What could be blocking the connection to an FTP server from a school lab computer, if the computers can browse the Internet?

A firewall could be blocking the connection to an FTP server from a school lab computer despite the ability to browse the Internet. Firewalls are designed to control and filter network traffic based on predetermined security rules. They can block specific types of traffic, such as FTP (which typically operates over ports 21 for commands and 20 for data), while allowing other types of traffic like HTTP (web browsing) to pass through.

In a school environment, firewalls are often implemented to enhance security, restrict access to potentially harmful sites, and manage the types of services that students can access. This is why the capability to access the Internet does not necessarily mean that all services, such as FTP, would also be available.

Layer-2 switches and hubs primarily operate at the data link layer, facilitating communication within the same local network but do not have the capability to filter traffic based on security rules. A wireless access point provides connectivity to wireless devices but would not inherently block specific protocols like FTP unless accompanied by specific configurations or restrictions set on the network.