SMB3capable

SMB3capable refers to a device, software, or configuration that can speak SMB protocol version 3.x. It is a label used in documentation and system inventories to indicate support for the contemporary SMB feature set, as distinct from older SMB1 or SMB2 implementations. Being SMB3capable generally implies access to security and performance improvements added with SMB 3.x, and the ability to negotiate the highest mutually supported SMB version with a peer.

SMB 3.x introduces several enhancements over earlier versions. Data can be encrypted in transit to protect against eavesdropping on untrusted networks. Performance and reliability can be improved through features such as SMB Multichannel, which allows multiple network paths to be used simultaneously, and better support for failover in clustered or high-availability storage environments. SMB3 also supports improvements in metadata handling and resilience, contributing to more robust file sharing across diverse environments. For a device to fully leverage these capabilities, both the client and the server (or NAS device) should be SMB3capable.

Practical deployment notes include that common SMB3capable platforms include Windows clients and servers from Windows 8 / Server 2012 onward, many Linux systems with updated Samba versions, and a wide range of NAS devices. In security-conscious setups, enabling SMB3 encryption is recommended, especially when communicating over public or untrusted networks; however, enabling encryption may introduce additional CPU overhead. Some environments disable legacy SMB1 entirely, requiring both sides to negotiate SMB3 where possible.

See also: SMB protocol, SMB Multichannel, SMB encryption, Samba, Network-attached storage.