Mac OS X Server is an ideal platform for providing network services to Windows clients, whether in a Windows-only or mixed-platform environment. Leveraging the latest open source technologies, Mac OS X Server offers native workgroup services—file and printer sharing, directory and authentication services, and VPN—for Windows clients. Apple’s industry-leading administration tools make these open source services extremely easy to set up and manage. And the Unlimited-Client Edition of Mac OS X Server allows you to scale your network as your needs grow—without draining your IT budget.

Apple has integrated Samba 3, the latest version of the popular open source SMB/CIFS server, with Mac OS X Server version 10.4 to deliver high-performance, reliable file and printer sharing for Windows clients, as well as support for NT Domain services. New support for access control lists (ACLs) provides flexible file system permissions that are fully compatible with Windows Server 2003 and Windows XP. With NT Domain services, Mac OS X Server can host network home directories and roaming profiles for Windows clients and provide single sign-on authentication to network services, without requiring organizations to take on the complexity and expense of an Active Directory infrastructure. For businesses and institutions that have already deployed Active Directory, Mac OS X Server can deliver cost-effective workgroup services while still providing native Active Directory domain integration for permissions, user and group account information, and authentication.