At 21:56 -0700 1999'04'13, Philip Thomas wrote:
But if one has 400+ MACs in N different buildings what would be more convenient? (a) dedicating a UNIX machine to host packages like KA-Share (we run it on a low power machine; SGI's O2) (keep another machine also to avoid single point of failure) (b) go around and install yet an other package on 400+ desktops ? (and again when the next patch comes out!) I suppose it's a site specific choice.
I'm in complete agreement with you there. In addition I prefer the reexporting of NFS mounts for another reason: you don't have to retrain your users. The Mac users can use the normal Chooser/AppleShare interface; they don't need to know what kind of server hardware is running.
NetApp promotes DAVE (a SMB client from Thursby Systems) as the solution for toaster <-> Macintosh connectivity. One, you have to setup the toaster with CIFS; two, you have to install the client with an 18 digit license code unique to each installed workstation (thereby installing 3 control panels, 3 exetensions and 1 desk accessory); three, you have to train your users to understand how to navigate your NT domains using the DAVE. Oh, and I wouldn't trust a low level sysadmin to configure DAVE the first time without the help of a NT admin.
--clark http://macunix.com