IBM Support

IBM i NetServer

General Page

IBM i NetServer is an IBM i function that enables SMB (Server Message Block) clients to access IBM i shared directory paths and shared output queues.


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Welcome to the Neighborhood!

IBM i NetServer opens the door to file and print serving via My Network Places (formerly known as Windows Network Neighborhood). Here's more on how to get IBM i NetServer working for you and what it means to you from an end user point of view.

IBM i NetServer is integrated in IBM i (formerly System i, i5/OS, OS/400) starting with V4R2. Without any additional client software, PC clients on the network utilize the file and print-sharing functions that are included in their operating systems (e.g. My Network Places) to access IBM i NetServer. You can configure IBM i NetServer properties and the properties of IBM i NetServer file and print shares with Navigator for i.

IBM i NetServer supports the Server Message Block (SMB), Server Message Block version 2 (SMB2) protocols.  It also supports the encryption features of Server Message Block version 3 (SMB3) starting in IBM i 7.4.  Clients access the server through the use of Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) on the IBM i platform. This communication allows clients to access directories in the IBM i Integrated File System and output queues.

IBM i NetServer provides support for the following client operating systems:

  • IBM i NetClient File System (QNTC)
  • Actively supported Windows versions
  • Linux (Samba client support)
  • macOS

IBM i NetServer Features

  • The operating system of the PC client contains all of the software that is required to access IBM i NetServer. IBM i NetServer does not require that you install additional software on the client.
  • IBM i NetServer allows the network administrator to share selective portions of the integrated file system tree, rather than exposing all of it.
  • With IBM i NetServer, you can share a directory with read-only access.
  • With IBM i NetServer, you can hide a share from the network by ending the share name with a '$'.
  • IBM i NetServer allows you to convert file content on a file extension basis.

Features




 

Getting started

Support by release

  • Clients
    Supported releases
    No longer supported
    Description of service or feature V7R5 V7R4 V7R3 V7R2 V7R1 V6R1 V5R4 V5R3 V5R2
    Windows for Workgroups
    Windows 95
    Windows 98
    Windows Me
    Windows NT 3.51
    Windows NT 4.0
    Windows NT Server 4.0, Terminal Server Edition
    Windows 2000 Professional
    Windows XP Professional
    Windows Server 2003 ✔Note1
    Windows Vista
    Windows 7 ✔Note1 ✔Note1
    Windows Server 2008 ✔Note1 ✔Note1
    Windows 8.1
    Windows 10
    Windows 11
    Windows Server 2012 R2
    Windows Server 2016
    Windows Server 2019
    Linux Samba
    macOS
  • Print serving
    Supported releases
    No longer supported
    Description of service or feature V7R5 V7R4 V7R3 V7R2 V7R1 V6R1 V5R4 V5R3 V5R2
    User ASCII, AFP, SCS
    Automatic sensing of the print stream for spooled file type
    Stand-alone AFP and SCS printer drivers
    Printer file support
    Printer share publishing to Active Directory
  • File serving
    Supported releases
    No longer supported
    Description of service or feature V7R5 V7R4 V7R3 V7R2 V7R1 V6R1 V5R4 V5R3 V5R2
    Access mode (read-only/read-write)
    Limit to maximum number of simultaneous users
    Large file support
    Text converting on the fly
    Complex data conversions
    Opportunistic locks
    SMB2
  • Starting/Jobs
    Supported releases
    No longer supported
    Description of service or feature V7R5 V7R4 V7R3 V7R2 V7R1 V6R1 V5R4 V5R3 V5R2
    Started with QSERVER subsystem
    Started as a TCP/IP server - automatic
    Multiple subsystems for client work
    Threading support
  • Security
    Supported releases
    No longer supported
    Description of service or feature V7R5 V7R4 V7R3 V7R2 V7R1 V6R1 V5R4 V5R3 V5R2
    Integration with iSeries user profile
    Hide IBM i NetServer from Network Neighborhood
    Hide print and file shares from Network Neighborhood with '$'
    NTLMv2 authentication capability
    Supports QPWDLVL (disable LANMAN passwords option)
    Kerberos ticket support 
    Kerberos and encrypted password co-existence ✔note1
    Message authentication/signing support
    SMB2 extended session security
    SMB3 encryption
    AUTL support to limit user access
  • NLS
    Supported releases
    No longer supported
    Description of service or feature V7R5 V7R4 V7R3 V7R2 V7R1 V6R1 V5R4 V5R3 V5R2
    Multiple network client code page support
    SMB NT Dialect (CIFS extensions) support
    UTF-8 support
  • Logon
    Supported releases
    No longer supported
    Description of service or feature V7R5 V7R4 V7R3 V7R2 V7R1 V6R1 V5R4 V5R3 V5R2
    Provides domain logon services
    Domain Master Browser support
    Supports IBM Networks Primary Logon Client v4.4
    Supports IBM Networks Primary Logon Client v4.5
  • Other
    Supported releases
    No longer supported
    Description of service or feature V7R5 V7R4 V7R3 V7R2 V7R1 V6R1 V5R4 V5R3 V5R2
    Network Neighborhood browsing
    Guest access
    WINS Client/Proxy
    Access allowed using iSeries system name
    Direct TCP/IP hosting on port 445
    Long username truncation/mapping
    GO NETS command menu tool
    Informational messaging (WinPopups)
    IPv6 Support
  •  

IBM i Navigator support maps to the following release:

  • V5R3 OS/400 - V5R3M0 iSeries Navigator
  • V5R4 i5/OS - V5R4M0 iSeries Navigator
  • V6R1 System i - V6R1M0 System i Navigator
  • V7R1 IBM i - V7R1M0 IBM i Navigator

Note1: Support announced after release general availability.

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Document Information

Modified date:
30 January 2023

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isg3T1026870