This is RH8.0:
ftp -u localhost
Connected to localhost.
220
rpppc1.md.hns.com FTP server (Version wu-2.6.2-8) ready.
ftp> 221 Goodbye.
From man ftp:
-u Restrains ftp from attempting ``auto-authentication'' upon ini-
tial connection. If auto-authentication is enabled, ftp
attempts to authenticate to the FTP server by sending the AUTH
command, using whichever authentication types are locally sup-
ported. Once an authentication type is accepted, an authentica-
tion protocol will proceed by issuing ADAT commands. This
option also disables auto-login.