COMPLETED — In January 2013, Novell, the software currently providing access to files stored on the network (“U” drive, “P” drive, etc) and login to Windows computers on campus, will be replaced by Samba, an open source version of Microsoft’s Common Internet File Service. This will improve both stability and user experience.
Significant features of Lafayette’s Samba implementation include:
- Changes in Directory Presentation:
Samba will allow a user to access folders called “home” and “shared” which will present a customized view of only the files to which he/she has access. This “home” folder will replace the “U” drive and “shared” will replace the numerous shared departmental folders such as “P” and “Q”. - Client Changes:
- PCs will use Microsoft’s built-in Windows File Sharing, also known as SMB, instead of the Novell client. For more information, see Transitioning from Novell to Samba on Windows 7.
- Macs will use Apple’s built-in SMB protocol instead of AFP. For more information, see Connect to Samba from a Mac.
- Web Access will be provided by a modern Ajax-based web interface instead of Netstorage. For more information, see Connect to Samba from the Web.
- Samba access will be possible using apps available for an iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch, or Android. For more information, see Connect to Samba from an Android or Connect to Samba from an iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch.
Samba will be implemented according to the following schedule:
September 2012: ITS configures its internal Windows workstations to use Samba for authentication and also migrates data from the ITS N drive to Samba.
November 2012: ITS begins configuring Faculty and Staff Windows workstations to authenticate with Samba but data remains on Novell. Windows workstations affected by this change will behave as described in Preparation for the Novell to Samba data transfer. Access to Novell using a Mac or the web will not yet change.
December 2012: ITS works with lab managers to configure workstations to authenticate against Samba but data remains on Novell. Windows workstations affected by this change will behave as described in Preparation for the Novell to Samba data transfer. Access to Novell using a Mac or the web will not yet change.
December 27, 2012: Novell will not be available for 24 hours as ITS migrates all data (the P, Q, and other network drives) from Novell to Samba and configures all workstations to access their Network drives on Samba instead of Novell. Windows workstations affected by this change will behave as described in Post Novell to Samba data transfer. Novell will not be accessible, except in special cases. Network shares will be accessed differently using a Mac and the web as described in Connect to Samba from a Mac and Connect to Samba from the Web respectively. Access to files previously available on Novell will also be available on Samba from an Android or iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch.
For more information about Samba, please see Frequently Asked Questions about Samba, the ITS Samba Documentation page or feel free to open a ticket with a question.