# Netatalk

> free, open-source implementation of the Apple Filing Protocol

**Wikidata**: [Q1235942](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1235942)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Netatalk)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/netatalk

## Summary
Netatalk is a free, open-source implementation of the Apple Filing Protocol (AFP), designed to allow Unix-like operating systems to share files over a computer network. It enables seamless remote access to files on macOS and other AFP-compatible systems, making it a critical tool for network file sharing in Unix environments.

## Key Facts
- **Implementation of**: Apple Filing Protocol (AFP)
- **License**: GNU General Public License, version 2.0
- **Operating System**: Unix-like operating systems
- **Latest Stable Version**: 4.1.0 (released 2025-01-11)
- **Website**: [https://netatalk.io](https://netatalk.io)
- **Source Code**: Available on GitHub ([https://github.com/Netatalk/netatalk](https://github.com/Netatalk/netatalk))
- **Publication Date**: First released in 1990
- **Categories**: Free software, network file system, application, remote access
- **Package Names**: netatalk (Debian, Arch Linux, FreeBSD, etc.)

## FAQs
### Q: What is Netatalk used for?
A: Netatalk is used to enable file sharing between Unix-like systems and macOS or other AFP-compatible devices over a network. It allows users to access and manage files remotely as if they were local.

### Q: Is Netatalk free to use?
A: Yes, Netatalk is free software distributed under the GNU General Public License, version 2.0, allowing users to freely run, study, modify, and distribute it.

### Q: Which operating systems can run Netatalk?
A: Netatalk is designed to run on Unix-like operating systems, including Linux, BSD variants, and other Unix derivatives.

### Q: How do I install Netatalk?
A: Netatalk can be installed via package managers on supported systems, such as `apt install netatalk` on Debian or `brew install netatalk` on macOS via Homebrew.

### Q: What is the latest version of Netatalk?
A: The latest stable version is 4.1.0, released on 2025-01-11.

## Why It Matters
Netatalk plays a crucial role in enabling file sharing between Unix-like systems and macOS, particularly in environments where legacy AFP support is required. As macOS continues to rely on AFP for Time Machine backups and file sharing, Netatalk provides a reliable open-source alternative to proprietary solutions. Its compatibility with Unix-like operating systems makes it a valuable tool for system administrators and developers who need to maintain or extend AFP functionality in mixed network environments. By offering a free and open-source implementation, Netatalk ensures that users have access to a robust and customizable file-sharing solution without licensing restrictions.

## Notable For
- **Open-Source AFP Implementation**: One of the few open-source solutions for AFP, filling a gap left by proprietary alternatives.
- **Cross-Platform Compatibility**: Works seamlessly across Unix-like systems and macOS, supporting both client and server roles.
- **Active Development**: Regular updates and maintenance ensure compatibility with modern macOS versions and network protocols.
- **Community-Driven**: Hosted on platforms like GitHub and SourceForge, fostering collaboration and contributions from developers worldwide.
- **Time Machine Support**: Enables Unix-like systems to act as Time Machine backup destinations for macOS devices.

## Body
### Overview
Netatalk is a free and open-source implementation of the Apple Filing Protocol (AFP), designed to facilitate file sharing between Unix-like systems and macOS. It was first released in 1990 and has since evolved to support modern network environments, including Time Machine backups and general file sharing.

### Technical Details
- **Protocol**: Implements AFP, the native file-sharing protocol used by macOS.
- **License**: Distributed under the GNU General Public License, version 2.0, ensuring freedom for users and developers.
- **Installation**: Available as packages for various Unix-like systems, including Debian, Arch Linux, FreeBSD, and macOS via Homebrew.
- **Versions**: The latest stable version is 4.1.0, released on 2025-01-11, with ongoing development for future releases.

### Usage
- **File Sharing**: Allows Unix-like systems to share files with macOS devices and other AFP-compatible systems.
- **Time Machine Support**: Enables Unix-like systems to serve as backup destinations for macOS Time Machine backups.
- **Network File System**: Acts as a network file system, enabling remote access to files as if they were local.

### Community and Development
- **Source Code**: Hosted on GitHub ([https://github.com/Netatalk/netatalk](https://github.com/Netatalk/netatalk)) and GitLab, with active development and community contributions.
- **Documentation**: Comprehensive user manuals are available in English and Japanese, supporting users worldwide.
- **Support**: Maintained by a community of developers and users, ensuring continuous improvement and bug fixes.

