Sharing files between Macs and NAS drives and Windows PC’s has always been very easy, but Mavericks brought a slight change that has caused some problems for certain users in mixed PC and Mac environments.
Apple adjusted the default protocol for SMB (Samba, the Windows file sharing ability) from SMB1 to SMB2, and the SMB2 implementation apparently carries a bug which is incompatible with many NAS (Network Attached Storage) devices, and some versions of Windows.
If you don’t have any problems, all good, but if you do have problems connecting to Windows PC’s, NAS drives, and Linux machines, try this work around:
From the OS X Finder, hit Command+K to summon “Go To Server” as usual
In the “Server Address” field, enter the IP to connect to with the cifs:// prefix (instead of smb://) as follows:
The reason this works, is because CIFS connects with SMB1 rather than SMB2, the old way.
Mavericks has also moved all network-based Mac-to-Mac file sharing to SMB2, away from AFP. Although AFP still functions for legacy support and for connecting between Mavericks and earlier versions of OS X.
Hopefully that this bug will be resolved with future updates of OS X 10.9
I am a long term Mac user. I finally found someone who walks the walk with Macs. Steve is very knowledgeable in all areas required. He visited multiple sites of ours and fixed a large variety of long term problems over a number of users. Well done...
Trenton Clark Silica Australia
Would not have happened without you!
Thank you for being there Steve, would not have happened without you! Good to know we have your support there in Australia.
Debra Stewardson | Executive Assistant to CEO DIG Network
...you guys are wonderful :-)
The computer is working amazingly!!! Thank you so much, you guys are wonderful :-)
Sally-Ann Deane Bruin Builders
Kind, patient and tolerant
We just wanted to take this opportunity to thank you for all the assistance
and support you provided to get us back up and operating!
Not only was Lachlan prompt and professional in his dealings with us, he was
also so kind, pat...
Nov 2 2013
Mavericks and SMB (Connecting to Windows shares)
Sharing files between Macs and NAS drives and Windows PC’s has always been very easy, but Mavericks brought a slight change that has caused some problems for certain users in mixed PC and Mac environments.
Apple adjusted the default protocol for SMB (Samba, the Windows file sharing ability) from SMB1 to SMB2, and the SMB2 implementation apparently carries a bug which is incompatible with many NAS (Network Attached Storage) devices, and some versions of Windows.
If you don’t have any problems, all good, but if you do have problems connecting to Windows PC’s, NAS drives, and Linux machines, try this work around:
The reason this works, is because CIFS connects with SMB1 rather than SMB2, the old way.
Mavericks has also moved all network-based Mac-to-Mac file sharing to SMB2, away from AFP. Although AFP still functions for legacy support and for connecting between Mavericks and earlier versions of OS X.
Hopefully that this bug will be resolved with future updates of OS X 10.9
By Steve Ryan • Mavericks •