I like to SAMBA!

Well, something like that… As it turns out, I was finally able to do something with Samba that I haven’t been able to (of course, I hadn’t tried a lot, either) previously.

You see, for quite some time I’ve wanted to ‘properly’ set up the Samba server (providing Network Neighborhood/My Network Places features from a Linux environment) for operation. While the machines are all running on a protected network (and therefore aren’t nearly as susceptible to abuse — unless by an internal user), I had originally wanted to set up user-based security in Samba.

Instead, I’ve had to go with the cheezier (and less secure) Share-level security. Granted, on the home network this isn’t a huge deal as long as it works…but…on the work network it’s a little larger deal. Mostly in that it’s nice for users to be able to store their own files in their own, private, directories and also be able to create shares which are available only to certain users.

Enter: Windows Domain Membership.

While not all the client machines are actual ‘domain members,’ each one does prompt to log on at boot, which allows us to map drives (if necessary) and also allows us a little more security than in the share-level mode.

The idea (eventually) will be that users keep important files on the server where they can easily be accessed from inside and outside the network…and also be part of regular backups, an important thing for important files.

It took some configuration magic and lots of reading, but it works and works well for the purposes needed at this time.

More Time For…

…pretty much everything, although I’m still seemingly just as busy as before. Granted, I do have more time at home, though…and that’s been a Good Thing. Hopefully as the Subway thing gets phased out more things will get even better regarding free time. I am definitely anxious for the summer, though.

With the exception of being a little peeved about the pre-empting of NCAA Final Four games versus the 10PM news, today’s been a good day.

Until next time…

This post was upgraded to the MZ Online Blog on 8/25/07