Samba - Setting up and Using

(Updated October 2002 for Samba 2.2.6)

SAMBA is a replacement for VisionFS to handle File and Print Sharing in a mixed Unix / Windows Enviroment.

Why can't I use VisionFS?

No reason at all as long as you buy a licence :-)

VisionFS cannot handle XP and Windows 2000 clients - if you are using 2000/XP you should use samba.

VisionFS used to be free - what changed?

SCO sold OpenServer and OpenUnix to Caldera and they kept all the Vision and Tarantella products. Part of the deal was Caldera would not give vision away - they don't.

As of July 2001 no Vision CD's have been shipped with the O.S.

If your O.S. was purchased prior to that you can legally use Vision but the next O.S. upgrade will not and you will loose the licence.

Where can I find it?

http://www.caldera.com/skunkware
Skunkware CD in Media Kit
Located on the new Util CD (tar archive of VOL files) (Loaded automatically into /usr/local/images/samba)

Install (a) and (b) via custom - (c) is a tarball - use

cd /usr/local/images/samba
zcat samba-2.2.6.gz | tar xvf -

How do I start it?

If you use the 'tarball' from the utility CD run mkdev samba

Other versions use:

Enable samba with	/etc/init.d/samba enable
	/etc/init.d/samba start

Where does it live?


  /usr/local/samba

How do I administer it?

Point a browser at http://servername:901/ to access SWAT the Graphical Interface - Use 'root' and root's password. The new utility CD enables PPP so, use Windows DUN with a user name of pvppp and a password of pvppp to get straight onto the machine.

Every OSR 5 box has a graphical browser if you are stuck.

This also gives you access to all the man pages, the book 'Using Samba' and links to a pile of FAQ's and How Do I's.

Note: The Samba 2.2.2 install has a bug - you need to make a change to /etc/inetd.conf, locate the line:

swat stream tcp nowait root /usr/local/samba/bin/swat swat

Change it so it reads: (bin -> sbin)
swat stream tcp nowait root /usr/local/samba/sbin/swat swat

Then re-start inetd with a kill -1 `cat /etc/inetd.pid`

Which Workgroup does it appear in:

By Default MYGROUP to change it:

Start SWAT
Click 'Globals'
Change as required - Specifically 'WorkGroup' should match existing PC Workgroup

Edit /usr/local/samba/lib/smb.conf
Change the line WORKGROUP

How Do I change a user password?

Start SWAT
Click 'Password'
Enter User Name and Password - Click Add New User

Run /usr/local/samba/bin/smbpasswd -a username

I want tighten up security

The default settings are relaxed. If you want to force people to login correctly REMOVE the following lines from smb.conf

   # Watch these ones - will relax security quite a bit !
   map to guest = Bad User
   null passwords = yes

How Do I Add a share for Premvet?

This will normally have been done for you, however you can use the Premvet share as an example for other shares you may want.

Start SWAT
Click 'Shares'
In box Enter Premvet -> Click Create
Set as required:

Comment: Vet System
Path: /u/vetdata
Read-Only: No
Click 'Commit Changes'

Comment:	Vet System
Path:	/u/vetdata
Read-Only:	No

Where do they put shared stuff?

A 'Public' Share is there by default pointing to /w/common easiest way is just remove the 'Public' Share and add a new one pointing to /w, /v or where ever.

Where are the log files?

   /usr/local/samba/var

I don't want to use SWAT !!

Ok be a Geek and edit the config file by hand (it is a lot easier).


        /usr/local/samba/lib/smb.conf

Refer to all the on-line information (or a multitiude of samba sites for the syntax) for example, to add a Premvet Share add this:

         [Premvet]
            comment = Vet System
            path = /u/vetdata
            read only = no

What about printers?

Printers should all appear automatically as per visionfs, use SWAT to add/tweek as required.

Can I print to a Windows printer?

Yes - Use the pvsamba interface file and edit for PC and printer name.

If the PC is running Windows XP you are a LOT better off using the LPD service that it comes with - lot more reliable and easier to use.

I am having promlems what can I do?

Use Trouble shooting Samba

Look at Chapter 9 in the main samba documentation.

Support Guide