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Deploying SMB server-based services

You can deploy a number of SMB/CIFS server-based services that can provide you with enhanced functionality for your SMB deployment. CIFS server-based services include dynamic home directories, SMB access to Linux symbolic links, BranchCache remote office caching, automatic node referrals, ODX copy offload, and folder security using access-based enumeration (ABE).

  • Managing home directories
    You can use ONTAP home directory functionality to create users' home directories on the CIFS server and automatically offer each user a dynamic share to their home directory without creating an individual SMB share for each user.
  • Configuring SMB client access to Linux symbolic links
    You can configure the CIFS server to provide SMB client access to Linux symbolic links. The symbolic links can point to files within the volume that contains the share, or to files that are contained in other volumes on the SVM, or even to volumes contained on other SVMs.
  • Using BranchCache to cache SMB share content at a branch office
    BranchCache was developed by Microsoft to enable caching of content on computers local to requesting clients. ONTAP implementation of BranchCache can reduce wide-area network (WAN) utilization and provide improved access response time when users in a branch office access content stored on storage virtual machines (SVMs) using SMB.
  • Improving Microsoft remote copy performance
    Microsoft Offloaded Data Transfer (ODX), also known as copy offload, enables direct data transfers within or between compatible storage devices without transferring the data through the host computer.
  • Improving client response time by providing SMB automatic node referrals with Auto Location
    Auto Location uses SMB automatic node referrals to increase SMB client performance on storage virtual machines (SVMs). Automatic node referrals automatically redirect the requesting client to a LIF on the node SVM that is hosting the volume in which the data resides, which can lead to improved client response times.
  • Providing folder security on shares with access-based enumeration
    When access-based enumeration (ABE) is enabled on an SMB share, users who do not have permission to access a folder or file contained within the share (whether through individual or group permission restrictions) do not see that shared resource displayed in their environment.