Apple Mac OS X Server (Administrator’s Guide) - Manual (Page 48)

48 Chapter 1
Search Policies
Before a user can log in to or connect with a Mac OS X client or server, he or she must enter
a name and password associated with a user account that the computer can find. A Mac OS X
computer can find user accounts that reside in a directory domain of the computer’s search
policy. A search policy is a list of directory domains the computer searches when it needs
configuration information.
You can configure the search policy of Mac OS X computers on the computers themselves.
You can automate Mac OS X client directory setup by using your server’s built-in DHCP
Option 95 support.
Chapter 2, “Directory Services,” describes how to configure search policies on any Mac OS X
computer.
File Services
Mac OS X Server makes it easy to share files using the native protocols of different kinds of
client computers. Mac OS X Server includes four file services:
m Apple file service, which uses the Apple Filing Protocol (AFP), lets you share resources
with clients who use Macintosh or Macintosh-compatible operating systems.
m Windows services use Server Message Block (SMB) protocol to let you share resources
with clients who use Windows, and to provide name resolution service for Windows
clients.
m File Transfer Protocol (FTP) service lets you share files with anyone using FTP.
m Network File System (NFS) service lets you share files and folders with users who have
NFS client software (UNIX users).
You can deploy network home directories for Mac OS X clients using AFP and for UNIX
clients using NFS. With a network home directory, users can access their applications,
documents, and individual settings regardless of the computer to which they log in. You can
impose disk quotas on network home directories to regulate server disk usage for users with
home directories.
Sharing
You share files among users by designating share points. A share point is a folder, hard disk
(or hard disk partition), or CD that you make accessible over the network. It’s the point of
access at the top level of a group of shared items.
On Mac OS X computers, share points can be found in the /Network directory and by using
the Finder’s Connect To Server command. On Mac OS 8 and 9 computers, users access share
points using the Chooser. On Windows computers, users use Network Neighborhood.
Chapter 4, “Sharing,” tells you how to set up and manage share points.