Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

Native Support For Windows File Sharing Coming To Chrome OS (arstechnica.com)

Posted by msmash on from the up-next dept.

Chrome OS 70, which Google plans to release in the second half of next month, will include native support for SMB file shares, giving it built-in access to files stored on Windows servers. With this, Chrome OS users can add SMB file shares to the Files app and use them to store and load documents. From a report: Currently, using these network resources requires the use of an extension that adds a similar ability to add file shares to the Files app. Google has been working to make Files a more capable application. As well as integrating support for networked files, the company is also experimenting with giving it more access to Android files, something that will streamline the use of Android applications by exposing their data files to Chrome OS apps. The SMB support helps smooth a pain point when mixing Chromebooks with other systems: it makes it easier to use Chrome OS with corporate file servers, home networked storage devices, and of course, Windows PCs. Instead of needing the extra extension to be installed, these things will just work out of the box.

8 of 51 comments (clear)

  1. I don't know why... by QuietLagoon · · Score: 2

    ... but with the combination of Windows file sharing and a browser, this looks like a security problem just waiting to happen. There is too much complexity being added to browsers, too many attack surfaces. At what point is it not possible to assure proper levels of security?

    1. Re:I don't know why... by JackieBrown · · Score: 3, Informative

      It's for ChromeOS not Chrome.

  2. Linux? by fluffernutter · · Score: 2

    I thought it was linux? Why not just allow users to install Samba?

    --
    Laws are rules for the court, but merely a bottom bar to hit for life. Think beyond laws in your actions always.
  3. Re:Native access to all your files by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2

    Pssst... Firefox is predominantly funded by Google. They'll still know exactly what you got on your computer.

  4. Re: Lets get IE 5 and Active X again. by c6gunner · · Score: 3, Informative

    But giving the browser more access to the file structure and networked files, reminds me of the ...

    Chrome OS is not a browser. The "OS" part of the name kinda gives it away.

  5. Re:Lets get IE 5 and Active X again. by hunter44102 · · Score: 4, Informative

    This is Chrome OS not the browser. Please re read the article

  6. Re:MS CAL licenses? by Jeremy+Allison+-+Sam · · Score: 3, Informative

    Don't wanna pay for Microsoft CALs ? Use Samba4-Active Directory.

    Problem solved :-).

  7. Re:NFS ? by Jeremy+Allison+-+Sam · · Score: 2

    Could be done - you'd need to write a wrapper (probably around Ronnie's libnfs. If you want to do it take a look at the wrapper code created for libsmbclient.

    https://github.com/sahlberg/li...