As you can read in my “About” page, I’ve been involved with computing for a long time. Although the industry has seen tremendous progress during that time, every once in a while, something comes along that makes me think it is still 1980.
In the early days of personal computing (about 25 ago), when IBM PCs and Apple IIs started appearing on corporate desktops but before “LANs” became commonplace, the term “sneakernet” was used to refer to communicating information by physically walking it over. You’d write out your WordPerfect file to a 5-1/4″ “floppy” (which actually was “floppy”) then stroll over to your intended recipient. Pretty simple.
Later, even this simple scenario was complicated by the advent of 720Kb, 1.4Mb and 2.8Mb 3.5″ floppies (no longer “floppy”) and differences between IBM and Apple formats. The Mac used a weird variable speed technique that the PC could not read.
Even when networks started showing up in office settings, sneakernet remained popular. Early networks required that file exchange be accomplished by writing the data to a “file server” and then having the recipient read it from the agreed location. Connecting to a file server required magic NetWare or LANMAN command-line incantations.
“Windows for Workgroups” and, later, Windows 95 made PC networking much easier. Meanwhile Apple had a very easy to use network based in AppleTalk, yet another example of Apple’s willingness/bias towards doing things their own way.
It did not take long for the industry to consolidate on standards. AppleTalk, like “token ring” and other competing protocols gave way to Ethernet. Netbios and IPX gave way to TCP/IP. For a while, file sharing was not too hard. Users could easily “share” folders or store things in their automatically shared Public folders and use these file file exchange. It was okay to wear dress shoes to work and leave the sneakers at home.
The arrival and broad adoption of the Internet introduced new challenges that reversed this trend. The Internet made possible the effective use of WANs (wide-area networks) and the connection of companies and company branches that were not normally connected in a private network. Sharing files through sneakernet, now, became impossible because sneakers would not get you from New York to Japan or Australia (at least, not without getting them wet). On the other hand, sharing files through simple operating system mechanisms also became (almost) impossible, mostly, due to security concerns.
Within their LANs, companies often have liberal policies regarding what type of network traffic is allowed to occur. File sharing protocols work within these corporations because the necessary TCP/IP ports are available and communication to/from these ports is permitted. Corporations typically separate their internal LANs from the external Internet by using firewalls. Firewalls are typically appliances (or dedicated computers running networking software) that control what type of information is allow to flow between the internal LAN and the external Ethernet. The TCP/IP ports required for file sharing are usually blocked by firewalls. No IT director wants random strangers on the Internet to be able to access computers in their corporate LANs and to read shared files.
The net result (no pun intended) is that sharing files across the Internet has gotten complicated again. Some companies will set up special FTP servers outside their firewalls. Others might use Internet “collaboration” web sites to facilitate file sharing. More often than not, I see people simply e-mailing files to each other. Crude but simple. The electronic equivalent of sneakernet.
Another thing that makes file sharing complicated even within a LAN is the use of different operating systems. Once again, Apple is involved here but, this time, it’s got plenty of company. Mac OS X is based on the FreeBSD operating system – a UNIX variant. Mac OS X has the same challenges that Linux and all flavors of UNIX (AIX, Solaris, HPUX) have. In order for these systems to “talk” to Microsoft systems, they have to do one of two things: they have to “look like” a Windows client to get data from a Windows server or they have to look like a Windows server so that Windows clients can get data from them. (FTP is, again, an option in LANs but a relatively painful one).
The Samba open source software can help with both of these. Samba, for example, provides the smbclient utility that allows UNIX systems to get data from Windows servers using an FTP-like interface (but without requiring the Windows servers to run any FTP software). Samba also provides the smbd service (daemon) that allows a UNIX computer to look like a Windows server so that it can be accessed by Windows clients.
Setting up a Samba server can be a difficult task, especially if you want it to be integrated with Microsoft Active Directory and to supports its user authentication features. There’s a great 700+ page book that describes how to do it. Nevertheless, there’s no better way to do this. If you’re willing to forego AD security, setting up Samba is a lot easier.
Beyond Samba, there’s also the “smb file system” smbfs and some commercial products to allow Linux and Mac OS X to act like a Windows client. Additionally, Apple and Linux vendors have begun to build such functionality into their standard graphical “shells”.
