Samba share won't show in windows workgroup

larrybg · 09-15-2013, 09:21 PM

I'm running CentOS 6.4 and having a problem with Samba shares. All my Windows based computers cannot see CentOS shared folders in the Workgroup, but can open them by IP. Also there is a NAS drive that all Windows boxes can access by name, but CentOS server cannot, only by IP. I did my tests on my home network before getting this box installed at my friend's shop, and everything worked. What do you think? Could be the network issue, or my configuration?
This CentOS box should replace old Windows2003 server.

Here is my smb.conf:

Code:

[global]
        workgroup = MYWORK
        netbios name = SERVER1
        server string = My File Server Version %v
        log file = /var/log/samba/log.%m
        max log size = 50
        idmap config * : backend = tdb
        cups options = raw

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

[data]
        comment = Samba Data Share Directory
        path = /media/share_data/data
        valid users = @shareusers
        force group = shareusers
        read only = No
        create mask = 0770

[installs]
        comment = Samba Install Packages
        path = /media/share_data/installs
        valid users = @shareusers
        force group = shareusers
        read only = No
        create mask = 0770

[printer_scans]
        comment = Samba Printer Scans
        path = /media/share_data/printer_scans
        valid users = @shareusers
        force group = shareusers
        read only = No
        create mask = 0770

mostlyharmless · 09-16-2013, 04:15 AM

If everything worked at home, but doesn't at your friend's, then it must be his/her network setup. Are the machines all running the same Windows version? Is the work group name correct? Did you wait a while; Windows networks seem flaky in general in terms of refreshing time...

larrybg · 09-16-2013, 11:06 AM

I will be there to troubleshoot it. Will update.

zafar_dandoti · 09-18-2013, 01:03 AM

firewall of windows clients should allow file and print sharing,add the exception to windows firewall or disable it..

larrybg · 09-18-2013, 08:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zafar_dandoti

firewall of windows clients should allow file and print sharing,add the exception to windows firewall or disable it..

Windows firewall doesn't block view of the all available computers on the Network, it blocks the access it self, and we can access to shares by IP. So, its not THE reason.
Well, we ended up with updating shortcuts on the desktops to use IP address.
I'm not marking this thread as SOLVED, just in case for some other ideas.

jefro · 09-18-2013, 02:30 PM

You need to start nmb also as a service.

michaelk · 09-18-2013, 05:29 PM

linux can not resolve netbios names to IP addresses without a little help. You have a few options ie.e use the hosts or lmhosts file, configure samba as a WINS server or use a local DNS. With only a few devices on the network the hosts or lmhosts file is the easiest. The second easiest is configuring samba as a WINS server. In a nutshell samba always becomes the master browser and your windows PCs use it to find the server and other windows devices. The server can also use WINS to resolve netbios names to IP address.

What version of windows is running in the shop? As stated the workgroup name should be the same on all computers. Are the computers configured for a homegroup?

http://www.samba.org/samba/docs/using_samba/ch07.html

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/w...dows=windows-7