CompTIA Network+ Practice Test 2025 – Comprehensive Exam Prep

TFTP, or Trivial File Transfer Protocol, is specifically designed to be a simple and lightweight file transfer method without the complexity of additional features like authentication and encryption that protocols such as FTP (File Transfer Protocol) provide. One of its key characteristics is that it operates over User Datagram Protocol (UDP), using port 69 for sending and receiving files. This reliance on UDP enables TFTP to be faster and less resource-intensive, making it suitable for environments where speed is more critical than reliability.

The lack of authentication and encryption in TFTP means it is generally used in local area networks or situations where security is not a primary concern, which explains why it is not suited for secure data transmissions or confidential file transfers. The focus on simplicity and speed, along with the use of UDP, is what defines TFTP's purpose and functionality in networking.