Samba specialist SerNet claims specifications from MS
SerNet claimed the protocol specifications from Microsoft in order to enhance the open source software and make it interoperable.
Two weeks ago, the European Supreme Court denied a claim by Microsoft and confirmed a prior judgement by the European Commission. Besides a fine of 497 million euros, the concern was forced to publish the specification of its software to other providers to enable them to customise their products for better support of the Microsoft operating system. Samba service provider SerNet is basing its claim for disclosure of the specification by January 15 2008 on the judgement with the aim of improving Samba interoperability with Windows. The deadline set by SerNet is oriented on the 120 days which Microsoft was granted for compliance by the court.
Samba is free software that makes the Server Message Block protocol available to Linux and Unix systems giving them the ability to emulate the functionality of a Windows server. Right now, the Samba team is working on software that will improve the interoperability of Samba servers with Windows servers and Active Directory. A subproject dubbed “samba4AD” is aiming to develop an Active Directory Server on Samba for which the MS protocol specifications are be required.
SerNet is one of the major players in the international Samba project and thus assumed the role of spokesperson: "In this coherence it is important to be able to develop the Samba under GPL Version 3." says Loxen. He does not consider the licensing offered by Microsoft (MCPP and WSPP) to be practicable for the Open Source project. Besides that it would not be compatible with the GPL v3, according to Loxen.
Microsoft has publically distanced itself from GPL v3 and declared the policies and procedures to be invalid as a precaution. In contrast to this, the Samba team moved to the new GPL license shortly after its introduction and, at the same time, condemned the patent agreements between Microsoft and several Linux distributors. Due to this, the SerNet CEO does not expect a solution in near future: "If Microsoft offers a license contract that is incompatible with the GPL v3, the specifications would not help us at all." said Loxen in an interview with Linux Magazine online.
Issue 269/2023
Buy this issue as a PDF
Subscribe to our Linux Newsletters
Find Linux and Open Source Jobs
Subscribe to our ADMIN Newsletters
Find SysAdmin Jobs
News
-
Kubuntu Focus Announces XE Gen 2 Linux Laptop
Another Kubuntu-based laptop has arrived to be your next ultra-portable powerhouse with a Linux heart.
-
MNT Seeks Financial Backing for New Seven-Inch Linux Laptop
MNT Pocket Reform is a tiny laptop that is modular, upgradable, recyclable, reusable, and ships with Debian Linux.
-
Ubuntu Flatpak Remix Adds Flatpak Support Preinstalled
If you're looking for a version of Ubuntu that includes Flatpak support out of the box, there's one clear option.
-
Gnome 44 Release Candidate Now Available
The Gnome 44 release candidate has officially arrived and adds a few changes into the mix.
-
Flathub Vying to Become the Standard Linux App Store
If the Flathub team has any say in the matter, their product will become the default tool for installing Linux apps in 2023.
-
Debian 12 to Ship with KDE Plasma 5.27
The Debian development team has shifted to the latest version of KDE for their testing branch.
-
Planet Computers Launches ARM-based Linux Desktop PCs
The firm that originally released a line of mobile keyboards has taken a different direction and has developed a new line of out-of-the-box mini Linux desktop computers.
-
Ubuntu No Longer Shipping with Flatpak
In a move that probably won’t come as a shock to many, Ubuntu and all of its official spins will no longer ship with Flatpak installed.
-
openSUSE Leap 15.5 Beta Now Available
The final version of the Leap 15 series of openSUSE is available for beta testing and offers only new software versions.
-
Linux Kernel 6.2 Released with New Hardware Support
Find out what's new in the most recent release from Linus Torvalds and the Linux kernel team.