Help for a Samba newbie...

[tehnewb]

Hi,

I've been tasked with creating a Samba file and print server and I could use some help.

What I need to do is introduce this into a windows workrgoup consisting of Win98/2K/XP machines without a centralized authentication server of any kind.

The Samba server needs to serve 1 directory with read write access to everyone. It also needs to serve 1-3 HP Laserjets (with internal jetdirect NIC's) to the group as well.

Here are some of the limitations my manager has imposed on the project:

I can't use Samba as an authentication server.
Everyone has to have read/write access.
Everyone needs to print.
I have to use Suse 9.3

The one other caveat is that the access to the server needs to work with users created "on the fly". In other words, I won't be able to create a mirrored Unix account for every windows user that's put on the network.

I know this sound like it would be very insecure, but never the less that's what I have to come up with.

I've seen example configurations involving "user-level" security that still allows anonymous access where all file activity is "owned" by a single pre-defined user. This would be ideal. But I don't understand all the steps to setting this up. My understanding of Unix permissions is a little shakey too.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks,

tehnewb@shaw.ca

 

[PHV]

In unix create the "pre-defined" user, say pcguest, and makke it the owner of the shared directory.
Then in the samba.conf file at least the following:
1) global section
guest account = pcguest
workgroup = yourWindowsWorkgroup
force user = pcguest
force group = PrimaryGroupOfpcguest
security = share
null passwords = yes
2) shared directory section:
browseable = yes
writable = yes
public = yes

Hope This Helps, PH.
Want to get great answers to your Tek-Tips questions? Have a look at FAQ219-2884 or FAQ181-2886

 

[tehnewb]

Ya, that looks very helpful. I'll test it and let you know how I make out.

Thanks,

P.S. How do you assign a password to a share when using "share level" security? Can I do it globally?

 

[PHV]

The Samba server needs to serve 1 directory with read write access to everyone
So why boring with password ?

Hope This Helps, PH.
Want to get great answers to your Tek-Tips questions? Have a look at FAQ219-2884 or FAQ181-2886

 

[tehnewb]

Just wondering