Server Message Block Protocol

What does Server Message Block Protocol mean?

The Server Message Block Protocol (SMB) is a Network file sharing protocol that allows computers to Access files, printers, and other resources on a network. It was originally developed by Microsoft in the early 1980s and has since become a widely used protocol for file sharing between Windows and other operating systems.

SMB provides a client/server architecture, in which a client computer sends requests to a server computer that manages the shared resources. The server then responds to the client’s requests, providing access to the files, printers, and other resources on the network.

SMB is a very versatile protocol that can be used for a wide variety of applications, including file sharing, printer sharing, and remote access. It is also a very secure protocol, which makes it ideal for use in business and government environments.

Applications

SMB is a very versatile protocol that can be used for a wide variety of applications, including:

• File sharing: SMB is the most commonly used protocol for file sharing between Windows computers. It allows users to access files on other computers on the network as if they were stored on their own computer.
• Printer sharing: SMB can also be used to share printers between computers on a network. This allows users to print documents from any computer on the network, regardless of where the printer is physically located.
• Remote access: SMB can be used to provide remote access to computers on a network. This allows users to access their computers from anywhere on the network, as if they were sitting in front of them.
• Backup: SMB can be used to back up files from one computer to another. This can help to protect important data from being lost in the event of a Hard [Drive](https://amazingalgorithms.com/definitions/drive) failure or other emergency.

History

SMB was originally developed by Microsoft in the early 1980s. It was first released as part of Windows NT 3.1 in 1993. Since then, SMB has been included in all versions of Windows and has become the de facto standard for file sharing between Windows computers.

Over the years, SMB has been updated and improved several times. SMB 2.0 was released in 2007 and included a number of new features and improvements. SMB 3.0 was released in 2012 and included even more new features and improvements. SMB 3.1.1 was released in 2018 and included a number of security improvements.

SMB is a very important protocol in technology today. It is the most widely used protocol for file sharing between Windows computers and is also used for a variety of other applications. SMB is a very versatile and secure protocol that is ideal for use in business and government environments.