Which protocol is utilized between the Mist cloud and the installed APs?

The correct answer is that HTTPS is utilized between the Mist cloud and the installed access points (APs). This is important because HTTPS (Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure) provides a secure communication channel over a computer network, employing SSL/TLS encryption. This ensures that the data exchanged between the Mist cloud and APs remains confidential and is protected from potential interception or tampering.

Using HTTPS is critical in a cloud-managed architecture like Mist’s, where sensitive configuration data and telemetry information are transmitted. The secure nature of HTTPS also helps in establishing user trust, as it verifies the identity of the cloud service and protects against man-in-the-middle attacks.

The other protocols listed, such as FTP (File Transfer Protocol), SCP (Secure Copy Protocol), and SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol), do not meet the security or functionality requirements necessary for the efficient operation of cloud-managed access points. Each of these protocols serves very different purposes that are not suited for the ongoing management and configuration of networking hardware like access points. Thus, HTTPS stands out as the appropriate choice for this context.