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Windows File/Print

Configuration

Samba is fairly simple: Set up its configuration and then have its services nmb and smb running at bootup.

The problem is the configuration file, smb.conf in the folder /etc/samba. It is very complex with more than enough of its share of directives, more than even Apache. Fortunately I have worked out a configuration file that works on the Janovac and can make its folders visible from the Windows boxes on my network. Here is the Janovac smb.conf, striped of all commented-out commands and most comments. In this page φ is the account's user name and ψ is the password.

[global]
    workgroup = DYSMEY
    server string = Janovac Windows Server
    netbios name = JANOVAC

    log file = /var/log/samba/log.%m
    max log size = 50

    security = user
    passdb backend = tdbsam


;   load printers = yes
    cups options = raw

[printers]
    comment = All Printers
    path = /var/spool/samba
    browseable = no
    printable = yes

[web]
    comment = Janovac Web Service
    path = /var/www/html
    writeable = yes
    browseable = yes
    valid users = φ

[common]
    comment = Common Store
    path = /var/common
    writeable = yes
    browseable = yes
    valid users = φ

Make sure that (1) the /var/common folder actually exists; that (2) its user and group is set to φ; that (3) you can read and write to the folder; and (4) your account name and password should be added to the Samba password database.

1. mkdir /var/common
2. chown -R φ:φ /var/common
3. chmod -R ug+rwx /var/common
4. smbpasswd -a -U φ%ψ

Also make sure there is a workgroup DYSMEY (or whatever name you use for your workgroup) shared with both the Janovac and the Windows boxes.

Post-Configuration

Next you will need to launch the graphical Samba utility by going to System → Administrator → Samba. In the menu bar, under Preferences, choose Samba Users…. Add φ to the list, creating a Samba user with same φ account username and password.

Then launch Firewall (System → Administrator → Firewall) with the root password. Open the Samba ports (137/udp, 138/udp, 139/tcp, and 445/tcp) and press Apply.

Then launch Services (System → Administrator → Services) with the root password, and enable the nmb and smb services.

Finally, launch Terminal, log in as su, and manual start the nmb and smb services with the service utility.