What port is associated with SMB for file sharing services?

The correct association of port 445 with SMB (Server Message Block) is critical for file sharing services in various operating systems, particularly Windows. Port 445 is used for direct SMB over TCP, which enables clients to access shared files and printers over the network without the need for NetBIOS, a legacy protocol that operates over ports 137, 138, and 139.

SMB is a network file sharing protocol that allows applications to read and write to files and request services from server programs. By using TCP over port 445, it ensures a reliable and efficient transport mechanism for file sharing, making it crucial to many network implementations today. The usage of port 445 significantly contributes to improved performance and is fundamental for modern networking operations.

In this context, the other options do not apply to SMB file sharing. UDP port 123 is used for the Network Time Protocol (NTP) to synchronize clocks over a network. TCP port 22 is primarily used for SSH (Secure Shell), which is used for secure remote administration and file transfers. TCP port 636 is associated with LDAPS (LDAP over SSL), which is used for secure directory services. Thus, these ports serve entirely different purposes compared to port 445, which is specifically designated