Fedora Linux

7.1.2. How Does It Work?

Samba uses the Server Message Block (SMB) protocol suite and related protocols and programs developed by Microsoftmore recently grouped under the moniker Common Internet File System (CIFS). The name Samba is derived from the acronym SMB.

SMB and related protocols have been in use since the 1980s, but have changed significantly through the years. There are many different, incompatible implementations of the protocols present in various versions of Windows, and in particular, there are several ways of authenticating users. Many of Samba's configuration options relate to compatibility and user authentication.

Samba is implemented as two server daemons:

nmbd

Provides NetBIOS name server services

smbd

Provides SMB/CIFS services

The graphical configuration tool for Samba is system-config-samba .

7.1.3. What About...

7.1.3.1. ...disabling access to printers through Samba?

To prevent Samba from sharing your printers with Windows systems, delete (or comment out) this printer share in /etc/samba/smb.conf :

[printers]
comment = All Printers
path = /var/spool/samba
browseable = no
# Set public = yes to allow user 'guest account' to print
; guest ok = no
; writeable = no
printable = yes

Restart or reload Samba to activate the change.

7.1.3.2. ...accessing a Samba share on another Linux machine?

Use the Places>Network Servers option on the GNOME menu (or go to smb:// in KDE's Konqueror) to browse Windows network shares, including Samba shares.

You can also mount Samba or Windows shares at the command line. To mount the share bluesky from the server pictures on the mount point /mnt/pictures :

# mount -t smb //bluesky/pictures /mnt/pictures

This invokes the smbmount command.

7.1.4. Where Can I Learn More?

? The manpages for samba , smb.conf , smbd , nmbd , findsmb , smbmount , and smbumount

? The files in /usr/share/samba* , especially /usr/share/samba*/Samba-Guide.pdf and /usr/share/samba*/Samba- HOWTO-Collection.pdf

? The Samba web site: http://www.samba.org/

7.2. Configuring a DHCP Server

Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) is used to automatically send basic configuration data to computers and network devices. This centralizes network configuration control so that a change in the network layoutsuch as adding a nameserver or a gateway, or renumbering the networkdoes not require a visit to every computer in the network. DHCP also provides a convenient method of supplying network configuration information to visiting computers, such as the laptop of a visiting colleague.

When a DHCP client system boots, it effectively shouts a broadcast message to the network: 'Does anyone know who I am?' The DHCP server replies, 'I know you, you're...' and then proceeds to tell the client its IP address and some combination of other network configuration information, possibly including a hostname, nameserver, timeserver, gateway, and default domain. The information sent by the DHCP server is called a lease and is only valid for a set length of time. The client can renew the lease when it expires, in which case it can keep its identity, or, if it disappears from the network and fails to renew the lease, the IP address can be recycled by the DHCP server and assigned to another host.

Most home and small networks are connected to the Internet by a router or gateway device that includes DHCP service capability. However, you may prefer to use the Fedora DHCP server instead because it gives you more configuration options and control over the network configuration.

7.2.1. How Do I Do That?

Before you set up a DHCP server for your network, you must design the network layout that you wish to use.

Private networksones that will not be connected to the Internet, or that will be connected through a router or gateway that performs network address translation (NAT), or masquerading will use one of the private network ranges defined in RFC 1918, shown in Table 7-1.