Hello:

I have a newly installed Dell computer with Fedora Core 4 installed. My ultimate goal is to use this server to serve up a couple websites via Apache, but I would also like to setup a client/server network for file and print services for my two other computers (Dell-Windows XP coputers). I currently connect both XP computers to my Linksys router which is connected to my DSL modem for internet access.

Can anyone offer any suggestions on how to begin the setup of this network? I know I will probably need Samba. Are there any tutorials out there that are specific to this type of installation?

Thanks so much for your help...

SAMBA is exactly what you need. The documentation on samba.org is first rate and I would be happy to answer any questions you come across (to the best of my abilities, anyway).

Here is a link that I found:

http://www.reallylinux.com/docs/sambaserver.shtml

Can you confirm that this is the one I need. It looks appropriate to me, but I just want to be sure...

Thanks!

I've generally used The official samba HowTo. The article you linked to also seems useful.

Okay, I will check both of them.

As far as your personal preference, do you think this will be a good configuration for what I am trying to do?

Thanks again...

I run samba on 3 machines in my mixed Lin/Win environment. I run it on my desktop to play media files from my laptop and print to my inkjet printer. On another machine, I serve print jobs to two virtual printers that both map to the same real printer (two sets of drivers for different uses). And finally, I have a server with large hard disks that I use to perform over-network backups of user-space data from all of my machines.

What type of architecture do you use? Are you using a switch, hub, etc?

I plan on using my router as my connection point. Do you see any conflicts that may arise there?

I see no problem with that. Just make sure you configure samba to only accept connections from the LAN and your router to block other sources.

I have a linux router connected to a switch (well, multiple stacked switches) on my network. It has worked flawlessly.

Great. Thanks for helping out. I think I am ready to give it a try when I get home.

This is my first day on this site as I explore my new O/S venture. I am really impressed at how helpful everyone has been so far.

Thanks much!

I'm glad we've been able to help you. We do what we can.

Do keep us up to speed on your progress.

Will do...

I'm ready to dive in.

For others in the same circumstance as me, I have also found www.dslwebserver.com to be a great source for setting up your own webserver at home.

Cool site. I've never even seen or run across that before, and I thought I'd read everything out there. Just goes to show that we all have something to learn here.

Yeah, www.dslwebserver.com seems to be a little home grown, but it is a perfect fit for what I am trying to accomplish and I think it provides tons of excellent information...

Hey, whatever works. If it conveys the information, then I don't need flashiness.

I agree completely!

I'm going to give it all a try and will let you know what happens.

If you see black smoke over Kentucky, you'll know things didn't go as expected...lol