Administering Windows Server Hybrid Core Infrastructure (AZ-800) Practice

Which SMB feature allows multiple connections to a single SMB share for improved performance?

1. SMB Multichannel

2. SMB Direct

3. SMB Encryption

4. SMB Signing

The correct answer is: SMB Multichannel

SMB Multichannel is the feature that allows multiple connections to a single SMB share, enhancing performance and throughput. This capability is particularly useful in scenarios where network redundancy and increased data transfer rates are needed. By enabling multiple network adapters to be used simultaneously for a single session, SMB Multichannel effectively balances the load and improves efficiency in data streaming, especially in environments with high data demands. This feature can automatically detect available network paths and utilize them without user intervention, leading to optimized performance as it can effectively use all available resources. This is crucial in hybrid environments where various types of connections are leveraged, ensuring that file sharing remains responsive and fast. In contrast, while SMB Direct focuses on leveraging Remote Direct Memory Access (RDMA) for low-latency and high-throughput data transfers, it does not inherently support multiple connections to a single share. SMB Encryption and SMB Signing pertain to security features that protect data integrity and confidentiality, but they do not contribute to improved performance in the manner that SMB Multichannel does.