Cannot display/open shared files on network

[rastaman147]

Through "Network Servers", I can browse to my shared folders on the network, open the folder and see the files, but I cannot open/display the files.

I have 2 linux boxes on my local home network running SUSE 10.1. I am Using Samba to share the files. I have firewall set to "internal (unprotected)"

I am only interested in the 2 linux machines being able to access each other's files at this point ( I do *not* need to access any files on a windows box, at least not for now). I started out trying to use NFS to share the files, but from what I can find, it seems that Samba is required to share files, even if it is for a linux-only network.

What am I missing here?

[Number33]

First:
Samba is not required to share files in a Linux/Unix only environment. That is what nfs is for.

Second:
You can see the folders/files. How are you trying to open them? With what? What error are you getting. The most important thing that you can provide is details, the more details the better.

[oldcpu]

I am only interested in the 2 linux machines being able to access each other's files at this point ( I do *not* need to access any files on a windows box, at least not for now). I started out trying to use NFS to share the files, but from what I can find, it seems that Samba is required to share files, even if it is for a linux-only network.

You don't need samba. NFS is the recommended solution by many, but there are aspects to it I don't like (edit - having typed that, even though I don't use it, it probably still is the best method).

Why don't you use ssh?

Ensure openssh is installed on both your Linux PCs. Then open your firewall on both PCs for ssh.

Then, if using kde, open your konqueror browser on one linux pc, and in the location bar type:
fish://your-user-name@ip-address-of-other-linux-pc..

... for example: fish://oldcpu@192.168.123.20 or something like that.
You can use this to transfer files.

To use the power of xwindows, open a konsole and type:
ssh -X your-user-name@ip-address-of-other-linux-pc
... this will open a terminal on linux pc #1, from pc#2. You can then run programs on pc #2, and the graphics will be piped to be displayed on pc#1. Incredibly powerful.

[rastaman147]

Hi -

Thank you for your responses.

I am using Gnome Desktop. The files are text files. I am trying to open them by double-clicking them - When I access the files locally, this opens them in gEdit. When I try to access them through the network shared folder, I get the message: "Could not display "smb://COMPUTERNAME/FILENAME" or something very close to that. If the exact syntax of the message is neccessary to solve this problem, I will post it back here tomorrow, but the problem is that I see the files, I can open them locally, but not over the network.


I think I need your advice as to which way I should proceed with this problem:

I am brand-new to Linux, and the primary reason for doing this in the first place is to learn how to properly set up a Linux home network. - All I really want to do is sit down at Box A (Linux) and work with files on Box B (Linux.)

That being said, since I am so close to getting this to working with Samba, I would like to finish it, since I do have windows boxes on my network, and eventually I would like to include those boxes as well (but for right now, Windows not a priority.)

The only way I have been able to get as far as I have is by taking bits and pieces from mostly irrelevant posts and incorporating them - That's why I scrapped NFS and ended up trying to do this with Samba.

** Is there somewhere, a simple, step-by-step guide to sharing files (Linux only) with either NFS or with Samba, or could you PLEASE at least point me in the right direction?

I have been googling NFS, networking, etc., and searching forums for a week now, and I cannot find anything at all like a simple step-by-step guide to sharing files on a Linux-only home network. Everything I pull up has to do with not being able to connect to the internet, setting up routers, or being able to network Linux and Windows boxes together.

Any further help would be greatly appreciated.

[oldcpu]

I am brand-new to Linux, and the primary reason for doing this in the first place is to learn how to properly set up a Linux home network. - All I really want to do is sit down at Box A (Linux) and work with files on Box B (Linux.)

That being said, since I am so close to getting this to working with Samba, I would like to finish it, since I do have windows boxes on my network, and eventually I would like to include those boxes as well (but for right now, Windows not a priority.)

I don't know anything about Samba, so I can't help there. And I understand your desire to learn how Samba works, so you can eventually get Windows boxes working with your Linux boxes.

But your statement "All I really want to do is sit down at Box A (Linux) and work with files on Box B (Linux.)" is not true then. ..... The best way to connect Linux boxes is not Samba. Yes, from what I have read it can be MADE to work, but this is the hard way to do it. The easiest way is ssh and then probably nfs. Samba is the most difficult way.

I only type this, so you are not under any illusions that you are taking the easy approach. You are not. Samba is the hard way.

Good luck with your Samba efforts.

[oldcpu]

I am using Gnome Desktop.

I understand you are using Samba. But getting back to my ssh recommendation, for the record, GNOME's file manager Nautilus also handles SSH out of the box. I have read you just type the URL ssh://user@ip-address etc in the address field.

References:
http://blog.chris.tylers.info/index....s-and-SSH.html
http://tips.linux.com/comments.pl?cid=86362&sid=36016