NFS Server

What is NFS Server?

The NFS Server is a daemon (Windows 95) or a service (Windows NT) that runs on your Windows computer and lets you share files and directories with other Windows computers and UNIX workstations connected to your network. The NFS Server is a Winsock application and it supports NFS version 2 functionality. The NFS Server will not turn your computer into a full-fledged file server. Rather, NFS Server provides a simple mechanism for the casual sharing of PC-based files among a limited number of users.

Using NFS, what can I share with coworkers?

With NFS Server, you can share files and folders located on your computer or devices, such as a CD-ROM drive.

How do I share files, folders and devices?

To share files, folders and devices you configure the NFS Server program and then start it. From then on, any coworker who has network access to your computer and who has the right to access your shared devices, can mount a drive pointing to the shared device.

Who can access my shared devices?

When configuring the NFS Server, you specify which remote computer may access your shared devices. These remote computers are either Microsoft Windows computers running Solstice Network Client, or UNIX workstations. Remote computers that have access to shared devices are referred to as NFS Server clients.

Can I restrict access to my shared devices?

NFS Server lets you restrict access based on a list of names of remote NFS Server clients rather than on the basis of individual users. For example, restricting access to a remote computer called galaxy means that no user working on galaxy has access to your shared devices. You cannot specify that certain users on galaxy can access your shared devices while others cannot.

What other type of restrictions can I specify?

In addition to specifying which NFS Server client can access your shared devices, you can restrict access based on the following:

• By type of access: Read Only or Read/Write

• By prompting NFS Server clients to enter a password

Where does NFS Server store access rights data?

NFS Server maintains the list of shared devices in the Windows 95 or Windows NT Registry. The only way to modify this information is though the NFS Sharing property sheet that you access through the Windows Explorer program.

Must the NFS Server program be running to enable coworkers to access shared devices?

Yes, without NFS Server running on your computer, coworkers will not be able to see your shared devices. As a courtesy to your coworkers, we suggest you add NFS Server in the Start Programs menu so that it is started automatically when you start Microsoft Windows.

Where can I find out about problems with NFS Server?

You can enable the logging of NFS Server and Port Map activities using the Logging command in the NFS Server and Port Map menus. Once you have enabled logging, you must make sure that the Network Event Log program is running. Start Network Event Log by clicking its icon in the Solstice program group, or by entering sunwsyslogd at the Run prompt. Also refer to the Troubleshooting section in the NFS Server online help.