five tools for configuring samba

Samba lets Linux, Windows, and Mac communicate with one another, but it

can be tough to configure. These tools will help reduce your Samba

headaches.

Samba is one of those pieces of software that makes life possible within a homogeneous environment. You want

Windows, Mac, and Linux to talk to one another, you use Samba. But for some, configuring Samba can be a

challenge.

Thankfully, tools are available that can help nearly every skill level with the task. If you're a newbie, there's a tool that

can help you get Samba configured. If you're a master, there's always the command line. But which apps are best

suited for you? Let's take a look and find out.

Note: This list is also available as a photo gallery (http://www.techrepublic.com/photos/five-tools-to-simplify-samba-configuration

/6364070).

1: system-config-samba

This is the GUI tool that all new Samba admins should be using. System-config-samba (Figure A) can be installed

onto practically any Linux distribution and is incredibly easy to use. With this tool, you can configure the shares to be

handed out, as well as the Samba server settings. The GUI isn't cluttered with too many bells and whistles to

confuse the user, so getting shares added is as simple as clicking the Add button and filling in a few bits of

information.

Figure A

SOFTWARE

COMPARE

Five tools for configuring Samba

By Jack Wallen in Five Apps, May 16, 2012, 5:06 AM PST

Five tools for configuring Samba - TechRepublic http://www.techrepublic.com/blog/five-apps/five-tools-f...

1 sur 7 25/10/2013 11:43

system-config-samba

2: Swat

Swat (http://www.samba.org/samba/docs/man/manpages-3/swat.8.html) (Figure B) is the original GUI tool for Samba. It's a

Web-based tool that allows you to get much deeper into the configuration of Samba than any other tool. Although

newbies can use it, they may quickly become intimidated by the number of options available. Once Swat is installed,

you reach it by going to:

http://IP_ADDRESS_OF_SERVER:901

Figure B

Swat


2 sur 7 25/10/2013 11:43

3: GAdmin SAMBA

GAdmin SAMBA (http://freecode.com/projects/gadmin-samba) (Figure B) is part of the GAdmin Tools administration toolkit

and doesn't disappoint. This GUI tool can satisfy by any level of experience and will allow the newbie plenty of room

to grow. Although there is a bit of a learning curve with this interface, once you've figured it out, you'll be rocking out

Samba shares like crazy. GAdmin SAMBA also offers multiple local and remote user and group import and on-the-fly

share creation and user handling.

Figure C

GAdmin SAMBA

4: Webmin Samba Module

Webmin, being one of the most powerful administration tools, naturally offers a Samba module. Webmin Samba

Module (http://www.webmin.com/samba-howto.html) (Figure D) offers everything you want in a Samba administration

package: share, printer, share mode configuration as well as the ability to easily manage user access to different

shares.

Figure D


3 sur 7 25/10/2013 11:43

Webmin Samba Module

5: Command line

For those of you Samba masters, the command line (Figure E) is the thing. WIth the help of your favorite text editor

(such as nano, vi, or emacs), you can configure and manage every single aspect of your Samba server. Naturally,

this isn't the tool for new users. But even they should begin to examine the configuration file found in /etc/samba

/smb.conf. Learn how your GUI tool configures Samba by viewing this file and eventually you'll be a Samba master

as well.

Figure E


4 sur 7 25/10/2013 11:43

Command line

Good options

When working within a business environment, you will more than likely come across the need for Samba. But Samba

isn't your average tool that can be easily configured by anyone. You need a certain amount of skill to understand

how Samba works. Even so, that doesn't mean you have to deal with overly complicated tools to set up those

shares. Plenty of tools out there can get the job done. The five listed here, in my opinion, are the best.

Sign up for TechRepublic's Five Apps newsletter!

Subscribe

Subscribe

Add your Comment

About Jack Wallen

Jack Wallen is an award-winning writer for Techrepublic and Linux.com. As an avid promoter/user of

the Linux OS, Jack tries to convert as many users to open source as possible. His current favorite

flavor of Linux is Bodhi Linux (a melding of Ubuntu ...

You May Also Like

about these links

Editor's Picks


5 sur 7 25/10/2013 11:43

WHITE PAPERS

WHITE PAPERS

//

//

FROM DELL SOFTWARE

FROM DELL SOFTWARE

Building a Business Case: Data Warehouse Appliances

Building a Business Case: Data Warehouse Appliances

To bring true data warehousing to a broader set of organizations, data warehouse appliances

To bring true data warehousing to a broader set of organizations, data warehouse appliances

have hit the market at

have hit the market at

lower price points

lower price points

, Learn how small to mid-sized companies can build a

, Learn how small to mid-sized companies can build a

business case for a data warehouse appliance.

business case for a data warehouse appliance.

Learn more now

Learn more now

.

.

READ MORE

READ MORE

WHITE PAPERS

WHITE PAPERS

//

//

FROM DELL SOFTWARE

FROM DELL SOFTWARE

4 Ways to Modernize Your Application Performance Monitoring Strategy

4 Ways to Modernize Your Application Performance Monitoring Strategy

FIND OUT MORE

FIND OUT MORE

WHITE PAPERS

WHITE PAPERS

//

//

FROM CONDUSIV TECHNOLOGIES

FROM CONDUSIV TECHNOLOGIES

Boosting SQL Server Performance in a Virtual Environment

Boosting SQL Server Performance in a Virtual Environment

DOWNLOAD NOW

DOWNLOAD NOW

WHITE PAPERS

WHITE PAPERS

//

//

FROM SYMANTEC

FROM SYMANTEC

Symantec Internet Security Threat Report

Symantec Internet Security Threat Report

DOWNLOAD NOW

DOWNLOAD NOW

How to prevent Flash of

Unstyled Content on

your web sites

The 25 highest paying

U.S. companies for

software engineers

Malwarebytes Mobile

now protects Android

devices

10 IaaS providers who

provide free cloud

resources

White Papers, Webcasts, and Downloads

Don't Miss Our Latest Updates

Editor's Daily Picks

Subscribe

Subscribe

Week in Review

Subscribe

Subscribe


6 sur 7 25/10/2013 11:43

IT Buying Cycle

IT Buying Cycle

Learn more

Learn more

Discover

Discover

Investigate

Investigate

Compare

Compare

Justify

Justify

Optimize

Optimize

Apple announces iPad Air and more

Apple // October 22, 2013, 12:59 PM PST

SQRL: A new method of authentication with QR codes

Security // October 22, 2013, 12:46 PM PST

The 25 highest paying U.S. companies for software engineers

Software Development // October 24, 2013, 8:30 AM PST


7 sur 7 25/10/2013 11:43

five tools for configuring samba

Documents