Koozali.org: home of the SME Server
Legacy Forums => Suggestions => Topic started by: David Harper on June 05, 2001, 01:06:10 PM
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Let's be honest here - most of the clients serviced by e-smith will be Windows - after all, 92% of desktops last year came with Windows pre-installed, and M$'s push to Windows XP 2002 will (they hope) further consolidate this stranglehold.
Although e-smith, like most other Linux developers, waits at the mercy of various component developers, I believe that they can now afford to be more proactive in the area of Windows support.
(1) The integration of Samba 2.2 (and hopefully 3.0 sooner or later) would allow NT PDC emulation and other useful features.
(2) Not everyone is into 'i-bays'; simple SMB network sharing would be greatly appreciated!
(3) That 'Backup now!' button in the e-smith manager built-in would be a boon.
(4) Windows client software on the e-smith CD should be included. This should include the following:
- A connection manager to modify Windows Networking for DHCP, e-mail, etc., which would communicate directly over the network with the e-smith server (server name or IP manually supplied) to determine what was installed and its settings (simple INI file should do)
- Software for 'net connection, including Internet Explorer 5.5 SP1 / IE6, Windows Media Player, RealPlayer, QuickTime, Flash Player, etc. (all either freely distributable or free by arrangement) to simplify client setup
To work these wonders, the completely free and highly configurable Inno Setup (http://www.innosetup.com) with Pascal Scripting and Extensions could be used (its free).
(5) Support for changing passwords from the Users control panel in Windows is an absolute must (especially 9x/ME)
(6) Support Active Directory and IntelliMirror from within Windows is a must as well. End users with the Windows 2000 Professional / Server CDs should be able to install the VERITAS WINSTALL LE software directly onto the e-smith server (a WINE implementation, perhaps?)
(7) Anti-virus is a major defficiency in e-smith's arsenal. Although it is understandable that e-smith cannot venture into this murky world (and reinvent the wheel to boot), a suitable alliance with one of the various software manufacturers (Trend Micro, McAfee, etc) to provide this important service, it will become ever more nessecary as time progresses.
(8) Last, but not least, support for Windows clients (eg. LapLink Gold, video-conferencing software, games) should be expanded for more robust connectivity over the internet.
The e-smith server and gateway is a brilliant server solution. Hopefully its usefulness in Windows-centric environments will be greatly enhanced in the coming versions.
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That we would be great i have to agree on all of the 8 points that David Harper has said
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Yep, support this! All of my clients are Windows clients. Let's face the truth. Windows is on the desktop, because the user knows it and all the software that is available makes it a good choice for a business. And it is delivered as a pre-installation with new hardware. Anyway I need an affordable server system for my Windows clients which is e-smith server and gateway for me. Windows Small Business Server looked great to me until they showed me the price tag. So I decided after a longer search for e-smith server. And it paid of, even if it needs some further refinement to meet all of my needs. Better Windows Support is definately one.
Oliver Kindzorra