The Shared Folders functionality in Windows Server 2008 allows you to centrally manage file shares on a computer. The Server Message Block (SMB) protocol is what Windows uses to share files, printers, serial ports, and communicate this information between computers by using named pipes and mail slots. In a networked environment, servers make file systems and resources available to clients. Clients make SMB requests for resources and servers make SMB responses. This protocol generates information that helps users troubleshoot Shared Folders problems.