Which protocol enables clients to share files between computers in a network?

Which protocol enables clients to share files between computers in a network?

• A. Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP)
• B. Session Initiation Protocol (SIP)
• C. Trivial File Transfer Protocol (TFTP)
• D. File Transfer Protocol (FTP)

Answer: (D)

Sharing files between machines over a network is done with a protocol built specifically for moving and managing files. File Transfer Protocol provides the full set of features needed for this task: a login process to authenticate users, a control connection to send commands, and a separate data connection to transfer the files themselves. It supports uploading and downloading files, listing directories, and often basic file management operations, which makes it the standard choice for everyday file sharing and remote file access. Other options serve different purposes. Simple Mail Transfer Protocol moves messages between mail servers, not files. Trivial File Transfer Protocol exists for simple, minimal file transfers but lacks robust authentication and directory navigation, making it unsuitable for general file sharing. Session Initiation Protocol is about establishing and controlling multimedia sessions (like VoIP calls), not transferring files.

Sharing files between machines over a network is done with a protocol built specifically for moving and managing files. File Transfer Protocol provides the full set of features needed for this task: a login process to authenticate users, a control connection to send commands, and a separate data connection to transfer the files themselves. It supports uploading and downloading files, listing directories, and often basic file management operations, which makes it the standard choice for everyday file sharing and remote file access.

Other options serve different purposes. Simple Mail Transfer Protocol moves messages between mail servers, not files. Trivial File Transfer Protocol exists for simple, minimal file transfers but lacks robust authentication and directory navigation, making it unsuitable for general file sharing. Session Initiation Protocol is about establishing and controlling multimedia sessions (like VoIP calls), not transferring files.