Added: 11/20/2005 |
Samba for linux file serversLinux file servers are very popular in modern corporative networks. One of the most popular components that supports functioning of the Linux file server is the SAMBA service.
SAMBA is a network service that provides many possibilities. For instance, each file server requires a distribution of the Linux file system by the Windows 9x/NT operation systems and a distribution of the Windows file systems by the Linux operation system. A shared usage of printers, connected to the Linux operation system by Windows 9x/NT operation systems and vise versa are other useful Samba functions. The service can also organize clients' domain systems by the management of the Windows operation system.
In fact, Samba is a protocol that Microsoft uses for the distribution of the files and print services. This protocol was developed in 1987 and transferred the Linux platforms by Andrew Tridgell.
To provide the Linux file servers with Samba you should obtain the following components:
- Operation system Red Hat Linux 7.2 (this release is an optimal one for servers).
- Stable Samba version.
- C language compiler (for instance, gcc).
- Network Recycle Bin patch that is developed by Amherst College. This patch permits to extend a standard functionality by supporting of a recycle bin for remote files at network disks.
- Physical or virtual server that requires Samba installation.
For a normal functioning of the Linux file servers, you should define its disk partitions structures. The second step is a network bin installation. All operation systems that have a graphical user's interface propose the so called recycle bin to users. A recycle bin is a temporary storage for the files that users remove from their workstations. As a rule, these functions are unavailable for the network resources, thus, a system administrator should perform a periodical backup for the users' files. If the Backup software did not save the files in advance, then this operation will become ineffective. The network bin is required for these cases.
The Linux file servers' users can use the network bin to restore the previous file version without the network administrator's help. Nevertheless, this is not always easy and safe due to the following reasons:
- The network bin is a simple folder than can exist as on a current, as well as on a specialized resource. Network bins of different users can be displaced at the same physical disk.
- Only a resource owner has permissions to enter this folder and consequently to do something with it. If only one user is to use the network resource, then it is not a problem. However, if some users have an access to the same resource and only one user has permissions to remove the files, then it may lead to problems. A solution is to provide an access to the folder for all the users.
- If systems use disk quotes, their settings should be done, taking into consideration possible network bin affection.
These recommendations are specific for the Linux system administration purposes. The Samba service provides a full power of usage for such systems. Rich hardware resources may not provide a fast access to data without a proper speed of the access, provided by the software packages like Samba.
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