Microsoft KB Archive/102737

= Differences Between FTP and TFTP =

Article ID: 102737

Article Last Modified on 12/6/2003

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APPLIES TO


 * Microsoft Windows NT Advanced Server 3.1
 * Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 3.1
 * Microsoft Windows NT Advanced Server 3.1
 * Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 3.5
 * Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 3.51
 * Microsoft Windows NT Server 3.5
 * Microsoft Windows NT Server 3.51
 * Microsoft TCP/IP for Windows for Workgroups 3.11
 * Microsoft TCP/IP for Windows for Workgroups 3.11a
 * Microsoft TCP/IP for Windows for Workgroups 3.11b
 * Microsoft Windows for Workgroups 3.11
 * Microsoft Windows 95

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This article was previously published under Q102737



SUMMARY
Windows NT supports both file transfer protocol (FTP) and trivial file transfer protocol (TFTP) under its implementation of TCP/IP. Both of these protocols can be used for transferring files across the Internet. The differences between the two protocols are explained below:


 * FTP is a complete, session-oriented, general purpose file transfer protocol. TFTP is used as a bare-bones special purpose file transfer protocol.
 * FTP can be used interactively. TFTP allows only unidirectional transfer of files.
 * FTP depends on TCP, is connection oriented, and provides reliable control. TFTP depends on UDP, requires less overhead, and provides virtually no control.
 * FTP provides user authentication. TFTP does not.
 * FTP uses well-known TCP port numbers: 20 for data and 21 for connection dialog. TFTP uses UDP port number 69 for its file transfer activity.
 * The Windows NT FTP server service does not support TFTP because TFTP does not support authentication.
 * Windows 95 and TCP/IP-32 for Windows for Workgroups do not include a TFTP client program.

Additional query words: prodnt 3.10 3.11 3.11a 3.11b unix

Keywords: KB102737

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