What protocol is used for Network Drive?

18 Sep 2006 4:48 PM

typingcat

If you are using Windows, you can map a remote system's disk to a drive
at Explorer->Tools->Map network drive. I wonder what protocol (or
simply, what kind of service) does Windows use to recognize a network
drive and to communicate with it.

I mean, there are several applications that create "network drives" on
the user's system which is not actually network drives. For example,
there are some programs that map any FTP server to plain Windows
network drive. Can I can get any information about the protocol? I
searched the internet but I couldn't find it. The only thing I found
was WebDav, and it doesn't looks like what I'm looking for because
virtual folders created by WebDav is different from network drives
(they have no drive letter and their icon is a folder not a drive.) Any
information would be appreciated. Thank you.

18 Sep 2006 6:18 PM

Chuck

On 18 Sep 2006 09:48:30 -0700, typing***@gmail.com wrote:

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>If you are using Windows, you can map a remote system's disk to a drive
>at Explorer->Tools->Map network drive. I wonder what protocol (or
>simply, what kind of service) does Windows use to recognize a network
>drive and to communicate with it.
>
>I mean, there are several applications that create "network drives" on
>the user's system which is not actually network drives. For example,
>there are some programs that map any FTP server to plain Windows
>network drive. Can I can get any information about the protocol? I
>searched the internet but I couldn't find it. The only thing I found
>was WebDav, and it doesn't looks like what I'm looking for because
>virtual folders created by WebDav is different from network drives
>(they have no drive letter and their icon is a folder not a drive.) Any
>information would be appreciated. Thank you.

Windows Networking uses a service known as Server Message Blocks. SMBs can be
transported over IP, IPX/SPX, or NetBEUI.
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/07/windows-networking-and-alternate.html>
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/07/windows-networking-and-alternate.html

In most small LANs, you will have SMBs over NetBT (NetBIOS Over TCP/IP). Most
domains will use SMBs directly hosted on IP.
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2006/04/netbios-over-tcpip.html>
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2006/04/netbios-over-tcpip.html
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2006/07/advanced-windows-networking-using.html>
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2006/07/advanced-windows-networking-using.html

SMBs are understood by Linux, and Samba, also. This lets Windows share files
with computers running Linux and Macintosh, properly configured.

--
Cheers,
Chuck, MS-MVP [Windows - Networking]
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/
Paranoia is not a problem, when it's a normal response from experience.
My email is AT DOT
actual address pchuck mvps org.