Windows NT 4 file and print services

As with other operating systems, file and print services are at the core of the services offered by Windows NT 4. Any folder on any drive on the server can be made available to clients through a process called sharing. Sharing involves designating a certain folder to be available to clients and then setting up the parameters that govern how it is shared. These parameters can include a share name (which can be different from the folder name), the number of users who are able to connect to the share, and the security of the folder.

The security capabilities of the folder depend on which file system the disk that holds the folder is using. Folders on a File Allocation Table (FAT) partition can be secured at the share point only, and the rights assigned at that point are in effect from that point in the directory structure down. FAT volumes do not offer any file-level security, which is why in environments where more security is required, New Technology File System (NTFS) is used. With folders on NTFS partitions, it is possible to combine or choose the sharelevel permissions with additional NTFS permissions, which can then be assigned to each file or directory.

Print services are provided in much the same way. Any printer that is defined on the server system can be shared with users.