Hi,
this is a good question: must CIFS be licensed to use SnapDrive for Windows?
I've never had the chance to perform some test but I think that the answer is "yes". And you know why: because SnapDrive for Windows needs to 'see' and 'reach' the volume where you create the LUN(s) by CIFS using a UNC path.
It's also true that there a limited CIFS that permit to access to the administrative share C$ but, as example, when I've tried to upgrade a DataOntap using the windows package, without a full CIFS license, the unzip of data failed!
So. Why customer ha sto spend money for an unused license if he needs only SAN functions.
Regards