Which protocol uses UDP port 69 for simple file transfer without authentication?

Which protocol uses UDP port 69 for simple file transfer without authentication?

• A. Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP)
• B. File Transfer Protocol (FTP)
• C. Trivial File Transfer Protocol (TFTP)
• D. Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP)

Answer: (C)

Trivial File Transfer Protocol is designed for simple, unauthenticated file transfers and operates over UDP, using port 69 to initiate those transfers. Its minimal feature set—no authentication, no encryption, and a lightweight mechanism for reading and writing files—fits the description perfectly. The other protocols don’t match: DHCP uses UDP for dynamic IP assignment (ports 67/68), FTP uses TCP and requires authentication with separate control and data connections, and SNMP handles network management messages over UDP (ports 161/162) rather than file transfer.

Trivial File Transfer Protocol is designed for simple, unauthenticated file transfers and operates over UDP, using port 69 to initiate those transfers. Its minimal feature set—no authentication, no encryption, and a lightweight mechanism for reading and writing files—fits the description perfectly. The other protocols don’t match: DHCP uses UDP for dynamic IP assignment (ports 67/68), FTP uses TCP and requires authentication with separate control and data connections, and SNMP handles network management messages over UDP (ports 161/162) rather than file transfer.