Thus far, you have installed a networked printer located on a Windows client and accessing Windows shared areas.  This evening. We will learn how to complete the installation of the Samba Server and configuring shared resources that can be accessed by Windows clients.

Setting up and Configuring Samba Shared Areas

The student should have a very sound understanding of their Linux workstation.  Through the quarter, you've become acquainted with several System Adminstration techniques.  Your skills are finally to the point where you will be performing this task without precise and detailed instructions.  We tried to conduct this exercise on Monday evening, as true experts and didn't have a great amount of success.  This evening you will be provided better instruction that will guarantee success in setting up a shared area on your Linux box that can be seen in Network Neighborhood on a Windows client.

Let me provide you with a list of necessary tasks.

• Check to see if the Samba programs are installed on your workstation.  The three programs are samba-client, samba-common and samba.
• Query the system with rpm
• rpm -q samba-client
• rpm -q samba-common
• rpm -q samba
• Install all programs not presently on your system using rpm.
• Use the command 'rpm -ivh <programname>'
• If a dependency arises install the indicated program first and retry the install.
• If the previous step doesn't work, ask for assistance from your instructor.
• Now you must setup the system to start the samba server at boot time.
• Start the configuration utility called, ntsysv.
• Scroll down to the samba daemon (smb) and place an asterisk to the left of it.
• Click 'OK'.
• Setup the GUI to edit the samba configuration file.  This requires you to edit two configuration files.
• Open the /etc/services file in your favorite editor.  Add 'swat  901/tcp' to this file.  Consult with your instructor as to where.  This line assigns the swat service to port 901 using TCP protocol.  Save this file.
• Go to the /etc/xinetd.d directory.  Edit the swat file by changing 'Disable = no'.
• For these changes to take effect, we could reboot as Windows must do.  Instead, we will simply signal the xinetd daemon to reread the configuration files by restarting it.  Restart it by executing the following line at the shell prompt.   /etc/rc.d/init.d/xinetd restart
• Now your are ready to start the Samba service.  This is done by executing the smb script located in the /etc/rc.d/init.d.  Three possible versions of the script can be executed.  Change your present working directory to /etc/rc.d/init.d.
• ./smb status      This checks the status of the samba server.
• ./smb start         This starts the samba server.
• ./smb stop          This stops the samba server.
• ./smb restart       This restarts the samba server.
• Now you can go to a Windows machine and find your Linux machine in Network Neighborhood.  Not so fast!  You're almost there but you'll need to edit the smb.conf file a bit more.  We could edit the smb.conf file in our favorite editor but let's use the swat service.
• Start a Web browser.
• Enter the following URL:  http://<yourmachinehostname:901>/
• You will be asked to provide a username and password.  Logon as root.  Click OK.  Please realize that you could conduct Samba administration remotely with the Swat service.
• Notice the numerous buttons at the top of the page.  Don't get overwhelmed because they are quite easy.
• HOME                     This takes you to the Home page of the Samba service.  You can obtain help from this page by clicking on the provided links.
• GLOBALS               This button takes the user to a page where the global section of the smb.conf file can be edited.
• SHARES                  This button takes the user to a page where the shares section of the smb.conf file can be defined and edited.
• PRINTERS               This button takes the user to a page where shared printers are defined and edited.
• STATUS                   This button takes the user to a page where the smbd and nmbd daemons can be started, stopped and/or restarted.
• VIEW                       This button takes the user to a page where the smb.conf file can be viewed.
• PASSWORD           This button takes the user to a page where the usernames and passwords that can access the swat service are defined and changed.
• Here ar a couple of sample smb.conf files.  Choose one and enter it using the swat service.
• Sample 1

Global parameters
[global]

workgroup = Linux_class
netbios name = <name that will be seen in Network Neighborhood>
server string = Samba Server or something of your own choosing
             interfaces = <your machine IP>/24 127.0.0.1/24
security = SHARE
log file = /var/log/samba/log.%m
max log size = 50
os level = 65
preferred master = No
dns proxy = No


[Share]

comment = <Brief descriptor of your shared area>
path = /home/samba
read only = No
browseable = No


• Sample 2

Global parameters
[global]

workgroup = Linux_class
netbios name = <name that will be seen in Network Neighborhood>
server string = <Samba Server or something of your own choosing>
bind interfaces only = Yes
security = SHARE
map to guest = Bad User
log file = /var/log/samba/log.%m
max log size = 50
os level = 65
kernel oplocks = No
[Share]
comment = <Brief descriptor of your shared area>
path = /home/samba
read only = No
guest ok = Yes


• This is a minimal smb.conf file that will setup one share for you system.   See if you can find and access this shared area from a Windows machine.
• Let's conduct some tests that will identify any problems that exist with our configuration and/or infrastructure.
• Find a very important text document for samba testing.  This file is called, 'DIAGNOSIS.txt'.
• Follow the tesing procedures laid out in this file.  There are a total of ten tests identified.  I've never had to conduct more than two or three.   Let's hope that holds for us.
• Debugging a Samba Server is very realistic but can be frustrating.  Work with your instructor to develop solutions to problems encountered.
• Finally we have a shared area on our Linux machine that can be seen in Network Neighborhood.
• Try saving a file in this shared area.  What ?  You say it won't permit it.  Check the permissions on the directory /home/samba.  To permit the world write access, you'll have to change the permissions on this directory.  Do you remember how?  Ask your instructor for assistance if necessary.
• Once you've accomplished this try setting up another.  My suggestion is your CDROM or a zip drive.  Most of all be creative.
• Feel like a real pro now.  Why don't you download a small Windows application and install it in your Linux shared area.