Which simple file transfer protocol between two TCP/IP devices is used for reading/writing files using a remote server?

• A. Trivial File Transfer Protocol (TFTP)
• B. File Transfer Protocol (FTP)
• C. Tunneling File Transfer Protocol
• D. Secure Copy (SCP)

Answer: (A)

Fitting a simple, minimal approach to moving files to and from a remote server is exactly what Trivial File Transfer Protocol is designed for. It conveys a straightforward way to read or write a file on a remote host with as little overhead as possible, which is why it’s commonly used for quick, uncomplicated transfers such as bootstrapping devices or loading small files. It’s built to be lightweight, typically operating over UDP, which keeps the protocol simple but means it sacrifices some reliability and security compared to more feature-rich methods. In contrast, FTP provides a fuller, authenticated session with more complexity; the “tunneling” option isn’t a standard, widely used file-transfer protocol; and SCP focuses on secure copying over SSH, which is more about secure, not simply minimal transfers. So the simple read/write to a remote server is best served by the Trivial File Transfer Protocol.