Microsoft Services for Network File System

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Applies To: Windows Server 2003 R2

Microsoft® Services for Network File System (NFS) provides a file sharing solution for enterprises that have a mixed Windows and UNIX environment. With Microsoft Services for NFS, you can transfer files between computers running Microsoft Windows Server™ 2003 R2 and UNIX operating systems using the NFS protocol.

Microsoft Services for NFS is an update to the NFS components that were previously available in Windows® Services for UNIX 3.5. Microsoft Services for NFS includes the following new features:

  • Active Directory Lookup. The Identity Management for UNIX Active Directory schema extension, available in Windows Server 2003 R2, includes UNIX user identifier (UID) and group identifier (GID) fields, which enables NFS clients to look up UNIX identity information directly from Active Directory.

  • 64-bit support. Microsoft Services for NFS components can be installed on all editions of Windows Server 2003 R2, including 64-bit editions.

  • Enhanced server performance.

  • Support for UNIX special devices (mknod).

Microsoft Services for NFS enables you to support a mixed environment of Windows-based and UNIX-based operating systems. It also allows you to update your company's computers while supporting older technology during the transition phase. The following scenarios are examples of how enterprises can benefit from deploying Microsoft Services for NFS.

  • Allow UNIX clients to access resources on computers running Windows Server 2003 R2. Your company may have UNIX clients accessing resources, such as files, on UNIX file servers. To take advantage of new Windows Server 2003 features, such as Shadow Copies for Shared Folders, you can move resources from your UNIX servers to computers running Windows Server 2003 R2 and then configure Microsoft Services for NFS to enable access by UNIX clients that are running NFS software. All of your UNIX clients will be able to access the resources using the NFS protocol with no changes required.

  • Allow computers running Windows Server 2003 R2 to access resources on UNIX file servers. Your company may have a mixed Windows and UNIX environment with resources, such as files, stored on UNIX file servers. You can use Microsoft Services for NFS to enable computers running Windows Server 2003 R2 to access these resources when the file servers are running NFS software.

  • Take advantage of new 64-bit hardware. You can run Microsoft Services for NFS components on 64-bit editions of Windows Server 2003 R2.