Beginner Samba file share (linux and XP)
 

HI,
I'm trying to set up a basic file share on my zenwalk server. It just needs to be a folder that windows XP can read and write to while connected via my wireles router. I don't need it to be particularly secure as long as it can't be accessed randomly through the internet. I've tried several sample configurations and many combinations of security options, but I'm running into the same problems in all cases.
If security = share, then I can't access the workgroup form the windows client.
If, however, security = user, then I can see the samba server, but I can't access it.

Here's my current smb.conf according to SWAT
If anyone has had this problem, please tell me how you overcame it. Could the problem be something on the Windows side? Thanks.

samba config
 

greetings nonerz

the following is my smb.conf that works for me:

[global]

workgroup = WORKGROUP
server string = Samba Server
hosts allow = 192.168.1.
log file = /var/log/samba/%m.log
max log size = 0
security = share
password level = 0
socket options = TCP_NODELAY SO_RCVBUF=8192 SO_SNDBUF=8192
os level = 0
domain master = no
preferred master = no
wins support = yes

[HDD]
comment = shared area
path = /shared
public = yes
writable = yes
printable = no

To make the /shared directory really open I run < chmod 777 /shared > as root.

Hope this helps.

Okay, I tried that configuration, adjusting for workgroup. This time the samba server is invisible to the windows client. I tried reverting to my old settings, but the samba server is still not showing up.

UPDATE: I rebooted everything, and I'm back to my original problem: I can see the server, but I'm not allowed any access.

Here's the current smb.conf according to SWAT

[global]
workgroup = ZENXNONIXS
server string = Samba Server
map to guest = Bad User
guest account = noni
username level = 4
log file = /var/log/samba.%m
max log size = 50
os level = 32
ldap ssl = no
hosts allow = 192.168.11., 127.

[music]
path = /home/noni/music
read only = No
guest ok = Yes

UPDATE 2

Well, it's finally working. Here's the final smb.conf:

[global]
workgroup = ZENXNONIXS
netbios name = NONIXSERVERXS
server string =
security = SHARE
log file = /var/log/samba.%m
max log size = 50
os level = 32
ldap ssl = no
hosts allow = 192.168.11., 127.

[music]
path = /home/noni/music
read only = No
guest ok = Yes

I changed the file one option at a time. Interstingly, It's not share level security that made the file share work. Changing the Netbios name from NONIXSERVERX2021S to NONIXSERVERXS is what finally gave the windows client access. Weird. I hope this helps somebody else.

I may try going back to USER security, but I don't feel up to taking the risk. Samba is just too finicky.