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How to Setup A S.O.H.O
Mac OSX File Server
SUMMARY:
File Sharing permits numerous
people, to use, copy or access files that are stored on a main central computer
from their computers. When the set up is conducted in a proper manner, different
Apple operating systems like the Mac OS 9 and higher versions, several
Microsoft operating systems like the Windows 98 and above as well as many
flavors of UNIX can hook up with each other. This guide describes how to set-up
fundamental file sharing and concessions suitable for around 10 users. This will
be done using the functionality that is already built in to the Mac OS X. If you
need to connect more than 10 users, a version of the Mac OS X Server will need
to be purchased by you.
INTRODUCTION:
The basic
fundamental principles of Mac OS file sharing are rooted in the early Apple
models in which the pioneering networking facilities were added. Ever since
then, when it comes to both professional and personal file sharing Apple is the
leader of the market.
In today’s day
and age, every single Mac comes equipped with OS X and every pertinent thing
that is needed to build a server. There are many benefits of building a server:
·
You can create
a list of Users and their Access Privileges
·
You will be
able to share the substances and contents of a folder
·
Make a Drop
Box
·
You will also
be able to share with and hook up with other operating systems, like the
Microsoft Windows
·
And of course,
you can share content over the Internet
HOW TO GET
STARTED:
The very first
thing you need to build a server is some computers. In the interest of keeping
this guide specific, the File Server has to be a Mac. Mac OS X File Sharing can
be put to use by Mac OS X and OS 9, Windows (SMB) as well as UNIX systems (SSH).
FTP services are also offered. Preferably, a Server should have a good processor
speed and be a fast machine, like Apple's Quad PowerPC G5. It should also have a
minimum of one gigabyte of RAM. You need to figure out which models and
configurations will be best suited for you before you start.
Most highly
qualified experts are of the opinion that a File Server must be a computer
devoted to the task of serving files. This computer would rather not be used as
a common workstation. While it is a rare possibility, using the computer as a
workstation and accessing emails or writing a document, might result in an
application becoming unresponsive. This could cause the Server to crash and
unpredictably disconnect all the other users in the network. You could also end
up corrupting the documents used by the active users. In other words, one
mistake can end up messing up the whole system.
The computers
have to be networked collectively. Many processes can be used to connect the
computers like Ethernet (10 Base-T). You can also do this wirelessly by using an
Airport or WiFi or 802.11. You can also share over the Internet by using any
type of connection.
To give
permission and access one another, your networked computers will need IP
addresses. If you can hook up with the Internet, then your computer has an
official IP address to start off with.
When you need
to share files over the internet, you will have to ensure that the Server has
one of these two things in place. You will need to have an external IP address
or your router has to be configured in a way that will enable it to port traffic
to the Server. Your router manufacturer will be able to help you with
implementing this feature.
CREATION OF MULTIPLE USERS:
The first
thing you need to do is figure out the people whose computers you wish to
connect so as to access the files on the server. While they may be using
different operating systems, every User must have an account on the Mac OS X
Server. No guest access will be provided on the Server. The only way to set this
up is to log-in to the Mac OS X computer using an administrator account. Follow
these steps:
1.
Go to the Apple menu, click on System
Preferences.
2.
Click the View menu, select Accounts.
3.
Hit the "+" button. When you are asked to
Authenticate, just put in the password of an existing Administrator. Once this
is done, click on Enter.
4.
Now you will need to enter the User Name,
Short Name, Password and Password Hint for the user in question. Just to be
clear, the user's short name is basically the name that he/she will use to log
in to the Server. One thing to remember is that the short name has to be in
lowercase.
If you are using Windows 98: It is very important to log in using a
Windows 98 user name that matches your Mac OS X account's short name. a new
username for Windows 98 users will have to be created if it does not exist and
it has to match the account short name in Mac OS X. If you need more information
on how to use Windows operating systems, simply have a look at Microsoft
documentation or get in touch with Microsoft for further support. (If it is
Windows XP or Vista that you need help with, consult the
technical forums on Microsoft.com)
5.
If you wish for the User to administer the
Server, look into "Allow User to Administer”. When you do this the user will
have total access to every file on the computer.
6.
Select "Create Account" when done.
7.
Go back and redo steps 3-6 as many times as
needed.
8.
Leave System Preferences.
By default,
the Mac OS X SMB workgroup will be named "WORKGROUP". However, if you conducted
a custom installation of Mac OS X and declicked the BSD Subsystem, you will be
unable to change your workgroup name. This may stop you from sharing. If you
have done a standard installation, this will not be a problem. If needed,
reinstall Mac OS X 10.2 with the BSD Subsystem selected. When sharing files
between Mac and PC, ensure your workgroup names are precisely the same on both
computers.
STARTING APPLE FILE SHARING:
1.
Select System Preferences from the Apple
menu.
2.
Choose the Network icon.
3.
Select the port you are going to share on
(Built-in Ethernet or AirPort) when the Show pop-up menu appears.
4.
Select the AppleTalk tab.
5.
Select the checkbox to choose Make
AppleTalk Active.
