Replacing a NT4 file server with a Lunix (SAMBA) file server

[tchekote]

Hi all

Ive got this crazy idea to replace a almost dead NT4 file server with a fresh Linux anything server...

My main concerns are the windows based foxpro program that most users use and their access to the new file server

We have approx 20 windows workstations ranging from win 3.1 to windows 7.

All access the files server through the network to manipulate a
database on the NT4.
The foxpro *.exe program is on the workstation.

A "map network drive" connection is made to the server for the access to the DB.

I know very little about linux and have read some about Samba...

I know little about linux but have read some about Samba...

I am sure this can be done. But will need the help of great linux community...



Thank You

 

[itsp1965]

Have you considered virtualizing your Windows NT server instead? If your customers are accessing the FoxPro app directly from the NT box, moving it to Linux may not help.

 

[SamBones]

I think a SAMBA file server is a great idea. Except for the fact that you have so many different versions of Windows clients. To use SAMBA you may have to upgrade your clients to at least a certain level of Windows at the lest. Supporting so many different versions seems like it will be a maintenance nightmare.

 

[ChrisRChamberlain]

tchekote

Have a similar situations to yours and use Ubuntu servers.

Rather than use the hard drive(s) of the Ubuntu server, I prefer USB desktop drives mounted on the Ubuntu server.

As there are always 2 USB desktop drives, you can rsync between them and the Ubuntu One folder on the server to enable cloud syncing.

If a server fails, there are backup servers and so it becomes as simple as swapping USB hubs and changing path settings to get going again.

The USB desktop drives are accessed via SAMBA.

The following code is in /etc/samba/smb.conf and this article may help

[Seagate]
    path = /media/SEA_DISC/
    browseable = yes
    read only = no
    guest ok = no
    create mask = 0644
    directory mask = 0755
    force user = chris
    force group = chris

[Targa]
    path = /media/TARGA DataBox/
    browseable = yes
    read only = no
    guest ok = no
    create mask = 0644
    directory mask = 0755
    force user = chris
    force group = chris

[Data]
    path = /var/data/
    browseable = yes
    read only = no
    guest ok = no
    create mask = 0644
    directory mask = 0755
    force user = chris
    force group = chris

The first two code blocks allow access to the USB drives, the third to the server's hard drive.

There's no need to reformat the USB drives so should you ever revert to a Windows server, the USB drives remain in a Windows file format.

FAQ184-2483​

Chris
PDFcommander.com
motrac.co.uk

 

[BadBigBen]

if you want less headaches then maybe consider a NAS solution instead... with a NAS you will not have to worry about configuring SAMBA at all, you would just enter USERS / PSWDS / Groups, etc...

e.g.

FreeNAS

http://www.freenas.org/

(
or

OpenE DSS V6

http://www.open-e.com/

(proprietary but has a free/lite version for up to 2TB of storage space)

Ben
"If it works don't fix it! If it doesn't use a sledgehammer..."
How to ask a question, when posting them to a professional forum.
Only ask questions with yes/no answers if you want "yes" or "no"