Answer: A - Server Message Block (SMB) operates as an application-layer network protocol mainly used to provide shared access to files, printers, serial ports, and miscellaneous communications between nodes on a network.
Key Takeaway: SMB works through a peer-to-peer approach, where a client makes specific requests and the server responds accordingly. One section of the SMB protocol specifically deals with access to file systems, such that clients may make requests to a file server. Some other sections of the SMB protocol specialize in inter-process communication (IPC).