Trivial File Transfer Protocol - TFTP Last Updated : 16 Oct, 2025 Comments Improve Suggest changes 7 Likes Like Report TFTP stands for Trivial File Transfer Protocol. TFTP is defined as a protocol that is used to transfer a file from a client to a server and vice versa. TFTP is majorly used when no complex interactions are required by the client and server. The service of TFTP is provided by UDP (User Datagram Protocol) and works on port number 69.TFTP ProtocolNote: TFTP does not provide security features therefore it is not used in communications that take place over the Internet. Therefore it is used only for the systems that are set up on the local internet. TFTP requires less amount of memory. TFTP Message Formats There are four types of TFTP Message formats. They are as follows 1. Read Request: Read Request is also known as Type 1. A read request is used by the client to get a copy of a file from the server. Below is the format of the Read Request Read Request (1) (2 Octets) File Name (variable)0 (1 Octet)Mode (Variable)0 (1 Octet)2. Write Request: Write Request is also known as Type 2. Write Request is being used by the client for writing a file into the server. Below is the format of the Write Request. Write Request(2) (2 Octets) File Name (variable)0 (1 Octet)Mode (Variable)0 (1 Octet)3. Data Data is also known as Type 3. Data consists of a portion of a file that is being copied. The data block is of fixed size that is 512 octets. Below is the format of the Data. Data (3) (2 Octets)Sequence Number (2 Octets)Data (Upto 512 octets)4. Acknowledgement Acknowledgment is also known as Type 4. The data present at the last in the message consists of the End of File(EOF) where the size is less than 512 octets. This acknowledgment is used by both client and server for acknowledging the received data.Ack(4) (2 Octets)Sequence Number (2 Octets) Working of TFTP TFTP makes use of port number 69 as it uses User Datagram Protocol (UDP). When the connection is established successfully between client and server, the client makes a Read Request (RRQ) or Write Request( WRQ). If a client wants to only read the file it requests RRQ and if the client wants to write some data into a server then it requests for WRQ. Once the connection is established and a request is made communication of files takes place in the form of small packets. These packets are 512 bytes each. The server then communicates the packet back to the client and waits until it receives an acknowledgment from the client that the packet has been received. When the acknowledgment is received from the client side, the server again sends the next packet which is 512 bytes each. The same steps as mentioned above continue until the last packet is sent by the server to the client.Comparison of TFTP with FTPFeatureTFTPFTPProtocolUDP-basedTCP-basedAuthenticationNoneUsername & password requiredReliabilityLess reliableReliable (TCP error handling)File SizeSmall filesCan handle large filesUse CaseSimple transfers, firmwareGeneral-purpose file transferRead related articles Introduction to Microsoft SMB, A network file sharing protocol Create Quiz Comment A anjalibo6rb0 Follow 7 Improve A anjalibo6rb0 Follow 7 Improve Article Tags : Computer Networks Explore Computer Network BasicsBasics of Computer Networking4 min readTypes of Computer Networks6 min readIntroduction to Internet5 min readNetwork Devices3 min readWhat is OSI Model? - Layers of OSI Model11 min readTCP/IP Model6 min readDifference Between OSI Model and TCP/IP Model2 min readPhysical LayerPhysical Layer in OSI Model3 min readTypes of Network Topology9 min readTransmission Modes in Computer Networks (Simplex, Half-Duplex and Full-Duplex)3 min readTransmission Media in Computer Networks7 min readData Link LayerData Link Layer in OSI Model4 min readSwitching | Computer Networks2 min readVirtual LAN (VLAN)3 min readFraming in Data Link Layer3 min readError Control in Data Link Layer3 min readFlow Control4 min readPiggybacking in Computer Networks2 min readNetwork LayerNetwork Layer in OSI Model3 min readIntroduction of Classful IP Addressing7 min readClassless Addressing in IP Addressing7 min readWhat is an IP Address?11 min readIPv4 Datagram Header4 min readDifference Between IPv4 and IPv63 min readPublic and Private IP addresses4 min readIntroduction To Subnetting5 min readWhat is Routing?10 min readNetwork Layer Protocols9 min readTransport LayerTransport Layer in OSI Model4 min readTransport Layer Protocols9 min readTransmission Control Protocol - TCP4 min readUser Datagram Protocol - UDP3 min readSession Layer & Presentation LayerSession Layer in OSI model2 min readPresentation Layer in OSI model2 min readSecure Socket Layer (SSL)4 min readPoint-to-Point Tunneling Protocol - PPTP2 min readMultipurpose Internet Mail Extension (MIME) Protocol3 min readApplication LayerApplication Layer in OSI Model4 min readClient-Server Model3 min readWorld Wide Web (WWW)6 min readIntroduction to Electronic Mail4 min readWhat is a Content Distribution Network and how does it work?4 min readProtocols in Application Layer4 min readAdvanced TopicsWhat is Network Security?7 min readQuality of Service and Multimedia5 min readAuthentication in Computer Network3 min readEncryption, Its Algorithms And Its Future6 min readIntroduction of Firewall in Computer Network3 min readMAC Filtering in Computer Network3 min readWi-Fi Standards Explained2 min readWhat is Bluetooth?6 min readGenerations of wireless communication2 min readCloud Networking4 min readPracticeTop 50 Plus Networking Interview Questions and Answers15+ min readTop 50 TCP/IP Interview Questions and Answers 202515+ min readNetwork Fundamentals Interview Questions - Computer Networks15+ min readLast Minute Notes for Computer Networks14 min readComputer Network - Cheat Sheet15+ min read Like