Today, Group Logic added support for Windows 2008 Server with the release of ExtremeZ-IP 5.3, a new version of the Windows-based file and print server for Mac clients. Microsoft removed all Mac support from Windows Server 2008, including Services for Macintosh and Print Services for Macintosh. This makes ExtremeZ-IP the only solution for Windows Server 2008 to support Mac OS X's native AFP file sharing protocol and other Mac technologies.

“The goal is to provide the full Mac experience for users,” said T. Reid Lewis, Group Logic's CEO.

By using AFP and other Apple technologies, ExtremeZ-IP provides features that users and managers don't have with SMB/CIFS file and print sharing. This includes storing documents as a single file on the server, instead of two, as occurs with SMB. Lewis said that this method of storage resists corruption. Using AFP also enables the use of the entire range of file names. ExtremeZ-IP uses Apple's Bonjour technology to enable Macs to discover printers on the Windows network.

ExtremeZ-IP also uses a technology that enables Macs to see a list of server-based files without taxing the server or giving slow performance for the user. ExtremeZ-IP also provides for fast searches of the server from a Mac client, and works with Active Directory permissions.

A Group Logic survey of 350 IT professionals showed that 41 percent of respondents plant to migrate to Windows Server 2008 by the beginning of 2009.

ExtremeZ-IP 5.3 is a free upgrade for 5.x customers with a Group Logic maintenance contract.

If you've tried ExtremeZ-IP 5.3 on Windows Server 2008 what you think of it.