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Chapter 9. Samba

9.1. Introduction to Samba
9.1.1. Samba Features
9.2. Samba Daemons and Related Services
9.2.1. Samba Daemons
9.3. Connecting to a Samba Share
9.3.1. Command Line
9.3.2. Mounting the Share
9.4. Configuring a Samba Server
9.4.1. Graphical Configuration
9.4.2. Command Line Configuration
9.4.3. Encrypted Passwords
9.5. Starting and Stopping Samba
9.6. Samba Server Types and the smb.conf File
9.6.1. Stand-alone Server
9.6.2. Domain Member Server
9.6.3. Domain Controller
9.7. Samba Security Modes
9.7.1. User-Level Security
9.7.2. Share-Level Security
9.8. Samba Account Information Databases
9.9. Samba Network Browsing
9.9.1. Domain Browsing
9.9.2. WINS (Windows Internetworking Name Server)
9.10. Samba with CUPS Printing Support
9.10.1. Simple smb.conf Settings
9.11. Samba Distribution Programs
9.12. Additional Resources
9.12.1. Installed Documentation
9.12.2. Related Books
9.12.3. Useful Websites
Samba is an open source implementation of the Server Message Block (SMB) protocol. It allows the networking of Microsoft Windows®, Linux, UNIX, and other operating systems together, enabling access to Windows-based file and printer shares. Samba's use of SMB allows it to appear as a Windows server to Windows clients.

9.1. Introduction to Samba

The third major release of Samba, version 3.0.0, introduced numerous improvements from prior versions, including:
  • The ability to join an Active Directory domain by means of LDAP and Kerberos
  • Built in Unicode support for internationalization
  • Support for Microsoft Windows XP Professional client connections to Samba servers without needing local registry hacking
  • Two new documents developed by the Samba.org team, which include a 400+ page reference manual, and a 300+ page implementation and integration manual. For more information about these published titles, refer to Section 9.12.2, “Related Books”.

9.1.1. Samba Features

Samba is a powerful and versatile server application. Even seasoned system administrators must know its abilities and limitations before attempting installation and configuration.
What Samba can do:
  • Serve directory trees and printers to Linux, UNIX, and Windows clients
  • Assist in network browsing (with or without NetBIOS)
  • Authenticate Windows domain logins
  • Provide Windows Internet Name Service (WINS) name server resolution
  • Act as a Windows NT®-style Primary Domain Controller (PDC)
  • Act as a Backup Domain Controller (BDC) for a Samba-based PDC
  • Act as an Active Directory domain member server
  • Join a Windows NT/2000/2003 PDC
What Samba cannot do:
  • Act as a BDC for a Windows PDC (and vice versa)
  • Act as an Active Directory domain controller