SMB (Server Message Block)

SMB, otherwise known as Server Message Block, is a system that lets computers on the same network share files, printers, and other resources. It was first developed by IBM and later improved by Microsoft, so it’s a big deal for Windows networks, but it also works on Linux with a tool called Samba.

When you open a file from a shared drive, you can view or edit it, even though it’s stored on another computer. For example, when you’re at home or in the office, SBM allows you to access a shared folder or connect to a printer. SMB is really handy when several people are working on the same file. It includes a file-locking feature to prevent two users from editing a file at once, avoiding any accidental changes or data loss.

Newer versions of SMB, like SMB2 and SMB3, have added security features like encryption and user authentication to keep your data safe from unauthorized access. This was a big improvement since earlier versions weren’t as secure.