Hi nightflier - If you think I should start a separate thread I will. But since StrayBit and I share some very similar networking issues perhaps it's actually better to keep it here.
Additionally, the samba users need to be created and have passwords
I've never had to create specific samba users or set passwords before. Not on a home lan.
Currently I only have one OS installed on each computer. The Compaq is the Vector box. I duplicated the same smb.conf settings I used with the Zenwalk box. And I'm trying this Samba connection with one other computer - the new Vista box.
#=========== Global Settings====================
[global]
# workgroup = NT-Domain-Name or Workgroup-Name
workgroup = ATLANTA
# server string is the equivalent of the NT Description field
server string = Compaq
# Security mode. Defines in which mode Samba will operate. Possible
# values are share, user, server, domain and ads. Most people will want
# user level security. See the Samba-HOWTO-Collection for details.
security = share
# this tells Samba to use a separate log file for each machine
# that connects
log file = /var/log/samba.%m
# Put a capping on the size of the log files (in Kb).
max log size = 50
# Browser Control Options:
# set local master to no if you don't want Samba to become a master
# browser on your network. Otherwise the normal election rules apply
local master = no
# Domain Master specifies Samba to be the Domain Master Browser. This
# allows Samba to collate browse lists between subnets. Don't use this
# if you already have a Windows NT domain controller doing this job
domain master = no
# Preferred Master causes Samba to force a local browser election on startup
# and gives it a slightly higher chance of winning the election
preferred master = no
#======== Share Definitions =================
[SharedDocs]
path = /home/danielh/SharedDocs
comment = SharedDocs
guest ok = yes
public = yes
writable = yes
printable = no
create mask = 0777
directory mask = 0777
vector:/~
danielh:$ testparm
Load smb config files from /etc/samba/smb.conf
Processing section "[SharedDocs]"
Loaded services file OK.
Server role: ROLE_STANDALONE
Press enter to see a dump of your service definitions
[global]
workgroup = ATLANTA
server string = Compaq
security = SHARE
log file = /var/log/samba.%m
max log size = 50
preferred master = No
local master = No
domain master = No
[SharedDocs]
comment = SharedDocs
path = /home/danielh/SharedDocs
read only = No
create mask = 0777
directory mask = 0777
guest ok = Yes
This is the result from vlsmbmnt:
vector://home/danielh
root:# vlsmbmnt
Mounting [\\ZENWALK\SharedDocs] at [/root/mnt/ZENWALK-SharedDocs]
mount error: could not find target server. TCP name ZENWALK/SharedDocs not found
No ip address specified and hostname not found
Mounting [\\BIGACER\SharedDocs] at [/root/mnt/BIGACER-SharedDocs]
mount error: could not find target server. TCP name BIGACER/SharedDocs not found
No ip address specified and hostname not found
(I don't understand why IP address needs to be specified and why hostname could not be found)
And this from your post recommendation:
vector:/~
danielh:$ ps aux | grep smbd
root 3234 0.0 0.1 10664 3032 ? Ss 12:59 0:00 /usr/sbin/smbd -D
root 3238 0.0 0.0 10664 1196 ? S 12:59 0:00 /usr/sbin/smbd -D
root 4579 0.0 0.1 11004 3124 ? S 13:30 0:00 /usr/sbin/smbd -D
danielh 7060 0.0 0.0 2060 560 pts/0 R+ 14:03 0:00 grep smbd
I know it's always confusing with this box can see those but that one can't see the other one etc.
Simply (and sadly) Vista/BIGACER can see and access everybody (including another computer with other installs I've recently tried). Zenwalk sees and accesses Vector just fine but Vector cannot see or access anybody else.
The Vector firewall is disabled and removed from startup services (I'm behind a Nat router with an SPI firewall).
I installed thunar-shares and the Vector SharedDocs folder is set to Properties-> Permission-> Group:sambashare-> Access:Read & Write.
I like VL with it's great community very much and really want to make this work. I've spent a lot of time trying to get this install networked and will try a little more.
Any suggestions?