Group Logic has released ExtremeZ-IP 7.1, an update to the AFP-based file and print server platform that runs on Windows servers to support Mac clients. The update focuses on enabling smaller Mac networks to integrate with Microsoft's Distributed File System (DFS). The company also announced that it would provided services to help customers migrate from Apple's soon-to-be discontinued Xserve hardware platform to Windows-based servers.

Since version 6.0, Group Logic has made Mac DFS integration a feature only of the Enterprise Class site licensing, unlimited version of ExtremeZ-IP. Version 7.1 enables smaller Mac networks to gain access to DFS file shares by providing an optional add-on called DFSConnect. The new DFSConnect option enables as few as 10 Macs to access DFS shares. DFSConnect is available as an add-on license for the 10, 25, 50, and 100 client versions of ExtremeZ-IP Server.

DFSConnect provides full virtual DFS Namespace access to clients running Mac OS X 10.4 and later. It supports full DFS replication and, when authenticating against Active Directory at login, provides support for Mac clients to DFS-based portable home directories (DFS Home Directory support requires Mac OS X 10.5 or later). The DFSConnect add-on supports DFS referrals to ExtremeZ-IP's AFP server as well as to Microsoft's Windows SMB servers for mixed environments. DFSConnect is the only solution on the market that enables AFP file sharing protocol to work in a DFS environment.

Because upgrade contains various other maintenance improvements and enhancements, Group Logic is encouraging customers to upgrade to ExtremeZ-IP 7.1 even if they are not connecting to a DFS. The update is free for customers who have a current tech support license or who have purchased ExtremeZ-IP within a year. ExtremeZ-IP can run on a variety of Windows operating systems but is focused on Win 2003 Server and later, according to the company.

[ExtremeZ-IP 7.0 added support for Macs to work with Microsoft's Volume Shadow Copy (VSS) Service, among other things.]

Group Logic also announced that it plans to offer services to help sites migrate file servers from Xserves, which Apple will discontinue in January, to Extreme-Z running on Windows servers. The services will focus on moving files and the system setup, as well as security and administration settings.