17.3 Coexistence and Migration of File Services

Storing shared data on network servers is only half of the picture. The other half is making it possible for users of Windows, Macintosh, and UNIX/Linux workstations to access the data. In some networks, the installation of special software is permitted on the workstations to provide client access. Others require users to be able to access shared data without installing extra software on the workstation.

This section discusses migration of the following services:

17.3.1 Novell Client (NCP)

Novell Client for Windows is the long-standing software solution for providing NCP access to NetWare data from Windows workstations. The Novell Client extends the capabilities of Windows desktops to access the full range of Novell services, such as authentication to eDirectory, network browsing and service resolution, and secure file system access. It supports traditional Novell protocols such as NCP, RSA, and NDAP, and it interoperates with open protocols such as LDAP. For more information on the Novell Client for Windows, see the Novell Client 4.91 SP5 for Windows XP/2003 Installation and Administration Guide.

The Novell Client for Linux provides these same services for Linux workstations. For more information on the Novell Client for Linux, see the Novell Client 2.0 SP2 for Linux Administration Guide.

Because NCP is now available on Linux, Novell Client users can attach to OES 2 Linux servers as easily as they have been able to attach to NetWare servers. The NCP Server for Linux enables support for login script, mapping drives to OES 2 Linux servers, and other services commonly associated with Novell Client access.

For more information on NCP Server for Linux, see the OES 2 SP2: NCP Server for Linux Administration Guide.

17.3.2 Native File Access Protocols

On NetWare servers, the Native File Access Protocols (NFAP) service allows users of Windows, Macintosh, and UNIX/Linux workstations to access NetWare server data through their native interfaces. No Novell Client software is required.

With NFAP, Windows workstations can access data through the Common Internet File System (CIFS) protocol. Macintosh workstations can access data through the Apple Filing Protocol (AFP). UNIX/Linux workstations can access data through the Network File System (NFS) protocol.

17.3.3 NetStorage

NetStorage provides Web access to the files and directories on OES 2 servers from browsers and Web-enabled devices such as PDAs.

In OES 2, NetStorage is available for both NetWare and Linux and both are capable of pointing to the file systems on the other. Because NetStorage is a service that facilitates access to file services in various locations but doesn't actually store files, there are no coexistence or migration issues to consider.

For more information about NetStorage, see the NW 6.5 SP8: NetStorage Administration Guide or the OES 2 SP2: NetStorage for Linux Administration Guide.

17.3.4 Novell AFP

Novell AFP provides native AFP protocol access from Macintosh workstations to data on OES 2 Linux servers, offering the same basic AFP connectivity that was previously available only on NetWare. No Novell Client software is required.

For information on migrating AFP services from NetWare to OES 2 Linux, see Migrating AFP from NetWare to OES 2 SP2 Linux in the OES 2 SP2: Migration Tool Administration Guide.

17.3.5 Novell CIFS

Novell CIFS provides native CIFS protocol access from Windows workstations to data on OES 2 Linux servers, offering the same basic CIFS connectivity that was previously available only on NetWare. No Novell Client softward is required.

For information on migrating CIFS services from NetWare to OES 2 Linux, see Migrating CIFS from NetWare to OES 2 SP2 Linux in the OES 2 SP2: Migration Tool Administration Guide.

17.3.6 Novell iFolder 3.7

iFolder 3.7 supports multiple iFolders per user, user-controlled sharing, and a centralized network of servers to provide scalable file storage and secure distribution. Users can share files in multiple iFolder folders, and share each iFolder folder with a different group of users. Users control who can participate in an iFolder folder and their access rights to the files in it. Users can also participate in iFolder folders that others share with them.

Novell iFolder 3.7 is available only on OES 2 Linux.

For information on migrating from iFolder 2 to iFolder 3.7, see Migrating iFolder 2.x in the OES 2 SP2: Migration Tool Administration Guide.

17.3.7 Samba

OES 2 Linux includes Samba software to provide Microsoft CIFS and HTTP-WebDAV access to files on the server. This is especially useful to those who don’t want to use the Novell Client.

There is no migration path from Novell CIFS (NFAP) to Samba.

For more information about Samba in OES 2, see the OES2 SP2: Samba Administration Guide.