ExtremeZ-IP

ExtremeZ-IP

Category: Software - ExtremeZ-IP
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Data Sheet

 

   

Seamless Windows File and Print Server Access for Mac Users

With ExtremeZ-IP, a member of Group Logic’s Access family, Mac users can quickly and easily access Windows file and print servers. Thousands of IT Administrators use ExtremeZ-IP to overcome the operating system incompatibilities inherent between Windows and Mac OS X. As a result, their Mac users enjoy the same high quality, fast, secure and reliable access to Windows shared files and printers as their Windows users. This leverages existing Windows file server investments -- without the need to replicate information onto Mac OS X platforms.


The Challenges of a Mixed Mac-Windows Environment

If your organization is one of the estimated 80% of enterprises have Mac users1 that need to access digital assets in a mixed Mac-Windows environment, you know firsthand that Windows desktops and Macs communicate with one another differently. While these communication issues manifest themselves in a number of ways, when Mac users try to access Windows file and print servers in a mixed operating system environment, they typically experience performance and data integrity issues. Once Mac users experience performance or data integrity issues, your business is impacted in many ways:

  • Helpdesk calls from Mac users regarding file, print and backup issues increase up to 40%

  • Additional file storage needs drive up loads on networks and servers

  • Productivity drops as users can’t access files they need to do their jobs

  • End-user satisfaction plummets



The Benefits of ExtremeZ-IP

From the Windows System Administrator to the Mac end-user, ExtremeZ-IP makes everyone happy. Here are just a few examples of how ExtremeZ-IP benefits your organization:


Windows Administrators:

  • Reduce administrative costs as the same administrator can now support both Windows and Mac environments

  • Reduce hardware costs as you eliminate the need for Mac servers to support Mac users

  • Reduce help desk calls by as much as 40%

  • Reduce downtime in case of server restarts

  • Save space and reduce backup time as you keep improper files (e.g. MP3s) off servers,

  • Deliver enterprise-class IT services such as, DFS, Active Directory and virtualization to Mac users

  • Leverage Windows file servers as the target drives for Mac’s Time Machine desktop backups


    Mac Users:

  • Save time with simple, fully Mac-compatible file servers access

  • Find files fast -- and even leverage Mac’s built-in Network Spotlight to help find files even faster

  • Improve collaboration between Windows and Mac users

  • Enjoy better service, performance and responsiveness from IT

  • Eliminate the need to learn Windows in order to access Windows-based storage and printers

  • Easily access Microsoft DFS (Distributed File System) files

  • Enjoy single-sign on capability to all Windows-based systems



    Key Product Capabilities and Features

    ExtremeZ-IP offers unique product features and capabilities that you will not find in any other AFP Server:


    With ExtremeZ-IP, Windows System Administrators can:

  • Support significantly more Mac users than any other AFP server solution

  • Support all Mac OS versions 9 and later

  • Enforce file name policies for Mac files

  • Eliminate the need to index volumes at startup

  • Seamlessly integrate Macs into Active Directory

  • Give Macs access to Distributed File System (DFS) namespaces

  • Eliminate AppleTalk but maintain ease of use

  • Support Time Machine backups and control available backup disk space quotas per user or group


    With ExtremeZ-IP, Mac users can:

  • Retain the full “Mac” experience as they access Windows-based storage, printer and backup capabilities

  • Eliminate the need to search through thousands of files and instead search files significantly faster than SMB solutions

  • Continue to use long file names and files larger than 4GB if in accordance with IT administrative policies

  • Automatically discover and setup file and print servers for Mac access