TIdFtp in Delphi XE2 - connect method very slow

I'm using TIdFTP (Indy 10.2) in Delphi XE2; the method 'connect' (to create a connection...) is very slow; it takes 7 - 8 seconds to accomplish task. I have tried with different configurations: Passive true or false, AutoLogin true or false, but more or less the same situation. Is there any particular configuration to consider ?

Solution

First, 10.2 is a VERY OLD and OUTDATED version. The current version is 10.6. You should seriously consider upgrading.

Second, Connect() does a lot of work. It always sends a SYST command at a minimum, but depending on the values of the following properties, it may send a lot of additional commands as well:

UseHOST=True
```
HOST
```

AutoLogin=True

AUTH 1-4 times (only if UseTLS is utUseRequireTLS or utUseExplicitTLS)
XAUT (only if ProxySettings.ProxyType is fpcmNone)
USER
PASS
ACCT
OPEN (only if ProxySettings.ProxyType is fpcmOpen)
EPSV ALL (only if EPSV is supported)
SITE ZONE (only if SITE ZONE is supported)
TYPE

AutoIssueFEAT=True
```
FEAT
CLNT
```

So taking 7-8 seconds to complete is not unreasonable depending on how many commands it has to send and how much bandwidth you have available. To make Connect() return as soon as possible, turn off all of the auto features, and then call Login() and IssueFEAT() manually when ready.