The difference between FTP (File Transfer Protocol) and SMB (Server Message Block) is that FTP is primarily used for transferring files between a client and a server over a network, while SMB is used for sharing files, printers, and other resources over a local network.
An advantage of SMB over FTP is that SMB supports network browsing, allowing users to easily locate and access shared resources within a network, whereas FTP typically requires users to know the exact address of the server and the file paths.
The difference between FTP and a shared drive is that FTP is a protocol used for transferring files between a client and a server, requiring an FTP client application. A shared drive, on the other hand, refers to a storage location on a network that users can access and interact with directly through their operating system without needing a separate client application.
SMB is used for sharing files, printers, and other network resources within a local area network (LAN). It allows users to access and manage files on remote computers as if they were on their local machines.
SMB is not a file transfer protocol in the same way FTP is; rather, it is a network file sharing protocol. While it does facilitate the transfer of files, its primary function is to allow shared access to files, printers, and other resources over a network.