Both of these are application layer protocols that help in transferring files from a server to a client and a client to a server. Here, FTP is much more complex as compared to TFTP. There is a crucial difference between FTP and TFTP. The TFTP makes use of only a single connection for transferring files between the client and the server, while FTP does the same using two connections.
The connections used in FTP are port 20 and port 21 of the TCP for the control connection. The TFTP, on the other hand, makes use of port 69 of the UDP. There are more ways in which both of these protocols differ. But let us understand more about each of them individually.
What is FTP?
The term FTP is an acronym for File Transfer Protocol, and it helps a user in copying various files from one host location to the other. It works on Port 21 and 20. Here, Port 20 comes in handy for data, while Port 21 helps in connection control.
The FTP protocol transfers various data files between different hosts by copying them, but many issues may arise here. For instance, there may be different names and directories for the files that the systems or hosts send or receive. Here, FTP does not provide its users with a secure channel for transferring files between the system and the host. This protocol follows the Transmission Control Protocol (TCP).
What is TFTP?
The term TFTP is an acronym for Trivial File Transfer Protocol. TFTP is comparatively lighter than the FTP, and it comes in handy when one needs to transfer files without the FTP features. In simple words, TFTP helps in transferring information and data files from the server and the client or from the client to the server without needing the FTP feature.
This protocol follows the User Datagram Protocol (UDP)- which provides its overall service, and it works on the basis of Port 69.
Difference Between FTP and TFTP
Here is a list of the differences between FTP and TFTP.
| Parameters | FTP | TFTP |
| Full-Form | The term FTP is an acronym for File Transfer Protocol. | The term TFTP is an acronym for Trivial File Transfer Protocol. |
| Size of Software | The FTP protocol software is larger in size. Thus, it is comparatively heavier than that of TFTP. | The TFTP protocol software is much smaller in size. Thus, it is comparatively lighter than that of FTP. |
| Ports | It essentially works on Port 21 as well as Port 20. Thus, it establishes two main connections. | It essentially works on Port 69. Thus, it establishes only one main connection. |
| Type of Protocol Used | The FTP protocol works on the basis of the Transmission Control Protocol (TCP). It is a connection-oriented type of service. | The TFTP protocol works on the basis of User Datagram Protocol (UDP). It is a connectionless type of service. |
| Commands | It comes with a lot of messages or commands. | It consists of five messages only. |
| Complexity | It is comparatively much more complex than TFTP. | It is comparatively much less complex and very simplified as compared to FTP. |
| Need of Authentication | The process of authentication is a prerequisite in FTP. | You don’t necessarily need authentication in the case of TFTP. |
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