Apple AppleShare 3.0 File Server Controls - Manual (Page 2)

AppleShare File Server 3.0 software components
The AppleShare File Server 3.0 is composed of a number of files. The File
Server Extension provides the actual functionality of the file server. The
AppleShare File Server and the AppleShare Admin applications provide the user
interface for the server.
This section describes each of AppleShare File Server 3.0 software
components. The section "Data Files," later in this chapter, describes the
Users & Groups Data File and the AppleShare PDS file.
File Server Extension The File Server Extension contains the actual file
server code. It is an extension of the system and resides in the Extensions
folder. The File Server Extension is a launchable file, though its file type
is 'INIT' instead of 'APPL', which prevents users from starting it from the
Finder. (The 'INIT' file type also tells the system to put the file in the
Extensions folder and causes the extension to be opened during system
startup.) When the File Server Extension is launched, it runs as a background
application.
The File Server Extension contains no user interface of its own. The user
interface is provided by the AppleShare File Server and AppleShare Admin
applications (described next). These applications communicate with the File
Server Extension primarily by means of server control calls. Server control
calls are also the primary means of communication between server additions
and the file server. The File Server Extension communicates with remote
AppleShare clients through Apple Filing Protocol (AFP) sessions, and,
locally, with shared volumes and files by means of Macintosh File Manager
routines.
When the File Server Extension is launched, it checks its environment, the
Users & Groups Data File, and the desktop databases and AppleShare PDS files
of appropriate volumes. (The File Server Extension does not attempt to share
remote volumes, or volumes such as floppy disks or volumes that are ejected
and off line during startup.) If an important required condition is not
satisfied, the offending volume will not be prepared for use with the file
server or the file server will not be enabled.
Once started, the File Server Extension takes over the dispatching of all
file system calls -- both local calls and remote requests. Essentially, the
file server acts as a mediator between the network and your local HFS
volumes. The file server imposes access privilege constraints on AFP requests
and implements some calls that are not implemented in HFS -- such as those
that govern byte-range locking, access privileges, and extended file access
permissions.
AppleShare File Server The AppleShare File Server application provides part
of the user interface for the File Server Extension. Users start the file
server by opening the AppleShare File Server application. The AppleShare File
Server application also provides the interface for controlling and monitoring
the file server while it is running. The AppleShare File Server application
displays the Volume Info window, which lists the volumes that are available
on the server, and the Connected Users window, which lists users who are
currently logged on to the server. The Server menu lets you unmount volumes,
disconnect users, send messages to users, and set the greeting message. (See
the AppleShare Server 3.0 Administrator's Guide for more information about
the features of the AppleShare File Server 3.0 user interface.)