Perhaps, in another 25 years, we’ll have it all worked out.
120 responses to “E-Mail – the New "Sneakernet"”
Thanks for this post, I am a big big fan of this internet site would like to keep updated.
An interesting discussion is worth comment. I do believe that you should write more about this subject, it might not be a taboo matter but usually people do not talk about these subjects. To the next! Kind regards!!
online pharmacy viagra viagra cialis cheap viagra
when will cialis go generic is cialis generic available how often to take 10mg cialis
viagra no prescription viagra low price is there a generic for viagra
ambien without a doctor’s prescription ways to treat erectile dysfunction best otc ed pills
otc viagra buy viagra online online viagra prescription
viagra from canada viagra canada canadian online pharmacy viagra
when will neuralink be ready
canada viagra buy viagra generic best over the counter viagra
non prescription erection pills cheap ed pills buy prescription drugs from india
ed cures that actually work drugs that cause ed ed men
medication online cheap drugs online medicine for ed
mens erection pills buy generic ed pills online online ed meds
best ed treatment
online drugstore cheap pills online over the counter ed medication
ed cures
canadian drug best canadian online pharmacy best ed pills
natural remedies for ed
https://ventolin100mcg.com/ ventolin on line
https://prednisonegeneric20.com/ order prednisone 10mg
https://valtrexgeneric500.com/ valtrex rx cost
https://zantacgeneric150.com/ zantac coupons
https://doxycylinegeneric100.com/
cheapest sildenafil sildenafil for sale
payday loans payday loans
buy tadalafil tadalafil for sale
learn forex trading in kenya
canadian online drugstore https://sildenafilxxl.com/ online pharmacy viagra
is it illegal to buy prescription drugs online online canadian pharmacy drugs and medications
generic ed pills canadian pharmacy online herbal ed
viagra price viagra pill viagra viagra without prescription
reasons for ed buy Zithromax ed meds
best ed treatment meds online without doctor prescription ed treatments that really work
buy prescription drugs without doctor: impotence treatment ed drugs compared
best drug for ed: best otc ed pills amoxicillin without a doctor’s prescription
cure ed: best ed pills comfortis for dogs without vet prescription
herbal ed: medications list the best ed pill
male dysfunction: buy online drugs dog antibiotics without vet prescription
levitra without a doctor prescription: help with ed real viagra without a doctor prescription usa
medications for canadian pharmacies online viagra without a doctor prescription walmart
male erection how to buy cialis from canada over the counter ed medication
zithromax z-pak zithromax 250 mg pill zithromax for sale cheap
viagra online how much viagra should i take the first time? mexican viagra
5mg cialis cialis in canada cialis tadalafil 20 mg
viagra prescription online https://genericvgr100.com online pharmacy viagra
over the counter viagra cvs https://genericvgr100.com canada viagra
viagra walgreens https://genericvgr100.online over the counter viagra cvs
Flagyl antibiotics Amoxil 100mg viagra without a doctor prescription
drugs online pharmacy in canada ontario canadian mail in pharmacy
buy Cenmox buy Cenmox erectile dysfunction pills
vitamins for ed canadian healthcare pharmacy pharmacy in canada ontario
buy ed drugs online canadian prescription drugs by mail find best canadian mail pharmacies
buy viagra walmart viagra price of viagra
canadian medications canadian pharmacies shipping to usa fda approved canadian online pharmacies
ed causes and cures do i have ed natural help for ed
best cure for ed buy medication online supplements for ed
erectile dysfunction drugs lipitor for sale where to buy lipitor
fzrowdkd viagra 100mg price where to buy viagra online
roman viagra https://cheapvgr100.online/ sdsbugal
when will viagra be generic https://cheapvgr100.online/ dsqoeaky
how much is valtrex zovirax tablets price uk valtrex online
acyclovir no presciption where to buy acyclovir cream zovirax cream otc
yasmin discount pharmacy yasmin 3mg 30mcg alesse birth control acne
zyrtec cream benadryl for sale in canada 200 mg benadryl
periactin cost order periactin fast and cheap benadryl 400 mg
bactrim ds 800-160 price of doxycycline amoxicillin 30 capsules price
allegra 45 tablets benadryl singapore 175 mg benadryl
clomid for sale shatavari capsules online serophene for sale
buy zyrtec usa allegra 90 mg periactin buy online uk
viagra without a prescription http://viagrastm.com/ viagra without prescription lzxzppom
expired cialis 3 years http://cialisirt.online/ viagra vs cialis vs levitra ujdpuhvu
viagra walgreens http://viagrastm.online/ viagra without a doctor prescription usa bxbdngqn
ed supplements https://canadianpharmacyvikky.com best ed treatments
buy prescription drugs online https://canadianpharmacyvikky.com drugs that cause ed
Very nice post. I simply stumbled upon your weblog and wished to mention that I’ve truly enjoyed surfing around your blog posts.
