Microsoft Corp yesterday mounted a hostile response to Sun Microsystems Inc’s cute WebNFS, a browser-based implementation of the network file system (NFS). Redmond’s Common Internet File System (CIFS) is an enhanced version of the Server Message Block distributed file sharing system found in Windows, Windows95, WindowsNT and OS/2. It enables PCs to access network information over TCP/IP nets. WebNFS and CIFS allow users to share files directly on the Internet without requiring users to download or copy them to a local machine first. Microsoft has taken the spec off for consideration as an Internet standard. It rustled up Data General Corp, DEC, Intel Corp and Network Appliance Inc to endorse the protocol. Mountain View, California-based Network Appliance says it will launch a data access technology this fall to link WebNFS and CIFS and will integrate it into its NetApp file servers as well as selling it to third parties.
