The issue

We continue to make progress in the design and implementation of our INTRANET. Now, we need to address the issue of storing user and corporate files/folders.

We have successfully centralized the management of corporate information computationally, utilizing an LDAP Active Directory, and deployed important network services such as DHCP, DNS, and NTP. This infrastructure allows users across the organization to access computational resources on Linux platforms seamlessly, efficiently, securely, and with ease of maintenance, regardless of their location within the INTRANET.

However, a new challenge arises when users, from their client devices, need to access their files or shared files within the organization.

• How should we manage access to data storage?

• Should it be centralized or distributed?

• Should we replicate and synchronize files in a distributed manner, or centralize them while managing access in an organized and secure manner?

• Can we achieve transparency, or should we delegate access to the users based on their location?

Additionally,

• How do we ensure seamless access to resources and user files for users on MS Windows platforms?

• How can we ensure transparency in accessing resources and/or user files regardless of the platform's nature (Linux/Windows)?

These questions will be addressed in our upcoming laboratory session.