Free and secure network file transfer
Solarwinds TFTP Server is a free Trivial File Transfer Protocol that offers reliable and secure network file transfers. With this application, users can easily and securely transfer files of up to 4GB. It is a multi-threaded TFTP server that you can use to upload and download executable images and backups for routers and switches. Moreover, it is an intuitive application that can run in the system tray and supports server bindings.
What is Solarwinds TFTP Server?
Trivial File Transfer Protocol or TFTP is a technology that allows the transfer of files over networks. It is similar to File Transfer Protocol (FTP) in a way that it enables users to access and share resources. The difference is that TFTP is targeted at a specific task, including but not limited to network booting, operating system network installations, or upgrading of firmware appliance.
Solarwinds TFTP Server is a TFTP protocol. The most likely use of this app is for the storage of network equipment configuration files and forwarding patches, as well as firmware updates to routers and switches. Here, you can backup and restore IOS files and hardware configuration from TFTP servers back and forth. You can also upload or download configurations to multi-vendor network devices.
The app also allows file transfer of up to 4GB without file size concerns. These transfers are secure as it lets you authorize specific IP addresses or ranges of IP addresses. Also, as an additional parameter, you can limit the usage to send or receive files directly to the server. As noted the program is a multi-threaded server. With it, you can concurrently upload and download images from multiple network devices. As a result, you can save valuable time when managing large networks with many devices.
How do you setup Solarwinds TFTP Server?
Solarwinds TFTP Server comes simple in both design and usage. It has a clean and minimalist interface and is unlikely to give a user any trouble. From its main window, you can see the status of the server and the root dictionary, allowing you instant access. However, it requires you to configure and define the root server directory before you can run it properly.
The simplicity of the program makes it a lightweight application. Many of the commands often found in standard FTP protocol are not available, and the reduced functionality means any program it implements can be a lot smaller. With this, the system will only take up very little disk space. However, this also means that the app will come with a few drawbacks.
For one, the files you can transfer cannot exceed 4GB. Moreover, the file server is not suitable for communications across the internet. With this, you should limit your file sharing to upload and download files to the nodes on your LAN. Finally, despite having a simple interface, the app is not particularly user-friendly. Its level of complexity is more suited to system administrators rather than end-users.
Summary
All in all, Solarwinds TFTP Server is a free substitute for a configuration manager. This app can serve you well if you have a small network with few network devices to keep track of. It supports admin file transfer tasks needed to organize a starter network. It does not have all the bells and whistles that other FTP servers usually have, but it is a steady program with enough features to cater to your needs.
