To share files and printers between Microsoft Windows and Linux/Unix computers.

If you selected Windows File Server Package during CentOS 5 installation, then you have installed Samba.

Check and see if samba is installed with this command:

# rpm -q samba

If it is not installed, then use these commands to install it:

# yum install samba

# yum install samba-common

# yum install samba-client

# yum install system-config-samba

Samba configuration file is /etc/samba/smb.conf.

To set SElinux

# setsebool -P samba_enable_home_dirs 1

To Start Samba Server:

# service smb start

To Start Samba Server when the system is booted:

# chkconfig smb on

you can create samba users only from linux users who already have accounts.

Example

If you want to share the tmp2 directory with linux and windows computers on your network, and you want to give the root and sambauser1 read and write access, do the following:

1. Edit samba server

   # vi /etc/samba/smb.conf

   [global]
   netbios name = server2
   workgroup = MYGROUP
   server string = Samba Server
   security = user

2. At the end of the file add the following:

   [tmp2]
   path = /tmp2
   writeable = yes
   valid users = root, sambauser1
   

3. Save and close the file.
4. Test the syntax with this command:

   # testparm

5. Add the root user to samba users.

   # smbpasswd -a root

6. Add sambauser1 to linux users

   # useradd sambauser1

7. Create a password for sambauser1

   # smbpasswd -a sambauser1

8. Make sure the firewall does not block access to samba port by running:

   # system-config-securitylevel

   Allow (samba) as "Trusted Services"

9. Create the tmp2 directory.

   # mkdir /tmp2

   # chmod 1777 /tmp2

10. Restart samab

    # service smb restart

11. 1)Make sure the samba server and the samba clients have the same workgroup, for example, if the workgroup is MYGROUP, you need to go to the samba clients(linux/windows) and make it the same workgroup name. For linux server and client computers, edit smb.conf and change workgroup = MYGROUP. For the window computer right click on mycomputer=>properties=>Computer Name=>Change=>Workgroup=>MYGROUP
12. To mount the samba driver

    # smbclient -L server2.example.com -U root

If you get prompted for a password and you can see the tmp2 directory then your samba is working correctly.

To configure a printer in the smb.conf file:

# vi /etc/samba/smb.conf

[global]
netbios name=server2
workgroup=MYGROUP
security=share
printcap name=/etc/printcap
load printers=yes
printing=cups
[printers]
path=/var/spool/samba
browsable=yes
printable=yes
guest ok=no
writable=no