Sharing data across a network has been a feature of computer operating systems from the very earliest days of networking. This chapter looks at Windows Server 2016 features that enables you to share files and folders and to use the data that you have shared.
Microsoft's LAN Manager was the company's first network offering. It enabled client computers to create, manage, and share files in a secure manner. The protocol that LAN Manager used to provide this client/server functionality was an early version of the Server Message Block (SMB) protocol.
SMB is a file-level storage protocol that enables you to share files and folders securely and reliably. To increase reliability, you can install a cluster and cluster the file server role. This is an active-passive solution.
A Scale-Out File Server (SOFS) is a clustered file service where all nodes are active. With...