Overview of Microsoft Interoperability Solutions for Windows XP Professional

The Microsoft Windows XP Professional operating system includes standards-based protocols and services to promote interoperability with non-Microsoft platforms. Microsoft also offers products to support a more comprehensive level of cross-platform interoperability between Windows and UNIX and Linux operating systems, IBM Host Systems, Novell NetWare, and Apple Macintosh computers.

Where applicable, the Microsoft interoperability solutions are designed to provide four layers of cross-platform interoperability:

• Network interoperability. Provides basic network connectivity across heterogeneous platforms. Standards-based network protocols, including terminal access protocols and print service protocols, enable basic network connectivity between Windows XP Professional and non-Microsoft platforms. Network interoperability protocols also provide the basis for more comprehensive data, application, and management interoperability solutions.

• Data interoperability. Allows users and applications to access and query information stored in both structured and unstructured storage engines on multiple platforms. For example, Windows XP Professional users who work in a heterogeneous computing environment might need to access data on NetWare file servers, UNIX Network File System (NFS) hosts, IBM mainframes, or IBM AS/400 systems.

• Application interoperability. Allows Windows-based applications and multi-tier Web applications to interoperate with existing applications and business logic across heterogeneous application platforms. For example, a Windows-based application might need to participate in transactions with systems that use IBM Customer Information Control System (CICS), Advanced Program-to-Program Communications (APPC) protocols, or standards-based Web services.

• Management interoperability. Allows administrators to manage computers, user accounts, security settings, and system events across multiple platforms. For example, an administrator might need to synchronize user accounts and passwords for Windows, UNIX and Linux operating systems, Novell NetWare, and IBM host systems.

Table J-1 summarizes the Microsoft interoperability solutions that support Windows XP Professional interoperability at each interoperability layer for each of the major computing platforms:

Table J-1: Microsoft Interoperability Solutions for Windows XP Professional

Platform	Network	Data	Application	Management
Interoperability with UNIX	Connect to UNIX TCP/IP services through Windows XP TCP/IP protocols	Access UNIX NFS file services through Windows Services for UNIX	Run Telnet terminal sessions, support UNIX application programming interfaces (APIs), port applications with Windows Services for UNIX	Run UNIX shell utilities and synchronize passwords through Windows Services for UNIX
Interoperability with Novell NetWare	Connect to NetWare Servers through Windows XP NWLink protocols	Access NetWare files through Windows XP Client Service for NetWare	Not applicable	Access NetWare bindery-based tools through Windows XP Client Service for NetWare and directory synchronization tools through Microsoft Services for NetWare
Interoperability with IBM host systems	Support secure connections to IBM mainframes and AS/400 systems through standard Web services or through Microsoft Host Integration Server Systems Network Architecture (SNA) network services	Transfer files and access IBM host data through Microsoft Host Integration Server	Support terminal access, integrated transactions and messaging, and Web-to-Host integration through Microsoft Host Integration Server	Map user accounts, synchronize passwords, provide single sign-on, monitor host events and SNA or Advanced Peer-to-Peer Networking (APPN) resources through Microsoft Host Integration Server
Interoperability with Apple Macintosh systems	Provide secure network connectivity and remote access through Windows Server Services for Macintosh	Share files and printers through Windows Server Services for Macintosh	Share application data between Microsoft Office for Windows and Microsoft Office for Macintosh.	Administer Services for Macintosh through a remote connection to the Windows Server Microsoft Management Console (MMC).

These Microsoft interoperability solutions are described in more detail in the following sections.