i have an existing windoze workgroup and would like the linux box (suse 8.2) to join it.

I also have a broadband router that hands out IPs through DHCP.

it gave the linux machine an IP, the linux machine can surf get email, but no network resources

I got confused at the network setup as I couldn`t find a spot to input the workgroup name, just the DNS etc, and I do not run a domain.

i would like to share files between the linux machine and the existing computers which are windoze 2k and xp.


appreciate some help with this thanks!

You need to install and configure Samba on the Linux box.

Depending on which machine is storing the files you want to access, you need to either install the client or the server.
If you are going to use the client, you need to have the correct kernelversion in order to mount "smbfs", the samba filesystem (basically you'll be mounting a "windoze share" on your box)

ok i got smaba installed

i got the workgroup right

so will the linux box "show up" in the network?

i want to be able to share files on either computers, going back and forth, how can you tell what the correct kernelversion in order to mount "smbfs"?

will the widoze share reside on the linux box?

plus I want to be able to print over the network using linux, i have a samsung ml-1210 laser printer on my network


this is getting fun so far! i appreciate all the help!

The windows share will reside on the windows machine. All Samba does is allow *.nix to recognize the windows smb networking protocol and access windows shares over the net.

You can add the windows shares to your /etc/fstab file and have them auto mount at boot time but I'd suggest one step at a time.

Is the printer a network printer or is it hooked up to one of the machines? If it's on the windows box you need to share the printer to all users and add it to the printer section of the Samba config file. I assume you've got printing setup on the Linux box. If not you need to config CUPS. Once done you ought to be able to print to the windows printer from your Linux box.

Details on how to get it talking are here:
http://www.tldp.org/HOWTO/SMB-HOWTO.html

About the kernel: You need one that allows you to compile smbfs into it. 2.4 and up works. I'm not sure about 2.2

Thanks alot! looks like another great resource page, I appreciate the help!