Alternative to Windows Sharing (with UNC path support)?

[osRe]

Can anyone suggest a low-level alternative to Windows Sharing? Something that works just the same, UNC paths and all, but does correctly access management, login, and logout.

I'm fed up with the Windows default. It's always trouble and always cryptic. Alas, I cannot find any alternative and I suspect nothing of the sort exists.

[allen2]

If it is for file sharing, there is least ftp but you'll need a tool to properly integrate it in the shell. Old IE (IE 6) and OS (2K,XP at least) could do this using iis ftp and typing ftp://login:password@remoteserver/reltive_ftp_path in an explorer windows would allow to browser the remote as unc path would.

[osRe]

Fully integrated FTP might do, but just using FTP URLs, even where it works, is far from integrated. I'm after something that works, in terms of general interface, just like Microsoft Networking. Having \\server\path usable from any program for read or write.

Maybe something based around NFS exists? FreeNFS looks like it might be in that direction, but it's too minimal.

Edited September 20, 2013 by shae