open files and restricted files on the same Samba server
 

I currently trying to setup a simple home file server using Debain etch. On the server I want two shares. One share (the 'Open' share) will me the main file dump for every computer on the network, with no logins or passwords required. The second 'Restricted' share would require a login and password.

Having the restricted share as just a sub folder of the open share would be nice if possible.

Samba seems to take an all or nothing approach to its shares.

So, how do I set this up?

GOod question. I think SAMBA uses the most restrictive settings. So under your global setting, try to use security = share

Then under the private folder that you want with username/password, use the security = user setting. Will that work? I'm just throwing it out there as I've never tried it like this.

well, Just tried that, and it almost worked. I access the open share just fine (the default directory is /server/share), no login needed. When I click the Restricted folder (/server/share/restricted/) I get a login prompt. However, the user name field is locked (grayed out) and set for guest, all i can enter is a password which doesn't work because guest has no password. Also leaving the password field blank doesn't work either.

I'm guessing what happens is that the moment I access the open share I get logged in as guest and samba wont allow me to log in as another user while I'm logged in as guest.

There must be some simple way of doing this?
I refuse to believe that I am the first to want some files open and some secure.

Basically all I want is just a NAS with a password protected folder.