Updated March 17, 2023
Introduction to TFTP
FTP stands for file transfer protocol, a standard mechanism provided by TCP/IP to copy a file from one host to another supports all files. In other words, we can say that if two systems use different file convention, different directories, or structures FTP support all of them and make the transfer of file easily and smoothly. FTP uses TCP services to transfer file from one host to another. FTP uses two TCP connection one is well-known port 21, which is used for connection control, and the second is well-known port 29, which is used for transferring data
What is TFTP?
Trivial File Transfer Protocol is a simple protocol that is used for sending a file from the server to the client. Trivial File Transfer Protocol uses the concept of UDP to share files between server and client. Here UDP stands for User Datagram Protocol.
Trivial File Transfer Protocol in Detail and Understanding it.
Trivial File Transfer Protocol has a very simple concept, and due to its simple concept, it has a straightforward design too. Although due to its simple design, it has limited features when it is compared to File Transfer Protocol. In general Trivial File Transfer Protocol does not follow any authentication before the communication of file. Trivial File Transfer Protocol does not apply any security mechanism while filing communication. Since Trivial File Transfer Protocol does not follow any authentication mechanism or any security mechanism, it could not be used over the internet to communicate files.
It is generally used for communicating files among machines set up in the local intranet only. Trivial File Transfer Protocol’s most important feature is that it uses a minimal amount of memory; trivial File Transfer Protocol could be used to communicate boot files if computers do not have hard disks. Trivial File Transfer Protocol generally uses protocol 69; however, the port used for communication could be defined by used when Trivial File Transfer Protocol is being set up.
What is TFTP Used for?
Trivial File Transfer Protocol is used for communicating files between client and server within the local network. Trivial File Transfer Protocol is beneficial when the client computer has very low memory storage devices or hard disk devices. It could be used to communicate boot files when the server is on the client’s computer. Since it is easier to implement; hence, it could be widely used when we have a low-security mechanism to be followed.
It does not follow any authentication mechanism; hence only those files could be communicated, which does not need to have any security mechanism.
How TFTP Works for?
Now, let us understand how Trivial File Transfer Protocol works. We will look at the mechanism of how does communication takes place between a client and a server.
- Since Trivial File Transfer Protocol uses UDP for communicating files, hence it establishes a connection generally by using port 69
- Once the connection is established, the client generally requests RRQ or WRQ. Here, RRQ means Read Request, and WRQ stands for Write Request. A client generally requests for reading requests if it wants only to read the file and generated a written request if he wants to write a particular file that exists on the server.
- Once this is done, then files are communicated in the form of small packets.
- These packets are 512 bytes. The file to be communicated is divided into small packets, where each packet consists of 512 bytes.
- Once a packet is communicated from server to client, the server waits to receive an acknowledgement from the client that the packet has been received. Once the acknowledgement is received, the server sends the next packet of 512 bytes.
- This is done till the last packet is communicated from server-side to client-side.
Now, let us look at a few of the scenarios while communicating of data packets.
What will happen if a Packet is not received on the Client Side?
When a packet is communicated from server to client, the server starts a timer. It waits until this time to receive the acknowledgement from the client side. If the acknowledgement is not received from the client-side, then the server re-sends the same packet until its acknowledgement is received. However, if acknowledgement is received before the timer, then it sends the next packet.
How will the Client know that File Communicating is Done?
The last packet which is generated for sharing a particular file is always less than 512 bytes. Even if the packets generated are in multiples of 512 bytes, then it sends an additional packet which is less than 512 bytes so that the client could understand that it has received the file.
Types of TFTP?
Generally, TFTP is of four types which are-
- Read request
- Write request
- Data Packets
- Acknowledgement request
Advantages of TFTP
- Uses UDP protocol
- It is easier to implement
- Requires less coding
- Less memory usage
Why Should We Use TFTP and Why do we Need TFTP
We could use TFTP because of the following reason-
- Since it requires less memory, hence it could be used.
- Since it required less coding hence, it could be used easily.
- It follows the concept of UDP; hence could be easily implemented.
- Easy to communicate file
We need TFTP because of
- Communicating of file between server and client
- No authentication makes the communication of files easy.
How will this Technology Help in Career Growth?
This technology is very useful for understanding the basic concept of how actually communicating files is there between server and client.
However, learning this technology alone is not enough. This technology will help us understand the basic concept we can use to understand other useful protocols.
Conclusion
TFTP is a very useful technology for the communication of files between servers and clients. It could be easily used since it requires less coding, less memory usage, and since authentication and security mechanism is not required hence, it could be easily used.
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