Home network administrators use TFTP to upgrade the router firmware, while professional administrators use TFTP to distribute software across corporate networks.
How TFTP Works
Like FTP, TFTP uses client and server software to make connections between two devices. From a TFTP client, individual files can be uploaded to or downloaded from the server. The server hosts the files and the client requests or sends files. TFTP can also be used to remotely start a computer and back up network or router configuration files.
TFTP Client and Server Software
Command-line TFTP clients are included in current versions of Microsoft Windows, Linux, and macOS. TFTP clients with graphical interfaces are also available as freeware, such as TFTPD32, which includes a TFTP server. Windows TFTP Utility is another example of a GUI client and server for TFTP, and there are other free FTP clients. Microsoft Windows does not ship with a TFTP server, but several free Windows TFTP servers are available for download. Linux and macOS systems use the tftpd TFTP server, although it may be disabled by default.
How to Use the TFTP Client in Windows
The TFTP client in Windows is not enabled by default. Turn it on through the Programs and Features Control Panel applet.
TFTP vs. FTP
Trivial File Transfer Protocol differs from FTP in these key respects:
Original versions of TFTP transferred files up to 32 MB in size. Some newer TFTP servers remove this restriction or might limit file size to 4 GB. Unlike FTP, TFTP has no login feature, so it doesn’t prompt for a username and password. Avoid using TFTP to share sensitive files; you can’t protect these files or audit access to the files. Listing, renaming, and deleting files over TFTP is usually not allowed. TFTP uses UDP port 69 to establish network connections while FTP uses TCP ports 20 and 21.
Because TFTP is implemented using UDP, it generally works only on local area networks.
