AFP - Apple Filing Protocol

What is AFP?

AFP stands for Apple Filing Protocol. It is a network protocol developed by Apple Inc. that offers file services for macOS and classic Mac OS systems, allowing file sharing over a network.

Why is AFP useful?

  • Designed specifically for Mac environments, offering optimal compatibility with Apple file systems.

  • Supports resource forks, metadata, and file permissions specific to macOS.

  • Enables seamless file sharing and access among macOS devices.

  • Historically used for Time Machine backups over the network.

How it works?

  • A macOS client connects to a server offering AFP services.

  • The client authenticates using credentials (often via Apple’s authentication methods).

  • Once connected, the client can read, write, and manage files on the server as if they were local.

  • AFP supports metadata, file locking, and permissions, making it ideal for collaborative environments.

Where is AFP used?

  • Primarily in Apple and macOS environments.

  • In older macOS-based file servers.

  • For network Time Machine backups (though modern macOS now prefers SMB).

  • In creative industries or legacy Mac setups needing metadata preservation.

Which OSI layer does this protocol belong to?

  • AFP operates at the Application Layer (Layer 7) of the OSI model.

  • It relies on lower-layer protocols like TCP/IP for transport.

IS AFP Windows specific?

  • No, AFP is not Windows-specific.

  • It was designed for Apple operating systems and is not natively supported on Windows.

IS AFP Linux Specific?

  • No, AFP is not Linux-specific.

  • However, Linux can support AFP through software like Netatalk, allowing Linux servers to serve macOS clients.

Which Transport Protocol is used by AFP?

  • AFP typically uses TCP for reliable data transmission.

  • It originally ran over AppleTalk but later shifted to TCP/IP (especially over port 548).

Which Port is used by AFP?

  • AFP over TCP/IP uses port 548 by default.

  • Older AppleTalk implementations used different networking schemes, but modern AFP uses TCP port 548.

Is AFP using Client server model?

  • Yes, AFP uses the client-server model.

  • Clients (usually macOS systems) connect to an AFP server to access and manage shared files over a network.

Topics in this section,

  • In this section, you are going to learn

  • Terminology

  • Version Info

  • rfc details

  • setup

  • setup

  • packet details

  • usecases

  • features

  • Reference links