Linux - How to transfer/copy files via a network connection using Samba between Linux and Windows

Install the Samba application

If you use Oracle Entreprise Linux 5 (of Red Hat, Cent), you will find the rpm installation package in the directory

/media/Entreprise Linux dvd 20090127

Install the 4 rpm files.

Once the installation is done, you can test ii with this command : rpm -q samba

[root@oel11g ~]# rpm -q samba
samba-3.0.33-3.7.el5

The command give us the file and the version name if it's installed of otherwise :

package samba is not installed

Configuration of Samba

The configuration of Samba occur in the file /etc/samba/smb.conf. You can modify it manually or best by using the web-based swap interface.

Below my smb.conf file. You can find the documentation about the parameters in the original smb.conf file or in the documentation Samba-HOWTO-Collection.

# Samba config file created using SWAT
# from 127.0.0.1 (127.0.0.1)
# Date: 2009/10/15 13:29:18

[global]
	workgroup = MYGROUP
	server string = Samba Server Version %v
	passdb backend = tdbsam
	cups options = raw

[homes]
	comment = Home Directories
	read only = No

[printers]
	comment = All Printers
	path = /var/spool/samba
	read only = No
	guest ok = Yes
	printable = Yes
	browseable = No

[public]
	comment = Public Stuff
	path = /home/samba
	write list = +staff
	read only = No
	guest ok = Yes

How to add a user

A samba user must be a Linux user. To add it to samba, you do it by using the command smbpasswd as :

[root@oel11g ~]# smbpasswd -a root
New SMB password:
Retype new SMB password:
Added user root.

From the windows platform

• Get the ip address of the linux system (with Linux - ifconfig (Interface Configuration))
• Open the repository browser and tape an UNC address
• Enter the credential of a user define above
• And you must see the shared map.

From the linux platform

To test the installation, you use the smbclient application and you must give a UNC name.

Example :

[root@oel11g ~]# smbclient //localhost/homes
Password: 
Domain=[OEL11G] OS=[Unix] Server=[Samba 3.0.33-3.7.el5]
smb: \> 

perl(Convert::ASN1) is needed

[root@di-obia-01 Server]# rpm -i samba-3.0.33-3.28.el5.x86_64.rpm
error: Failed dependencies:
        perl(Convert::ASN1) is needed by samba-3.0.33-3.28.el5.x86_64
[root@di-obia-01 Server]# rpm -i perl-Convert-ASN1-0.20-1.1.noarch.rpm
[root@di-obia-01 Server]# rpm -i samba-3.0.33-3.28.el5.x86_64.rpm