I am sure it is my shortcomings, but I found NFSv4, especially 4.1 too complicated, particularly when it comes to Kerberos authentication.

I *preferred* SMB/CIFS authentication, AD was a lot simpler for me with Samba-AD, I have an internal AD that is used exclusively for SSO, but I don't use fileshares because like I said, I have no use case for them.

When I suggested XigmaNAS, it was because it is honestly a good system, even if it is not Linux (It is FreeBSD). Xigma is the original FreeNAS/TrueNAS before someone bought the name and went commercial.

There is a point when the DIY solution can get too complicated and you need the GUI with the "many clicks" to simplify things.

These days for anything that needs to be shared, I use some sort of "cloud", right now, I am using OpenCloud and Paperless. And for media, Jellyfin and just plain old http.

-nick


On Fri, Jan 23, 2026 at 1:20 PM William Park via Talk <talk@lists.gtalug.org> wrote:
I found it.
        "SSHFS for Windows"
        - https://github.com/winfsp/sshfs-win
        - https://github.com/evsar3/sshfs-win-manager

Long story:

1. I tried OpenMediaVault and Rockstor.  They are (mini) Linux distros
based on Debian and OpenSUSE, respectively.  They are more for fresh
disks, because they keep insisting me to format and mount the disks.
But, I already have data on my disks and already mounted.  All I need is
GUI frontend to SMB/NFS.  NFS was easy.  But, just can't get SMB working
for Windows10 laptop.  The laptop sees the remote host in the "Network"
portion of File Explorer, but can't get inside.

2. I was expecting more like "router" webpage.  But, no.  They require
way too many clicks, and you have to "Apply" every change.

3. I knew about SSHFS on Linux, but didn't know you can do it on
Windows.  You can connect from
        - File Explorer (\\sshfs\user@server\path),
        - command line (net use ...),
        - "SSHFS-Win manager" -- very much Windows way.


On 2026-01-23 12:33, Giles Orr via Talk wrote:
> A lot of people use bundled NAS software, which usually has checkboxes
> to decide what underlying FS, or what network protocol.  I've found
> installing and managing them worse and more complex than doing a
> regular Linux install and firing up Samba.  As always, YMMV.
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