valtrex over counter cost of valtrex canada
buy ventolin online canada ventolin without a prescription
amoxicillin 500 mg without prescription buy cheap amoxicillin
amoxicillin where to get where can i buy amoxicillin over the counter
order valtrex online generic valtrex
valtrex without insurance valtrex valacyclovir
Thank you for each of your hard work on this web page. My aunt really likes going through investigations and it’s really obvious why. Most of us learn all of the lively method you offer practical strategies through this web site and even increase participation from some other people on the issue so our favorite girl is in fact learning a lot of things. Take advantage of the rest of the year. You are always doing a really good job.
buy prednisone tablets online can you buy prednisone online uk
valtrex no prescription price valtrex 1g best price
muse for ed https://canadarx24.com/ tadalafil without a doctor’s prescription
mens erection pills bgafwoov buy levitra herbal remedies for ed
online doctor prescription for viagra heriomqb cheap sildenafil best place to buy viagra online
can you buy viagra over the counter pidexpdk buy cheap viagra viagra prescription
jqwk viagra cost http://dietkannur.org gtuq kwyc
cialis canada tadalafil iiicjwrc cialis pills for sale
generic for cialis
cialis online cialis online tjsgibqv cialis samples request
price of cialis
levitra prescription: buy levitra – levitra generic
levitra 20 mg: levitra coupon – buy levitra online
levitra coupon: levitra – levitra 20 mg
generic levitra vardenafil: levitra prescription – levitra generic
tadalafil 100mg: tadalafil soft gel capsule 20mg – buy tadalafil online australia
viagra over the counter walmart http://genericvgr.com viagra without doctor prescription
daily use of cialis http://generictadalafil20.com cialis online
erection pills that work ed pills that really work
male erection pills
online ed medications non prescription ed pills
natural ed remedies
cheap ed drugs generic ed drugs
otc ed pills
top ed drugs online ed pills
erection pills that work
cure ed ed remedies
best medication for ed
ed pills cheap erectile dysfunction medicines
cheapest ed pills online
ed pills for sale best ed pills online
male erection pills
order erythromycin ciplox for sale
ketoconazole price
tetracycline generic trimox tablets
flagyl for sale
buy minocycline online buy nitrofurantoin
order ceftin
trimox tablets cipro generic
buy doxycycline
generic cephalexin omnicef tablets
cefadroxil online
order panmycin online bactrim for sale
buy suprax generic
suprax capsules augmentin capsules
order minocin online
Thanks for your tips. One thing we have noticed is always that banks and also financial institutions have in mind the spending behavior of consumers and also understand that a lot of people max out there their own credit cards around the holiday seasons. They prudently take advantage of this kind of fact and begin flooding the inbox and also snail-mail box together with hundreds of Zero APR card offers immediately after the holiday season comes to an end. Knowing that in case you are like 98% of all American open public, you’ll hop at the possiblity to consolidate personal credit card debt and move balances for 0 interest rates credit cards. hhhggil https://thyroidmedi.com – thyroid pain drugs
lowest price cialis cialis for daily use
cialis 5mg coupon
lowest cialis prices viagra vs cialis
can you have multiple orgasms with cialis
purchasing cialis on the internet when is the best time to take cialis
cialis price
fda warning list cialis hard erections cialis
can you have multiple orgasms with cialis
coupon for cialis by manufacturer 5 mg cialis coupon printable
how to take cialis
cialis dosage 40 mg dangerous canada price on cialis
cialis lowest price
cialis vs viagra effectiveness cialis without a doctor prescription
cialis erections
canada price on cialis п»їcialis
what are the side effects of cialis