Differences Between FTP and TFTP
Article ID: 102737
Article Last Modified on 12/6/2003
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
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