Windows Users Unable to Save Office Files to SMB Volume on 2021.3

Overview

Your Windows users who use Office Apps cannot save files to the SMB Volumes on the server directly. Saving the affected files to a local folder produces a working file as expected, but attempting to save to the SMB Volume produces a "Can Not Save" error and generates a 0KB file.

You have verified that the file system permissions are valid for their user (777), and have removed backend temp files (.HSAncillary, HSxmap) but the issue persists. Saving directly to this Volume via certain apps (such as Notepad) works without issue. Mac users have no trouble saving the same file to the SMB volume.

Solution

This trouble was first identified within Xinet 2021.3 and is isolated to the K-AShare Kats utility(See # man kats for more information on this utility). Changes to this utility within Xinet 2021.5 have addressed this trouble. It is suggested that you upgrade to 2021.5 or later to correct this behavior.

As a temporary workaround, if you are unable to upgrade immediately, you can collect the Kats file (/usr/etc/appletalk/kats) from a 2021.5 installation, and replace this on your Xinet 2021.3 server.

1. 1. Stop AppleShare Process
      1. From the WebNative Admin, Navigate to Under AFP/Access > AppleShare Service > Restart
      2. Click Shut Down AppleShare.
   2. Navigate to /usr/etc/appletalk/kats
   3. Copy and Replace the kats file from a 2021.5 installation.
   4. Restart AppleShare Process 
      1.  From the WebNative Admin, Navigate to Under AFP/Access > AppleShare Service > Restart
      2. Click Start AppleShare.

Testing

After restarting the Xinet Server, verify that your Windows users can once again save Office files directly to the SMB Volumes.