What Is CIFS? Common Internet File System Explained

CIFS stands for Common Internet File System, a protocol used for file sharing across multiple platforms. This protocol is used on Windows operating systems to give access to clients for file sharing and printing services. By providing file access, clients can open, read, and edit the documents, which will be automatically saved on local computers.

Furthermore, clients can also cache data through this protocol to enhance the performance of their networks. Moreover, when a user or a specific client modifies a file, the server provides instant notifications.

How Does CIFS Work?

CIFS follows the client-server model, which involves three main entities: a client, an application, and the server. Using this model, a client can utilize the services provided by the CIFS protocol. The functionality of CIFS is described below:

1. In the initial process, the client sends a request to the server to begin the operation.

2. After receiving the request, the server fulfills it following the required protocols.

3. Once the request is completed, the server responds to the client.

CIFS Protocol Features

CIFS protocol has various capabilities to facilitate file sharing and other services to the clients. To learn about the key features of the CIFS protocol, check the following points:

• Batched Commands: This feature creates single messages from multiple batch requests. It will decrease the round-trip latencies of multiple messages. Moreover, different categories of messages will be made, such as printer messages, connection establishment messages, etc.

• Easy File Access: It's a basic feature that enables the clients or users to perform some modifications on the files, like editing, opening, or writing.

• Notifications: Through this feature, whenever a client creates some modifications on a file, instant notifications will be sent to the server. This will allow other clients to be notified about the changes made to a particular file.

• Additional Attributes: It supports adding attributes like content, description, or author's information.

• Verification of Messages: This protocol use message signing for safety so that the communication process won't get modified during transit.

• Supports for Unicode File Names: CIFS protocol shows compatibility with ASCII characters.

• Support for DFS Functionality: The Distributed File System functionality is completely supported by the CIFS protocol. This functionality enables object naming across multiple servers.

• Safe Caching: It allows the clients to cache data safely to improve their networks' performance. Also, it shows support to file locking.

• Access to Named Pipes: Named pipes functions as the communicating bridge between a client and server. Thus, clients or users can reach named pipes through this protocol.

• Enhanced Connectivity: CIFS offers maximum flexibility to its clients. If required, a single client can establish connections to multiple servers quickly. Also, the client can make multiple connections to a single server.

• No Requirements for Transport Protocol: CIFS does not demand anything for the transport protocol. It uses connectionless protocols to pass messages between a client and a server.

CIFS vs. NFS

Do you want to know the difference between CIFS vs. NFS? Check the following table to understand the differences easily.

CIFS vs. SMB

Are you looking for the main differences between CIFS vs. SMB? Here is the well-structured table for your convenience.