What is a TFTP Server?
TFTP, or Trivial File Transfer Protocol lives up to its name as it is a lightweight, simple protocol used to send files across a network. The server of this “trivial” protocol allows computers in and out of an organization’s network to exchange files using TFTP. As a lightweight protocol, there is less complexity, and therefore reduced overhead.
It works quite simply: A client requests files from the TFTP server and the server sends those files to the client. As TFTP relies on UDP for its transport layer protocol it is “connectionless,” which transfers files rapidly. However, this speed and simplicity comes with some drawbacks in terms of security and data integrity.
When is a TFTP Server Used?
As TFTP is itself minimalistic, using a TFTP server is also a rather barebones proposition. Organizations may use TFTP to conduct activities that do not require data protection and security measures, such as when they upgrade their firmware (switches, routers, etc.), or for network booting, or remote configuration.
Situations where this User Datagram Protocol (UDP)-based server is used are those where the overarching concern is speed and simplicity vs file transfer security or advanced features that could be found in other, more secure servers.
As such, TFTP is falling out of favor for more comprehensive, total solutions, such as secure, managed file transfer (MFT), which can utilize servers such as AS2, FTPS, HTTPS, SFTP, and other protocols that offer security, error resolution, and authentication.
Related Reading: Security Risks of File Transfers and How to Reduce Them
Alternatives to TFTP Servers
As a stripped-down protocol, TFTP offers no encryption or authentication, which in turn makes it a poor choice for most organizations transferring sensitive data, especially industries subject to stringent compliance requirements around how data is stored, transferred, and audited.
Because TFTP is so minimalist (while fast and streamlined), it lacks several of the features that most file transfer solutions and organizations want and need in today’s cybersecurity environment such as security controls like authentication, automation, reliability, error recovery, and scalability.
Transferring files via TFTP leaves files open to be accessed or modified during the transfer. And there is no error detection or recovery built in, so files can be corrupted in transit without safeguards provided by more comprehensive file transfer solutions.
“To gain the advantages of security and control for sensitive file transfer activities, utilize a file transfer solution that supports secure protocols such as SFTP and HTTPS,” said Chris Spargen, Senior Manager, Solutions Engineering, Fortra. “A centralized, comprehensive file transfer solution, like managed file transfer, can support these more secure protocols and their servers with authentication and strong encryption protocols built in.”
A secure, MFT solution, such as GoAnywhere MFT, can be used with different servers such as SFTP, FTPS, HTTPS, AS2 and REST endpoints that include robust security and management controls to customize which services are enabled and which users have access to those services. GoAnywhere MFT also features audit log reporting, a compliance requirement for many industries.
Accelerated File Transfer Alternative to TFTP
“If speedy file transfers are an organization’s top priority, Fortra’s FileCatalyst is a UDP-based solution that speeds transfers, even of large files or over remote networks that can experience packet loss or high latency. And this speed does not come with the barebones security of TFTP,” noted Spargen. “Users of this accelerated file transfer solution do not need to acknowledge data has been received in order for it to be resent, and connections are established more quickly as the transport layer protocol is ‘connectionless’ resulting in fast file transfer.”
MFT: Your Fast, Secure TFTP Server Alternative
If you need more than speed for transferring your business-critical files, the security, automation, and full-featured solution provided by GoAnywhere MFT can deliver.
