Linux Reality Episode 26:  Windows Networking Part 2 
Extra Notes

Accessing Linux from Windows 

Install the Samba server with your package manager.  

It is easier if your username and passwords are the same on both the
Linux computer and the Windows computer.  This is the key to getting
permissions to work correctly.

Edit /etc/smb/smb.conf - back it up first using cp!!

Edit smb.conf as follows:

[global]
workgroup = YOUR_WINDOWS_WORKGROUP 
printers = cups printcap
name = cups

[homes] 
comment = Home Directories 
browseable = yes

# By default, the home directories are exported read-only. Change
# next parameter to 'yes' if you want to be able to write to them.
writable = yes

# File creation mask is set to 0700 for security reasons. If you
# want to create files with group=rw permissions, set next parameter
# to 0775.
create mask = 0775

# Directory creation mask is set to 0700 for security reasons. If
# you want to create dirs. with group=rw permissions, set next
# parameter to 0775.
directory mask = 0775

If you do this, then you need to have same username & password on
Linux & Windows.

Optional (this is to share printers via Samba.  Can also use CUPS): 

[printers] 
path = /var/spool/samba 
printable = yes 
guest ok = yes 
browseable = no 
public = yes

(You can also create a Samba public drop point, e.g. /home/samba
 instead.  If you do this, chmod 0777 /home/samba so everyone has
 permission)

Give your Linux user Samba credentials:

(as root):  smbpasswd -a username

Again, this should also be your Windows users & password.  Must also
be a user on the Linux machine. Samba users are not the same as Linux
users.  Basically, user "joe" should be a Windows user, a Linux user,
and a Samba user all with the same password.

THEN

Start or restart Samba, which is usually done like this (as root):

/etc/init.d/samba start|stop|restart

Then in Windows, browse through your network, select Windows network,
and you should see the name of your linux computer.  Double
click, enter your Samba username/pass and it should work.  Or,
can navigate with windows explorer, using backslashes, like this:

\\computer\homes

Updated:  Tue Jan 16 20:34:54 EST 2007