Mount Win2K3 Network share fails if using hostname instead of IP Address

jonathansfl · 01-03-2011, 05:10 PM

Using Ubuntu 10.04LTS
Why must I use the IP address to mount a (Win2K3 Svr) network drive using cifs or smbfs?
I have the Windows server in my /etc/hosts file as: my_hostname_which_pings_fine 192.168.1.40
pinging hostname: my_hostname_which_pings_fine returns a solid ping.

WORKS:

Code:

sudo mount -t cifs //192.168.1.40/Photos /media/mnt_club_id_images -o username=replication,password=mypassword
sudo mount -t smbfs //192.168.1.40/Photos /media/mnt_club_id_images -o username=replication,password=mypassword

FAILS:

Code:

sudo mount -t cifs //my_hostname_which_pings_fine/Photos /media/mnt_club_id_images -o username=replication,password=mypassword
sudo mount -t smbfs //my_hostname_which_pings_fine/Photos /media/mnt_club_id_images -o username=replication,password=mypassword

when i run the failing commands at command prompt I get error:

Quote:

mount.cifs kernel mount options: unc=//bst_webserver\Photos,ver=1,rw,username=replication,ip=192.168.1.40,pass=********
mount error(5): Input/output error
Refer to the mount.cifs(8) manual page (e.g. man mount.cifs)

dmesg says:

Quote:

CIFS VFS: cifs_mount failed w/return code = -5

Why does the hostname usage fail but the IP Address usage succeeds??

120 · 01-05-2011, 02:49 AM

Just a stab in the dark here, but when mounting you are using a netbios name that requires netbios resolution as opposed to a hostname that requires hostname resolution. Hence you can ping it as a host, but not mount it as a different name resolution process is in place.

Like I say, it's a guess - but this may throw more light on it:

http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=88206

jonathansfl · 01-05-2011, 07:47 AM

thanks. Nope.
I tried what that guide suggested:
sudo nano /etc/nsswitch.conf
update line: hosts: files dns
to: hosts: files wins dns
sudo apt-get install winbind
(winbind was already installed)

still get same errors:
dmesg: CIFS VFS: cifs_mount failed w/return code = -5
cmd prompt error: mount error(5): Input/output error
Refer to the mount.cifs(8)

120 · 01-05-2011, 08:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jonathansfl

thanks. Nope.
I tried what that guide suggested:
sudo nano /etc/nsswitch.conf
update line: hosts: files dns
to: hosts: files wins dns
sudo apt-get install winbind
(winbind was already installed)

still get same errors:
dmesg: CIFS VFS: cifs_mount failed w/return code = -5
cmd prompt error: mount error(5): Input/output error
Refer to the mount.cifs(8)

A quick search of the forum for:

Quote:

"cifs_mount failed w/return code = -5"

Gives this:

http://www.linuxquestions.org/questi...t-fail-469006/

I can't say if that sheds any more light on your problem as it may be a bit 'Fedora-esque' - but the core reason for the -5 may be answered, or it may give you some clues for further searching and troubleshooting.