14.3. Samba Server Types and the smb.conf File
Samba configuration is straightforward. All modifications to Samba are done in the
/etc/samba/smb.conf configuration file. Although the default smb.conf file is well documented, it does not address complex topics such as LDAP, Active Directory, and the numerous domain controller implementations.
The following sections describe the different ways a Samba server can be configured. Keep in mind your needs and the changes required to the
smb.conf file for a successful configuration.
14.3.1. Stand-alone Server
A stand-alone server can be a workgroup server or a member of a workgroup environment. A stand-alone server is not a domain controller and does not participate in a domain in any way. The following examples include several anonymous share-level security configurations and one user-level security configuration. For more information on share-level and user-level security modes, refer to Section 14.4, “ Samba Security Modes ”.
14.3.1.1. Anonymous Read-Only
The following
smb.conf file shows a sample configuration needed to implement anonymous read-only file sharing. The security = share parameter makes a share anonymous. Note, security levels for a single Samba server cannot be mixed. The security directive is a global Samba parameter located in the [global] configuration section of the smb.conf file.
[global] workgroup = DOCS netbios name = DOCS_SRV security = share [data] comment = Documentation Samba Server path = /export read only = Yes guest only = Yes
14.3.1.2. Anonymous Read/Write
The following
smb.conf file shows a sample configuration needed to implement anonymous read/write file sharing. To enable anonymous read/write file sharing, set the read only directive to no. The force user and force group directives are also added to enforce the ownership of any newly placed files specified in the share.
Note
Although having an anonymous read/write server is possible, it is not recommended. Any files placed in the share space, regardless of user, are assigned the user/group combination as specified by a generic user (
force user) and group (force group) in the smb.conf file.
[global] workgroup = DOCS netbios name = DOCS_SRV security = share [data] comment = Data path = /export force user = docsbot force group = users read only = No guest ok = Yes
14.3.1.3. Anonymous Print Server
The following
smb.conf file shows a sample configuration needed to implement an anonymous print server. Setting browseable to no as shown does not list the printer in Windows Network Neighborhood. Although hidden from browsing, configuring the printer explicitly is possible. By connecting to DOCS_SRV using NetBIOS, the client can have access to the printer if the client is also part of the DOCS workgroup. It is also assumed that the client has the correct local printer driver installed, as the use client driver directive is set to Yes. In this case, the Samba server has no responsibility for sharing printer drivers to the client.
[global] workgroup = DOCS netbios name = DOCS_SRV security = share printcap name = cups disable spools= Yes show add printer wizard = No printing = cups [printers] comment = All Printers path = /var/spool/samba guest ok = Yes printable = Yes use client driver = Yes browseable = Yes
14.3.1.4. Secure Read/Write File and Print Server
The following
smb.conf file shows a sample configuration needed to implement a secure read/write print server. Setting the security directive to user forces Samba to authenticate client connections. Notice the [homes] share does not have a force user or force group directive as the [public] share does. The [homes] share uses the authenticated user details for any files created as opposed to the force user and force group in [public].
[global] workgroup = DOCS netbios name = DOCS_SRV security = user printcap name = cups disable spools = Yes show add printer wizard = No printing = cups [homes] comment = Home Directories valid users = %S read only = No browseable = No [public] comment = Data path = /export force user = docsbot force group = users guest ok = Yes [printers] comment = All Printers path = /var/spool/samba printer admin = john, ed, @admins create mask = 0600 guest ok = Yes printable = Yes use client driver = Yes browseable = Yes
