP (File Transfer Protocol) to upload the FortiGate configuration file (typically `forticonfig.conf` or a user-specified filename) to a remote server. This command supports both active and passive FTP modes, and the server must be reachable and configured with appropriate credentials. In real-world scenarios, administrators often schedule this backup via cron jobs or use TFTP for simpler environments, but FTP provides authentication and is commonly used for secure off-site backups.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
A practitioner preparing for the NSE4 exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
What to study next
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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FAQ
System and Network Administration — This question tests System and Network Administration — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: execute backup config ftp <filename> <server> — Option D is correct because the `execute backup config ftp` command is the specific FortiGate CLI command designed to back up the configuration file to a remote FTP server. This command directly initiates an FTP transfer of the current system configuration, ensuring the backup is stored externally for disaster recovery.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Yes — watch for: "which command". Tests specific CLI syntax. Recall the exact command and its required context — near-synonyms and partial matches are common distractors.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 24, 2026
This NSE4 practice question is part of Courseiva's free Fortinet certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the NSE4 exam.
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