How to configure Samba as file server?

[licht]

I'm newbie to Samba. So, this may be a too easy question for most of here

This is what I want:

A server "A" will be configured as a file server to be shared by some users:

- a public shared folder to be "read" by anyone;
- different shared group folders to be "read/write" by users only in that group;
- different shared home folders to be "read/write" only by individual users
- when a user logins to his own machine, the above 3 types of folders should be automatically mounted on his local machine for him to access.

How to set up this Samba file server and how to configure client machine? Is it possible to mount different network home folders on the same client machine when different users login?

Thanks!

[sdousley]

Will all the client machines be Linux based or windows based?

[licht]

Will all the client machines be Linux based or windows based?

All client machines are linux.

[mazer]

All client machines are linux.

Why do you want a samba server then?

[licht]

Why do you want a samba server then?

There will be some windows clients later. But it seems it is comparatively easier to configure a windows client. So, I need something that can handle both linux and windows right. It seems to me that samba is such a thing. Or not? Shall I use NIS or something for this (see goals listed in the question)?

Thanks!

[sdousley]

What versions of windows will the windows computers be running? If it's a "Pro" version, then you could still use NFS and install Microsoft SFU (Services for Unix) onto the windows machines, allowing you to map NFS shares and also create NFS shares.

[Manuuz]

I'm newbie to Samba. So, this may be a too easy question for most of here

This is what I want:

- a public shared folder to be "read" by anyone;
- different shared group folders to be "read/write" by users only in that group;
- different shared home folders to be "read/write" only by individual users
- when a user logins to his own machine, the above 3 types of folders should be automatically mounted on his local machine for him to access.

How to set up this Samba file server and how to configure client machine? Is it possible to mount different network home folders on the same client machine when different users login?

Thanks!

put this in your /etc/samba.smb.conf (or /etc/smb.conf)
[public]
path = /path/to/folder
writeable = no
browseable = yes
guest ok = yes

- different shared group folders to be "read/write" by users only in that group;
[groupfolders]
path = /path/to/folder
valid users = @groupname

- different shared home folders to be "read/write" only by individual users
[individualusers]
path = /path/to
valid users = user, user, user
read only = yes
write list = user, user, user

- when a user logins to his own machine, the above 3 types of folders should be automatically mounted on his local machine for him to access.
put a mapping on the users desktop, or execute it automaticcaly when logging in.

Something like that. Try it out!

ps: don't forget to put the right permissions on your folders!

[licht]

What versions of windows will the windows computers be running? If it's a "Pro" version, then you could still use NFS and install Microsoft SFU (Services for Unix) onto the windows machines, allowing you to map NFS shares and also create NFS shares.

It seems to me to better use Samba bcoz of these:

- samba supports both both linux and windoz
- nfs is not safe (remember read articles on this somewhere. is it or not?)
- is SFU free?

[licht]

put this in your /etc/samba.smb.conf (or /etc/smb.conf)

Thanks! This helps a lot!

[sdousley]

It seems to me to better use Samba bcoz of these:

- samba supports both both linux and windoz

So does NFS with SFU.

- nfs is not safe (remember read articles on this somewhere. is it or not?)

Nothing i seem to recall about it not being safe, i use it all the time for unix-unix. Only reason i dont use it on the laptop is cos that's XP home cos that's what came with it.

- is SFU free?

Indeed it is, just google for Services for unix, more often than not the top item