IBM i NetServer versus IBM i Access for Windows

You do not need to install IBM® i Access for Windows or System i® Navigator to use IBM i NetServer.

Although IBM i NetServer provides specific support for accessing integrated file system and printing resources, it does not provide the same range of tools and interfaces as IBM i Access for Windows does.

IBM i NetServer and IBM i Access for Windows differ in the following ways:

IBM i NetServer

• You do not need to install software on your PC client to use IBM i NetServer. The operating system of your PC client contains all of the software that is required to access IBM i NetServer. IBM i NetServer does not require that you install additional software unless you are administering IBM i NetServer functions from a PC client by using System i Navigator.
• You can share a directory with read-only access.
• You can hide a share from the network by ending the share name with a $.
• You can hide IBM i NetServer from Windows My Network Places.
• You can share individual directories. This lends to better security.

IBM i Access for Windows

• IBM i Access for Windows provides additional functions: 5250 emulation and data transfer.