[mpancha]

I'm trying to fix a few file sharing issues we were having with a Windows 2003 server. At this point I have the AFP shares working, but I keep reading about needing to install Microsoft UAM on several web sites for some authentication reasons. When I go to the link on MS for UAM (Windows 2000 Network) however, it specifies Windows 2000 Server, and makes no mention of Windows 2003 Server.

Does anyone know if this is something I will need to install on the Apple computers in the office? All of our servers are running Windows 2003 Server. Also, in layman's terms, what does UAM do that makes me need to install it?

Thanks in advance.

[P]

Windows uses several different authentication modes for Samba/SMB (ie Windows File Sharing). If the Mac is not connected to Active Directory, Apple by default only supports the oldest one, NTLMv1. That version is very unsafe because of its short keylength, so server administrators like to disable the usage of it if the network is open to non-trusted parties. The MS UAM implements NTLMv2, which has a longer keylength. Haven't used it myself in a few OS X revisions, but itt worked well back when I had reason to use it (10.2 days). Give it a try on a Mac that has problems and see if it helps.

All of this is irrelevant if the Macs are connected to an Active Directory domain. If they are, NTLM is not used at all (authentication is made using Kerberos).