SAMBA
A Linux Based SMB File Server

LinuxSA Meeting
Matthew Tippett

Overview

• Allows a Linux system to act a file and print server for SMB clients
• Server runs on most Unix variants
• Supports clients such as
  • LanManager for DOS
  • Windows for Workgroups, Windows95, WindowsNT
  • OS/2, Digital Pathworks
• Unix SMB client and NetBIOS nameserver

History

• Started Dec 1991 by Andrew Tridgell
  • Mount Sun drives on a PC running Pathworks
  • Version 1.0 released Jan 1992
• Andrew Converted To Linux in November 1992
• December 1993 `NetBIOS For Unix' project started

Linux & SAMBA

• Linux and Sun's form the base of development of SAMBA
• smbfs under construction
  • Allows SMB shares to be `mounted' under Linux
  • Part of the User Process File System
• Point of Leverage into Commercial server market

Features

• SMB file and print serving
• Unix client
• Username/password security
• Home directory/printer exporting
• Guest connections
• Name mangling (long to 8.3)
• Free, covered by the GPL
• LAN Manager compatible password encryption

Components

• smbd
  • File and Print services daemon
  • testparm - test smbd.conf file
  • smbrun - Runs unix programs for smbd
• nmbd
  • NetBIOS nameserver and browser controller
• smbclient
  • Ftp-like program for accessing a different SMB servers shares
• smbstatus
  • Tells who is logged on to a server

Getting Started with SAMBA

• Compilation
• Installation
• Configuration
  • smbd.conf
• Testing

SAMBA as a Server

• Speed
  • One contributer qoutes around 400 kb/s
• Compatibility
  • Allows hiding of non 8.3 names or mangling
  • Exists and can be browsed by multiple platforms
• Security
  • Allows `Secure' connections with username/password

SAMBA as a Client

• FTP like interface to a SMB file server
  • Transfer Files
• Print to a SMB print server
  • Print direct with smbprint program
  • Print with normal Unix print utilities (lpr, lp, etc)
  • Add an appropriate /etc/printcap file

Real Life Applications

• Allows Linux to act as a multiprotocol file server
  • NFS
  • SMB
• Particular Applications
  • Mail Server
  • Domain Controller
• Competes well against Commercial SMB servers

More Information

• Web Page
  • http://lake.canberra.edu.au/pub/samba
• FTP
  • ftp://nimbus.anu.edu.au/pub/tridge/samba
• Mailing List
  • listproc@listproc.anu.edu.au
    (BODY of 'subscribe samba <Your Name>')
• USENET News
  • news:comp.protocols.smb

Last updated: Wednesday, 18-Jun-1997 18:11:04 CST