SMB
Also written: Server Message Block, CIFS
Server Message Block is a network protocol for sharing files, printers, and other resources between computers.
Server Message Block, or SMB, is a standard way for computers, especially those running Windows, to share files and printers over a network. Think of it like a digital filing cabinet and printer sharing system that lets multiple computers access the same resources.
For example, a small office might use SMB to let everyone access a shared drive where they store company documents. This means one computer can act as a central server for files, and others can connect to it to read, write, or save files as if they were on their own machine.
Server Message Block (SMB) is a client-server application protocol that provides shared access to files, printers, serial ports, and communications abstractions on a network. It is primarily used by Windows operating systems but has implementations and support in other platforms like Linux and macOS. SMB operates over TCP/IP, typically on port 445, and handles authentication, authorization, and file access requests.
SMB enables features like network drives, shared folders, and printer sharing. Its evolution includes versions like SMBv1 (now deprecated due to security vulnerabilities), SMBv2, and SMBv3, which offer improved performance, security, and features such as encryption and transparent failover. Tradeoffs involve complexity in configuration and potential security risks if not properly secured and updated.
Microsoft's Azure Files, which leverages SMB, is being highlighted as a secure, cloud-based file storage solution ready for AI applications. This indicates a trend towards using cloud-native file sharing protocols like SMB for managing data used in AI model training and inference, especially within enterprise environments.
- Azure Files: simple, secure, cloud and AI ready file storageMicrosoft · Microsoft Azure on YouTube ·
- Microsoft Copilot
- Microsoft uses SMB extensively in its Windows operating systems and Azure cloud services for file sharing and storage.
- NFS
- Network File System (NFS) is a distributed file system protocol commonly us
- CIFS
- Common Internet File System (CIFS) is an older dialect of SMB, often used
SMB was originally developed by IBM in the 1980s and later adopted and significantly developed by Microsoft. It became the standard for file sharing in Windows environments. Source ↗
On a Windows computer, right-click a folder, select 'Properties', go to the 'Sharing' tab, and click 'Share'. Follow the prompts to share the folder over your local network. Then, from another computer on the same network, open File Explorer, type `\computername` (replacing `computername` with the name of the first computer) in the address bar, and press Enter to access the shared folder.
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Questions people ask
- Is SMB secure?
- Modern versions of SMB (SMBv3 and later) include encryption and other security enhancements. However, older versions like SMBv1 have known vulnerabilities and should be disabled. Proper network security and access controls are crucial.
- Can I use SMB on macOS or Linux?
- Yes, macOS and Linux systems have built-in clients and servers that support SMB, allowing them to connect to Windows shares and share files with Windows computers.
First seen on Subvolts Aug 5, 2026. Updated Sep 15, 2026. Written by an AI model from the items above and reviewed against them weekly; report an error.