What is the optimal protocol to transfer files between a workstation and a server with simplicity and without concern for security?

The optimal protocol for transferring files between a workstation and a server with simplicity and without concern for security is Trivial File Transfer Protocol, or TFTP. TFTP is designed to be lightweight and easy to implement, making it ideal for situations where simplicity is a priority. It operates over User Datagram Protocol (UDP), which facilitates quicker file transfers by eliminating the overhead associated with connection establishment and error recovery that you typically find in more complex protocols.

TFTP is particularly useful in network environments where system administrators need to transfer files without the need for authentication or encryption. This lack of security measures, while it could be a disadvantage in more sensitive situations, aligns perfectly with the requirement of focusing on simplicity in this case. By using TFTP, users can easily upload or download files without any complex configurations or security protocols, making it accessible and straightforward for basic file transfer tasks.

In contrast, other protocols mentioned, such as SFTP and SMTP, focus on security or specific functions (like email transfer with SMTP) and would not fit the criteria of prioritizing simplicity without concern for security. HTTP, while simple for web-based content, is also not strictly a file transfer protocol like TFTP.