What service operates over port 445 for direct connection and communication?

The service that operates over port 445 for direct connection and communication is Server Message Block (SMB) and Common Internet File System (CIFS). SMB is a network protocol used for sharing access to files, printers, and serial ports among nodes on a network. It enables applications to read and write to files and request services from server programs. CIFS is an implementation of the SMB protocol that operates over the Internet and is designed to work seamlessly with Microsoft Windows.

Port 445 is specifically designated for SMB communication without the need for NetBIOS over TCP/IP, which was traditionally used in earlier versions of SMB. This direct connection approach enhances performance and simplifies network configurations, as it does not require the additional layer that NetBIOS introduced. SMB/CIFS is widely utilized for file sharing in Windows-based environments and plays a crucial role in domain-based and workgroup-based networking scenarios, allowing devices on the network to locate and communicate with shared resources efficiently.