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Section 3.9: Connecting to a UNIX Network

Windows XP Professional provides various levels of support for UNIX connectivity.

At the basic level of support, UNIX servers can be regarded as an Internet resource. This is because UNIX uses some of the protocols for communicating that are also available in Windows XP Professional, such as Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP), FTP (File Transfer Protocol), and Telnet. These protocols enable you to access files.

Print Services for UNIX is an add-on network component available in Windows XP Professional that provides access to UNIX line printer remote (LPR) printers.

Windows Services for UNIX 2.0 and Microsoft Interix are Microsoft programs that enable a wide range of interoperability, including the ability to:

• Connect to NFS (Network File System). NFS is the native file format for UNIX, equivalent to the NTFS File System in Microsoft Windows XP Professional.
• Run UNIX shell commands (operating system level commands).
• Run distributed applications on a network computer.

3.9.1: Configuring Interoperability with UNIX

A standard Windows XP Professional installation without any additional Microsoft or third-party software provides basic connectivity to UNIX. This level of connectivity involves utilizing the basic Internet standard Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) services and utilities within the Windows XP Professional operating system and the services configured on the UNIX network. This can be viewed as either a temporary change or a permanent configuration of the workstation, as the user can transition between the two network environments. For access to run application and to print to UNIX-based printers, Windows XP Professional provides both print services for UNIX and full Telnet client and server software.

3.9.2: Telnet

Telnet is a TCP/IP protocol found in almost all UNIX environments. Telnet server and Telnet client software are installed as part of the standard Windows XP Professional installation. The Telnet client and the Telnet server work together to allow users to communicate with UNIX workstations and servers.

3.9.2.1: Telnet Client

The Telnet client allows you to connect to a UNIX server and interact with that server through a terminal window as if you were sitting in front of it. Typical uses of Telnet include e-mail, file transfer, and system administration (remotely issuing commands to the UNIX server). When you access a UNIX server running Telnet client, you cannot use applications that interact with the desktop on the UNIX server.

3.9.2.2: Telnet Server

The Telnet server is a connection point for Telnet clients. When Microsoft Telnet server is running on a computer running Windows XP Professional, users on other UNIX workstations running Telnet client software can connect to the computer running Windows XP Professional. When a Telnet client connects to the Windows XP Professional Telnet server, the user is asked to enter a user name and password. By default, only user name and password combinations that are valid on the local server can be used to log on to that server. Once logged on, a user is given a command prompt that can be used as if it had been opened in a command prompt window locally. By default, however, the user cannot use applications that interact with the Windows XP Professional desktop.

All members of the Administrators group can use Telnet. Access to the system through a Telnet server by other users is controlled by membership in the Telnet Clients group. By default, this group contains one entry, "Everyone." If you want to restrict who can access the system using Telnet, remove "Everyone" from the Telnet Clients group and add the users or groups that you want to give Telnet access to the system. The Telnet server service is not started by default. To start the Telnet service:

• Click on the start button
• Right-click MY COMPUTER
• Click MANAGE.
• In Computer Management, expand services and applications
• Click SERVICES.
• In the details pane, right-click telnet
• Click START.

Note: The Telnet server included with Windows XP Professional supports a maximum of two Telnet clients at a time. If you need additional licenses, use Telnet server from the Microsoft Services for UNIX Services for UNIX supports up to 63 Telnet clients at a time.