Introduction

This chapter starts by providing a list of Samba tools followed by some basic information. The JumpStart section discusses how to set up a Samba server using system-config-samba, a minimal GUI. The next section covers how to use swat, a Web-based advanced configuration tool, to set up a Samba server. The final server section discusses how to set up a Samba server by hand, using a text editor to manually edit the files that control Samba. The next two sections, "Accessing Linux Shares from Windows" (page 711) and "Accessing Windows Shares from Linux" (page 712), explain how to work with Linux and Windows files and printers. The final section of the chapter, "Troubleshooting" (page 714), offers tips on what to do when you have a problem setting up or using Samba.

Table 23-1 lists the utilities and daemons that make up the Samba suite of programs.

Table 23-1. Samba utilities and daemons

Utility or daemon	Function
net	This utility has the same syntax as the DOS net command and, over time, will eventually replace other Samba utilities such as smbpasswd.
nmbd	The NetBIOS (page 1044) nameserver program, run as a daemon by default. Provides NetBIOS over IP naming services for Samba clients. Also provides browsing (as in the Windows Network Neighborhood or My Network Places view) support.
nmblookup	Makes NetBIOS (page 1044) name queries (page 715).
smbclient	Displays shares on a Samba server such as a Windows machine (page 713).
smbd	The Samba program, run as a daemon by default. Provides file and print services for Samba clients.
smbpasswd	Changes Windows NT password hashes on Samba and Windows NT servers (page 698).
smbstatus	Displays information about current smbd connections.
smbtree	Displays a hierarchical diagram of available shares (page 712).
swat	Samba Web Administration Tool. A graphical editor for the smb.conf file (page 701).
testparm	Checks syntax of the smb.conf file (page 714).
testprns	Checks printer names in the printcap file.