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Q102737: Differences Between FTP and TFTP

Article: Q102737
Product(s): Windows for Workgroups and Windows NT Networking Issues
Version(s): 3.10 3.11 3.11a 3.11b 3.50 3.51
Operating System(s): 
Keyword(s): 
Last Modified: 08-AUG-2001

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The information in this article applies to:

- Microsoft Windows NT Server version 3.1 
- Microsoft Windows NT Workstation version 3.1 
- Microsoft Windows NT Advanced Server, version 3.1 
- Microsoft Windows NT Workstation versions 3.5, 3.51 
- Microsoft Windows NT Server versions 3.5, 3.51 
- Microsoft TCP/IP-32 for Windows for Workgroups, versions 3.11, 3.11a, 3.11b 
- Microsoft Windows for Workgroups version 3.11 
- Microsoft Windows 95 
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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

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Keywords          :  
Technology        : kbWinNTsearch kbWinNTWsearch kbWinNT351search kbWinNT350search kbWinNTW350 kbWinNTW350search kbWinNTW351search kbWinNTW351 kbWinNTW310 kbWinNTSsearch kbWinNTS351 kbWinNTS350 kbWinNTS310 kbWinNTAdvSerSearch kbWinNTAdvServ310 kbWinNTS351search kbWinNTS350search kbWinNTS310search kbAudDeveloper kbWin95search kbWinNT310Search kbWinNTW310Search kbTCPIPSearch kbWFWSearch kbZNotKeyword3 kbWFW311 kbTCPIP311 kbTCPIP311a kbTCPIP311b
Version           : 3.10 3.11 3.11a 3.11b 3.50 3.51

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