6.
Apply Now.
7.
Select the Show All button which can be
found in the upper left corner of the window.
8.
Select the Sharing icon.
9.
When the Computer Name field pops up, write
the name that you need to show on the network for your computer.
10.
Select the Start option in the Personal
File Sharing.
FOR
WINDOWS FILE SHARING:
1.
In the Apple menu, go to System
Preferences.
2.
In the View menu, select Sharing. The
Bonjour Name field will be the one that will be used as the Mac OS X SMB host
name. The Windows Network Neighborhood will also display the same name.
3.
Click Windows Sharing which can be found in
the Service column. Your Network preferences need to be set to "Windows Sharing
On".
4.
The yellow prompts will lead the way. You
need to select the Enable Accounts button. Complete the consequent dialog as
suggested. You will need a consistent network connection so that Windows Sharing
service remains on.
MANAGING
PRIVILEGES:
When you
create an account, every User will be provided with a Home Folder which will be
located inside the Users Folder on the hard drive. Any files in individual
folders are typically only available to the individual user. On the other hand,
separate folder(s) can be created and can be given additional access privileges.
If you desire to extend the Access Privileges of a Home folder or any custom
folder for all users, simply complete these steps.
1.
Find the folder in a Finder window.
2.
Select Get Info (or Show Info) in the File
menu.
3.
Select the triangle located near the
Ownership & Permissions tab so as to disclose the current settings. If needed,
select the triangle next to Details in order to divulge additional information.
Choose the padlock located at the right of the Owner drop menu to Authenticate.
4.
Click Staff from the Group drop menu.
Access to Read & Write is the option that needs to be clicked.
5.
You can now Apply To Enclosed Items so as
to update the privileges with the click of a button.
6.
Shut the Get Info window.
HOW TO CONNECT
TO THE SERVER:
If you are
trying to connect using a Mac OS X computer, you need to complete these steps.
This is what
you need to do for a local connection:
1.
Select Connect to Server in the Go menu.
2.
Type the server's IP Address or you could
just click the Browse button. You will then have to choose the computer's name
from the list provided.
3.
Choose Connect.
This is what
you need to do for an Internet-based connection:
1.
Ensure that you are first connected to the
Internet.
2.
Select Connect to Server in the Go menu.
3.
When you see the Address field, enter the
IP address of the computer to which you want to connect.
4.
Choose Connect.
When you have
successfully connected, an icon for the shared disk will pop up in the Computer
listing seen in your Finder window. If you have chosen the option for "Connected
servers" to be seen on your desktop, it can be found in Finder Preferences.
This is what
you need to do if you are connecting from the Windows operating system:
If you are
using a computer that works on a Microsoft Windows operating system, be advised
that it will connect to Windows Sharing on the Mac just like it would to any
other Windows (SMB) sharing service. How to do it using My Network Places:
1.
Double-click My Network Places on your
desktop.
2.
Double-click Computers Near Me.
3.
Double-click the suitable computer in your
workgroup. You might be asked to type the user name and password that is needed
to gain access to the computer to which you are connecting. Provide the
information. Once you do this, a window will open up. This window will display
all of the shared folders and printers connected to the computer with which you
are hooking up.
4.
Double-click the shared folder to which you
need access. All of the subfolders and files in that shared folder will be seen.
Depending on the level of access you have been given, you can make changes or
update these files and subfolders.
If you need to
Connect to a Shared Folder by Using Universal Naming Convention (UNC) Format,
follow these steps:
1.
Select Start, and then Run. Enter the name
using UNC format, where computername is the name of the computer to which you
are trying to connect and sharename is the name of the shared folder on that
computer:\\computername\sharename. To provide you with an example, if you wish
to connect to a share that is named Data located on a computer that is named
Fileserver, enter \\Fileserver\Data.
2.
You may need to type the user name and
password that is required to gain access to the computer. Once you provide the
appropriate information, a window will open up and display the contents of the
share.
If you need to
Connect to a Shared Folder by Using a Mapped Drive, complete these steps:
1.
Click Start, stop at Programs, point to
Accessories, and then choose Windows Explorer.
2.
In the Tools menu, select Map Network
Drive.
3.
In the Drive box, click the drive letter
that you wish to use for this mapped drive. You will have to come up with a
drive letter that is not presently being used by your computer.
4.
In the Folder box, enter the name of the
share folder with which you wish to connect by using Universal Naming Convention
(UNC) format: \ \computername\sharename. You will also be able to map drives to
subfolders of the shared folder. All you need to do is include that information.
For example: \\computername\sharename\subfolder or, you can click Browse
followed by locating the computer to which you wish to connect the share folder
on that computer, or alternatively, the subfolder in that share.
You will have
to use Windows-legal names, if you are copying files to a Windows computer.
There are certain characters which when included in the file name won’t allow
you to copy it.
If you are
using Windows 98: If you log-in to Windows 98 with a particular username, ensure
that it is the same as your Mac OS X account's short name. You will need to
create a new Windows 98 username matching the account short name in Mac OS X, if
you do not use a username to log in to Windows 98 already.