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TFTP stands for "Trivial File Transfer Protocol". Many network devices require a TFTP Server to load their initial operating system or configuration. Many routers, switches, hubs, X-terminals, printers, terminal servers, etc need a TFTP server in order to load their initial configuration. 

SolarWinds TFTP Server was written during a large network upgrade project. We needed a TFTP Server that could transmit and receive multiple configuration files at the same time. We had tried a number of free and licensed TFTP Servers, but none of them worked well. A couple would allow multiple connections, but no more than two and none would transmit AND receive at the same time. So to solve the problem ... we wrote one.

Note: A TFTP Server is NOT an FTP server. TFTP and FTP are different protocols. You will not be able to connect to the TFTP Server with an FTP client. 

        

The status bar along the bottom of the TFTP Server window shows the TFTP Server root directory and IP address.

TFTP Server Settings 

Select "Configure" from the "File" menu to display the Settings dialog box.

TFTP Root Directory

        

The TFTP Root Directory is where files are placed when received. It's also where files to be transmitted should be placed. 

Security

       

The TFTP protocol has no security. There are no passwords or authentication. SolarWinds TFTP Server adds a couple layers of security by allowing you to limit the server's functionality.

Receive Only

The TFTP Server will only receive files. All requests to transmit a file will be refused.

Transmit Only

The TFTP Server will only transmit files. All requests to receive or overwrite files will be refused.

Transmit and Receive Files

The TFTP Server will allow both, receiving and transmitting files. 

Advanced Security

       

Another layer of security added by the SolarWinds TFTP Server is limiting the clients to specific address ranges.

Enter an address range and click on the  button. If IP address ranges are specified, the TFTP Server will only accept requests from IP addresses within the range. All requests outside the ranges will be refused.

Auto-Close

       

Many customers use the TFTP Server to load operating systems and configuration files while installing a new router or switch. They start the TFTP Server, go to the wiring closets and install the new piece of hardware. They did not want the TFTP Server to continue running indefinitely. Instead they wanted the TFTP Server to automatically shutdown after a specified period of inactivity. If the TFTP Server is inactive (no requests) over the specified amount of time, the server will shutdown automatically.

You can also select "Never" to disable the "Auto-Close" feature.  

Log

       

The TFTP Server can also log all requests to a text file. 

Running the TFTP Server as an NT service 

The TFTP Server can be started automatically a couple of different ways.

1. Start the TFTP Server whenever you login
   Like many SolarWinds tools, the SolarWinds TFTP Server is programmable. It can be started, stopped and configured from another program. To ensure the TFTP Server is started each time you login, place the Start-TFTP-Server.exe program in the "Startup program group" under the Windows  menu.

2.        Start the TFTP Server as a service whenever Windows starts
The TFTP Server can be registered as an NT service using the svrany.exe utility included in the Windows NT Resource Kit. Instructions and the program (srvany.exe) can be downloaded from Microsoft's website.