Likewise is taking another step in advancing mixed networks with open source software.

Its new Likewise-CIFS software, currently in beta, will enable sharing files among Linux, Mac and Windows computers using Server Message Block, the popular networking protocol for file and print services, known as SMB and CIFS.

It’s supposed to be the only commercially supported CIFS/SMB file server available and of particular interest to storage vendors and the enterprise.

It’ll be in Likewise Open 5.2 under the GPLv2 license. The company also means to license the software on commercial terms that let an OEM embed the widgetry in its network attached storage software or network appliance.

The file server will include support for the SMB2 protocol to provide high-performance access to files across servers and clients running different operating systems.

Likewise figures upwards of 30,000 organizations are using its Likewise Open product to authenticate Linux, Unix and Mac systems with Microsoft Active Directory.

See www.likewiseopen.org for the beta.