Home Network Chaos..not a theory...

[longlivelinux]

Here is my setup/delima/frustration.

I have a P21.8Ghz, 512MB, ehternet PC installed with VL latests stable version. Attached to this PC is a 500GB External USB drive, which shows up. Also installed is a HP multi printer which is installed and work fine. My intention is to set it up as a file/print server for my network.

The clients:
Windows Vista laptop- Wileless(work)
WindowsXP/Linux Mint dual boot laptop- Wireless
Linux Mint Desktop- Ethernet
Vector Linux PC- ethernet

I need all clients to be able to see the server(clients not a concern), it shares (printer and external backup drive), and use them. I understand the permissions side of things.

Q: What need I install on the Vector server to make this happen? (Samba, Cups, etc??)

Q: Is there a site or HOWTO that details this step by step? ( I am looking at the Samba site, but is there anything Vector Specific??)

THANK YOU to any and all that can help me out here. I am desperately trying not to make it a Win2K Server, ..as I dislike MSFT with a passion.

[nightflier]

I can help getting you started with the file sharing. Begin here:
http://forum.vectorlinux.com/index.php?topic=84.0
Scroll down to  the section "Using the samba server to offer..."

Once the file sharing is taking care of, it should be easier to add the print portion.

[longlivelinux]

I'm no programmer..but I can not even get my other linux PC to see my linux server....there has GOT TO BE an eay way to make linux and windows speak  the same language without 4-8 days on configuring...if I had hair..I'd pull it out...

[newt]

I've always had pretty good luck connecting my linux systems to my network.  It usually takes just a few steps:
-configure the smb.conf file correctly (workgroup, network range, shares, etc)
-enable the server daemon
-add samba users to your linux system
-restart network or reboot system (optional)

IIRC, it usually takes less than 30 minutes to complete everything.  Hope this helps.

[bigpaws]

There are many steps.

The first place to start is with a tool called ping. If you can ping all of the
other machines then you can continue.

Open a console (terminal) and type:

ping "ipaddress of other computers here"

Note: Do not use quotes.

You should try this from at least two machines.
Also try pinging other computers.

There can be a firewall that is blocking your pings as well
which can stop all other things in their tracks.

You can try VASM to stop the firewall. You can also check that VASM
has stopped the firewall by opening a console. log in as root (su then enter root paasword)
and type iptables -L

That will list any firewall rules that maybe present.

Once this is done then you will be able to proceed.

Bigpaws