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3. Base config

3.1 SMB account management

Linux passwords (for Linux services such as shell, email, ...) are stored in a different format than SMB passwords. Linux passwords are normally stored in the /etc/passwd file while SMB passwords are stored in /etc/smbpasswd file.

Linuxconf has the ability to update both password databases when you change or set one user account password. If you choose not to use this feature, you must update the SMB password using the smbpasswd utility.

Note that the two files (/etc/passwd and /etc/smbpasswd) must be synchronised, so that ID numbers in one match the IDs in the other. For this reason, the SMB password file may be managed using different strategy.

Not managed

Here you are on your own. For each new Linux account, you must use the smbpasswd to add accounts in /etc/smbpasswd using the -a command line option. You must also enter the password which will be used for SMB transactions.

Acct. & passwords

Linuxconf fully synrhronised both password databases. Both databases will contain the same passwords, crypted differently.

Acct. only

Linuxconf will create and delete accounts in the SMB password database, but will never update an SMB password,

This is the recommend option if you install the pam_smbpass authentification module. This module allows you to use a single password database (/etc/smbpasswd) for all services, including normal Linux logons.

3.2 Synchronize Linux from SMB passwords

Samba users (Windows users) can change their password. This updates the SMB password in /etc/smbpasswd. By enabling this feature, the Linux password will be updated too.

3.3 Server description

This controls what string will show up in the printer comment box in print manager and next to the IPC connection in "net view". It can be any string that you wish your users to see.

It also sets what will appear next to the machine name in the browse lists.

Default: Samba %v

Example: University of GNUs Samba Server

3.4 Work group

This controls which workgroup your server will appear to be in when queried by clients.

Default: set in the Makefile

Example: MYGROUP

3.5 Netbios name (opt)

This is the name of the machine as seen by SMB clients. Samba uses the hostname of the server by default. You can specify a different one here if needed.

3.6 Netbios aliases (opt)

A samba server may be accessed using different names. By using the %L macro, one can easily create virtual services where the effective directory exported changes depending on the server name used. You can use that to merge two servers in one, preserving client configuration (the old server logically continue to exist).


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