Networks: File, Web and Client Sharing
How do clients and servers relate in regard to network service access?
• The server provides network services which are accessed using client software.
• A protocol known to both client and server establishes the connection between them.
• The client and server can exist in different services.
Network services and network ports
• Services and connections are supported concurrently by the TCP or UDP protocol.
• At least one network port is assigned to each connection and service for communication.
Network discovery protocols
• Mac OS X supports two dynamic network discovery protocols. These are Apple Bonjour and Microsoft NetBIOS/WINS
How Mac OS X uses dynamic network discovery protocols
• A Mac OS X client transmits a broadcast request and all network devices using Apple Bonjour or Microsoft NetBIOS/WINS respond to the broadcast request.
Network file services you can connect to from the Finder’s Connect server dialog
• AFPv3
• SMB
• WebDAV
• NFSv4
• FTP
Populating items inside the Finder’s Network folder
• The Finder’s Network folder lists network file services using AFP or SMP protocols that have been dynamically discovered by the network discovery protocols.
• It also lists all network filesystems that are mounted at present.
• Only information gathered by AFP and SMB protocols changes items inside the Finder’s Network folder.
• Resources may show up in folders denoting WORKGROUPS or ZONES
Mac OS X file-sharing
• To allow other computers to access Mac OS X files, first set each Mac’s network identification.
• From the File Sharing Preference Pane in System Preferences, initiate file sharing options.
• You can also use a folder’s Get Info panel to set up file sharing of that folder.
SMB service-related password issues
• SMB maintains its own user and password list, so it is possible for an SMB user to have a different password from the user account with the same name.
Items accessible via AFP and SMB
• An administrative user may access the entire filesystem via AFO or SMB. This includes computer mounted storage devices, the home folder and Public and Shared folders.
• Standard users only have access to their own home folder and Public folders.
Default shared items
• By default, all users have access to the Public folders of local users.
FTP shared items
• When accessing the service, FTP users start in their own home folder. Depending on ownership and permissions of the local filesystem, they may have the ability to browse through the whole system.
Mac OS X Web-Sharing
• The Mac OS X Web-Sharing service is activated from the Sharing Preference Pane in System Preferences.
Computer and user website files
• Website files for the computer are found in /Library/WebServer/Documents folder.
• Website files for users are found under /Users/
Mac OS X Client-Sharing services
• Remote Login
• Screen Sharing
• Remote Apple Events
• Xgrid sharing
• Remote Management
Client-Sharing security risks
• An unauthorized user could potentially take control of your Mac in the event that Client-Sharing is compromised.
Application of Xgrid in Mac OS X
• Using preinstalled client software, each Mac system can participate in the Xgrid network, sharing computing resources and processes though Xgrid compatible applications or certain CLI tools.
• Mac OS X servers utilize the Controller application to coordinate and accept distributed computing into the Xgrid network.
