Apple Mac OS X Server (Administrator’s Guide) - Manual (Page 224)

224 Chapter 5
Apple File Service
Apple file service allows Macintosh client users to connect to your server and access folders
and files as if they were located on the user’s own computer. If you are familiar with
AppleShare IP 6.3, you will find that Apple file service in Mac OS X Server functions in the
same way. It uses a new version of the Apple Filing Protocol (AFP), version 3.1, which
supports new features such as Unicode file names and 64-bit file sizes. Unicode is a standard
that assigns a unique number to every character regardless of language or the operating
system used to display the language.
One difference in the new Apple file service is that AppleTalk is no longer supported as a
connection method. Mac OS X Server advertises its services over AppleTalk so clients using
AppleTalk can see servers in the Chooser, but they will need to connect to the server using
TCP/IP. See “Supporting Mac OS X Clients” on page 259 and “Supporting Mac OS 8 and
Mac OS 9 Clients” on page 260.
Automatic Reconnect
Mac OS X Server provides the ability to automatically reconnect Mac OS X clients that have
become idle or gone to sleep. When clients become idle or go to sleep, the Mac OS X Server
disconnects those clients to free up server resources. Mac OS X Server can save Mac OS X
client sessions, however, allowing these clients to resume work on open files without loss of
data. You configure this setting in the Idle Users pane of the Apple file service configuration
window. See “Configuring Apple File Service Idle Users Settings” on page 228.
Find By Content
Mac OS X clients can use Sherlock to search the contents of AFP servers. This feature
enforces privileges so that only files to which the user has access are searched.
Kerberos Authentication
Apple File Service supports Kerberos authentication. Kerberos is network authentication
protocol developed at MIT to provide secure authentication and communication over open
networks. In addition to the standard authentication method, Mac OS X Server utilizes
Generic Security Services Application Programming Interface (GSSAPI) authentication
protocol to support Kerberos v.5. You specify the authentication method using the Access
pane of Configure Apple File Service. See “Configuring Apple File Service Access Settings” on
page 226. For information about integrating your Mac OS X Server with Kerberos, see
“Understanding Kerberos” on page 198.
Apple File Service Specifications
Maximum number of connected users,
depending on your license agreement Unlimited (hardware dependent)
Maximum volume size 2 terabytes