### Related Projects
- **Alternatives**: While Netatalk is the primary open-source AFP implementation, other projects like `afpfs-ng` and `netatalk` variants may offer similar functionality.
- **Integration**: Often used alongside other network services, such as Samba, to provide comprehensive file-sharing solutions.

```json
{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "SoftwareApplication",
  "name": "Netatalk",
  "description": "Free, open-source implementation of the Apple Filing Protocol for Unix-like systems",
  "url": "https://netatalk.io",
  "sameAs": ["https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Netatalk", "https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q15241312"],
  "applicationCategory": ["Network File System", "Remote Access"],
  "operatingSystem": "Unix-like",
  "license": "GNU General Public License, version 2.0",
  "datePublished": "1990",
  "softwareVersion": "4.1.0",
  "codeRepository": "https://github.com/Netatalk/netatalk"
}

## References

1. [Source](https://netatalk.io/)
2. [Source](https://netatalk.io/stable/htmldocs/gpl)
3. [The netatalk Open Source Project on Open Hub: Languages Page. Open Hub](https://www.openhub.net/p/netatalk/analyses/latest/languages_summary)
4. [Source](https://netatalk.sourceforge.io/)
5. [2023](https://github.com/Netatalk/Netatalk)
6. [Netatalk 3.1.14 is available!. 2023](https://netatalk.sourceforge.io/)
7. [2023](https://github.com/Netatalk/netatalk/releases/tag/netatalk-3-1-15)
8. [Netatalk 3.1.15 is available!. 2023](https://netatalk.sourceforge.io/)
9. [Source](https://github.com/Netatalk/netatalk/releases/tag/netatalk-4-0-8)
10. [2025](https://github.com/Netatalk/netatalk/releases/tag/netatalk-4-1-0)
11. [Source](https://netatalk.io)
12. [Release 2.2.7. 2023](https://github.com/Netatalk/netatalk/releases/tag/netatalk-2-2-7)
13. [Release 2.2.8. 2023](https://github.com/Netatalk/netatalk/releases/tag/netatalk-2-2-8)
14. [Release 2.2.9. 2023](https://github.com/Netatalk/netatalk/releases/tag/netatalk-2-2-9)
15. [Release 2.2.10. 2023](https://github.com/Netatalk/netatalk/releases/tag/netatalk-2-2-10)
16. [Release 2.3.0. 2023](https://github.com/Netatalk/netatalk/releases/tag/netatalk-2-3-0)
17. [Release 2.3.1. 2024](https://github.com/Netatalk/netatalk/releases/tag/netatalk-2-3-1)
18. [Release 2.3.2. 2024](https://github.com/Netatalk/netatalk/releases/tag/netatalk-2-3-2)
19. [Release 2.4.0. 2024](https://github.com/Netatalk/netatalk/releases/tag/netatalk-2-4-0)
20. [Release 2.4.1. 2024](https://github.com/Netatalk/netatalk/releases/tag/netatalk-2-4-1)
21. [Release 2.4.2. 2024](https://github.com/Netatalk/netatalk/releases/tag/netatalk-2-4-2)
22. [Release 2.4.3. 2024](https://github.com/Netatalk/netatalk/releases/tag/netatalk-2-4-3)
23. [Release 2.4.4. 2024](https://github.com/Netatalk/netatalk/releases/tag/netatalk-2-4-4)
24. [Release 2.4.5. 2024](https://github.com/Netatalk/netatalk/releases/tag/netatalk-2-4-5)
25. [Release 2.4.6. 2024](https://github.com/Netatalk/netatalk/releases/tag/netatalk-2-4-6)
26. [Release 2.4.7. 2024](https://github.com/Netatalk/netatalk/releases/tag/netatalk-2-4-7)
27. [Release 2.4.8. 2024](https://github.com/Netatalk/netatalk/releases/tag/netatalk-2-4-8)
28. [Release 2.4.9. 2024](https://github.com/Netatalk/netatalk/releases/tag/netatalk-2-4-9)
29. [Release 2.4.10. 2024](https://github.com/Netatalk/netatalk/releases/tag/netatalk-2-4-10)
30. [Release 3.1.16. 2023](https://github.com/Netatalk/netatalk/releases/tag/netatalk-3-1-16)
31. [Release 3.1.17. 2023](https://github.com/Netatalk/netatalk/releases/tag/netatalk-3-1-17)
32. [Release 3.1.18. 2023](https://github.com/Netatalk/netatalk/releases/tag/netatalk-3-1-18)
33. [Release 3.1.19. 2024](https://github.com/Netatalk/netatalk/releases/tag/netatalk-3-1-19)
34. [Release 3.2.0. 2024](https://github.com/Netatalk/netatalk/releases/tag/netatalk-3-2-0)
35. [Release 3.2.1. 2024](https://github.com/Netatalk/netatalk/releases/tag/netatalk-3-2-1)
36. [Release 3.2.2. 2024](https://github.com/Netatalk/netatalk/releases/tag/netatalk-3-2-2)
37. [Release 3.2.3. 2024](https://github.com/Netatalk/netatalk/releases/tag/netatalk-3-2-3)
38. [Release 3.2.4. 2024](https://github.com/Netatalk/netatalk/releases/tag/netatalk-3-2-4)
39. [Release 3.2.5. 2024](https://github.com/Netatalk/netatalk/releases/tag/netatalk-3-2-5)
40. [Release 3.2.6. 2024](https://github.com/Netatalk/netatalk/releases/tag/netatalk-3-2-6)
41. [Release 3.2.7. 2024](https://github.com/Netatalk/netatalk/releases/tag/netatalk-3-2-7)
42. [Release 3.2.8. 2024](https://github.com/Netatalk/netatalk/releases/tag/netatalk-3-2-8)
43. [Release 3.2.9. 2024](https://github.com/Netatalk/netatalk/releases/tag/netatalk-3-2-9)
44. [Release 3.2.10. 2024](https://github.com/Netatalk/netatalk/releases/tag/netatalk-3-2-10)
45. [Release 4.0.0. 2024](https://github.com/Netatalk/netatalk/releases/tag/netatalk-4-0-0)
46. [Release 4.0.1. 2024](https://github.com/Netatalk/netatalk/releases/tag/netatalk-4-0-1)
47. [Release 4.0.2. 2024](https://github.com/Netatalk/netatalk/releases/tag/netatalk-4-0-2)
48. [Release 4.0.3. 2024](https://github.com/Netatalk/netatalk/releases/tag/netatalk-4-0-3)
49. [Release 4.0.4. 2024](https://github.com/Netatalk/netatalk/releases/tag/netatalk-4-0-4)
50. [Release 4.0.5. 2024](https://github.com/Netatalk/netatalk/releases/tag/netatalk-4-0-5)