Table of Contents
Abstract
The Samba server allows you to easily integrate a Mandrake Linux computer in an heterogeneous network. Through Samba, your computer can appear in other people's network neighborhood and act as a Microsoft Windows server by sharing files, distant user accounts, printers, etc.
In order to be able to configure Samba with Webmin's interface, you have to check that samba packages are installed on your system. Then, the module called Samba Windows FileSharing allows you to configure the server and devices. You can find this modules in the Servers category (by clicking on the Servers tab). If this module is unreachable, you need to install it from the Webmin site using the module Webmin Configuration. Click on the Webmin Module icon and indicate the location of the file you wish to install (or delete).
Once in the Samba configuration section of Webmin, click on the Windows Networking icon. Define a Workgroup for your server. At the same time, you have the possibility to modify the Server Name and the Server Description. Then, select the security level User level and validate your choice by clicking on Save.
If you plan to use the file server with a Windows 9x client, you have to modify the default value in the Authentication section: set Use encrypted passwords? to No.
Create a new shared directory in your file tree.
At last, click on the Start Samba Server button to activate your choices. If your Samba server is already running, you have to click on Restart Samba Server.
The main part of the configuration screen is ruled by the Share List section. When you want to share a new directory from your tree, you can either create a new sharing with Create a new file share, or create a copy of an already existing sharing with Create a new copy. This allows you to configure all options for one specific shared directory and to create new sharing with the same options, like a template. In the same time, you can watch all current connections to your Samba server.
The Authentication section deals with Samba passwords. In the File Share Defaults section, Samba waits for you to configure the default directory that user will find in their sharing list. You can tune options concerning file names (case specificity for example) or file permissions (like umask or group permissions).
You should set to Printer Share Defaults the local printers you wish to be shared. Indicate the name and the availability of the printer. Moreover, all locally accessible printers you configured will be available through Samba. You can configure some parameters about this option in the Windows to Unix Printing section.
In the Encrypted Passwords section, you can manage all your Samba users. You can either manage them by hand or tell the Webmin module to automatically synchronize itself with the local-users base.
If you find this interface isn't what you await for, try the SWAT interface, which is the official Samba web interface.