Common Internet File System Technical Reference

The Common Internet File System (CIFS) is a file sharing protocol. Client systems use this protocol to request file access services from server systems over a network. It is based on the Server Message Block protocol widely in use by personal computers and workstations running a wide variety of operating systems. This document is a collaborative effort to produce more comprehensive documentation of the network protocol used by existing CIFS (Common Internet File System) implementations. Based on the widely used SMB (Server Message Block) network protocol, CIFS has become a key file sharing protocol due to its widespread distribution and its inclusion of enhancements that improve its suitability for internet authoring and file sharing. It is an integral part of workstation and server operating systems as well as embedded and appliance systems. In addition there has been a recent expansion of NAS (Network Attached Storage) and SAN-like (Storage Area Network) network storage server products based on CIFS. Although primarily a file sharing and authoring protocol, CIFS assumes even more importance due to the indirect use of CIFS as a transport protocol for various higher level NT and Windows9x communication protocols, as well as for network printing, resource location services, remote management/administration, network authentication (secure establishment services) and RPC (Remote Procedure Calls).

This technical reference was produced by the CIFS Sub-Group of the

CIFS Technical Reference 1.00 (PDF)

Key Programs

• Data Management Forum
• Green Storage Initiative
• Storage Management Initiative (SMI)
• XAM Initiative