Chapter 31. File Server Protocols

SOME OF THE MAIN TOPICS IN THIS CHAPTER ARE

Why File Server Protocols are Important 594

Server Message Block (SMB) and the Common Internet File System (CIFS) 595

NetWare Core Protocol (NCP) 608

Unix Network File System (NFS) 610

Microsoft Distributed File System (DFS) 623

The first thing that comes to mind when you think "network" is probably file and print services or servers. When an addition is made to the network for a new business unit, or when existing units are shuffled around and users and resources must be regrouped, it is usually the files that users access and the printing capacity they require that need to be given special consideration. Plan for the necessary bandwidth, and check the logical and physical topology of the LAN to be sure that you have the necessary capacity, either in bandwidth or in storage. This chapter details the protocols that are used for file services.

Chapter 44, "Network Printing Protocols," covers print services for the LAN.