Historically, the SMB client and server would negotiate the highest supported version without much administrative control. SMB dialect management, introduced in recent updates to Windows 11 and Windows Server 2025, empowers administrators to govern the versions of the SMB protocol negotiated between clients and servers.

By disabling guest authentication by default, Microsoft has taken a significant step towards enhancing network security. At Visuality Systems’ SMB protocol libraries are aligned with Microsoft’s security advancements, supporting organizations in maintaining robust network defenses.

As cyberattacks grow in scale and sophistication, measures like NTLM blocking are essential to safeguard sensitive authentication data. By enforcing secure defaults and encouraging the use of modern protocols, like Kerberos, Microsoft continues to strengthen the security posture of SMB communications.

SMB signing is a cornerstone of secure SMB communication, ensuring the integrity and authenticity of your data. With Microsoft’s latest updates, this feature is now more robust and easier to implement than ever.

Ultimately, Ohalo selected Visuality Systems’ jNQ SMB Java library for its unmatched robustness and stability, essential qualities for delivering reliable performance across diverse SMB environments.

By upgrading to SMB3, your system components can benefit from enhanced performance, better security features, and improved interoperability with modern systems. Whether you’re in manufacturing, Smart Factory, or IIoT, making this move can significantly enhance your operational efficiency.