The Server Message Block protocol (SMB) is also known as a Common Internet File System.
It is a client-server communication protocol that is typically used to share access to files and other resources like printers on a specific network.
Its main use throughout its history has been to connect Windows computers, even if even MacOS includes similar elements.
How does the SMB protocol work?
The SMB protocol facilitates the communication between applications and their users, accessing files on remote servers and connecting to other network devices like printers. It offers a monitored method of opening, reading and updating files.
It is also considered one of the most widespread methods for network communications, where the client sends an SMB request to the server to start sharing. Once the server sends a request back, a two-way conversation commences.
What are SMB protocol dialects?
Created in the 1980s by IBM, the SMB protocol has evolved a lot since then.
All the variants which were developed with each update are called dialects, which were created to accommodate the needs of an evolving technological world.
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The latest dialect came about in 2021, and it is SMB 3.1.1, and it includes more support for advanced encryption, pre-authentication and cluster dialect fencing, as well as being more advanced to work with Windows 11.
