Using Ubuntu as a file server...

[dc1971]

Okay, I was able to set this up before with no problems but apparently it has become a headache this time around...

I am trying to set up a file server using my dedicated Ubuntu machine. I am able to browse the internal network FROM the Ubuntu computer that includes two other Windows computers (XP, and 7) and two other Apple computers (Tiger, and Snow Leopard). However trying to access the Ubuntu machine from the other four machines seems to have it's challenges. I have samba installed, and even have the Gadmin application installed so that I can set up everything through GUI instead of using the terminal. I also have apache installed (more on that in a bit). I have one folder shared on the Ubuntu machine which is the 'Public' folder. When I view the Share options it does show that sharing is enabled but when I click on the option to have other network users change files it will show it has selected but then when I click off and then bring up sharing options again it will show it is NOT selected. Also, I do have my firewall set up to accept all incoming traffic and have assigned the proper ports assigned with TCP, UDP and network traffic through my router. All is well on the Ubuntu machine but when I access My Network on either Windows machines, there is no listing for the Ubuntu machine under network connections through my "Workgroup" nor can I access this machine internally via HTTP or FTP.

I was able to do this before, what am I doing wrong?

Thank you in advance for any and all help.

DC

[Ducky]

Which version of ubuntu?

Are the windows machines accessing this via a wireless connection? Sometimes there is a setting on home wireless routers that separates the LAN from the WLAN.

Also, what is the output of the following command:

sudo ufw status

It may come down to needing to see conf files (which would be inappropriate to post outright here.) If so, PM me, we can email more about this.

[TobiasTheViking]

I'm more used to working in the command line than with a GUI interface. So i can't help you much with how to fix the problem. But there are a few things you should try.

For instance, it sounds like it could be a problem with netbios(Used to give your computers names on the network).

Have you tried accessing your ubuntu share from your other computers through ip?

Just open your explorer(not internet explorer) and go to \\(ip of ubuntu)\(Share name). Like "\\10.0.0.1\Public". I'm not sure if there is an address bar in explorer to do that in any windows later than XP, but in XP that is doable.

Or, on the mac, in finder attach a network drive, and for the address give smb://10.0.0.1/Public (or rather, your values).

It's the same test, if you can get access with these tests, then it a netbios or workgroup problem, if not, it is something else.

Could you give me the output of "smbclient -L localhost"?

[GreNME]

I think you guys are getting too far ahead of the problem.

dc1971, do you know what the permissions are for the folder you're sharing out?

[The_Fire]

Btw. which version number Ubuntu are you using? I still cant get my Samba to work with Karmic......

[Ducky]

Btw. which version number Ubuntu are you using? I still cant get my Samba to work with Karmic......

I can help. can you PM me with some details? We can discuss your config options if you like.

If you guys are using a dedicated machine for this, I really reccomend using NEXENTA. (http://www.nexenta.org/)

The reason I say this is because it has ubuntu/debian packaging for software (via apt) and uses zfs which can give you very neat and easy configuration options for pools of disk. Makes backups a snap also. You can also zfs share via samba much easier than fighting with linux.

my two cents. YMMV.

Of course if you are using this ubuntu server for other things, you can build those into the nexenta server, but if you don't want ot take the time I can help with getting Samba up. PM me some specifics and possibly config files (sanitized of course. I don't need to see your authentication details.)

[dc1971]

I think you guys are getting too far ahead of the problem.

dc1971, do you know what the permissions are for the folder you're sharing out?

Sorry I didn't get back to you guys sooner. I had other computer troubles that I was dealing with. Setting up some new personal computers for a class that I'm taking as well as formatting and installing Windows 7 for a friend.

Anyway... my permissions for what folder I'm sharing is for Owner (I use the owner name frontroom123), Folder access is Create and delete files, group is set at the group I created which is "workgroup" and Others can Create and delete files as for file access under all three there is nothing selected, it wouldn't let me select any of the File Access under the Owner, group or Others.

[dc1971]

I can help. can you PM me with some details? We can discuss your config options if you like.

If you guys are using a dedicated machine for this, I really reccomend using NEXENTA. (http://www.nexenta.org/)

The reason I say this is because it has ubuntu/debian packaging for software (via apt) and uses zfs which can give you very neat and easy configuration options for pools of disk. Makes backups a snap also. You can also zfs share via samba much easier than fighting with linux.

my two cents. YMMV.

Of course if you are using this ubuntu server for other things, you can build those into the nexenta server, but if you don't want ot take the time I can help with getting Samba up. PM me some specifics and possibly config files (sanitized of course. I don't need to see your authentication details.)

Not sure what YMMV is.. sorry, I'm bad on the netiquette and memes! I'm guessing NEXENTA is yet another operating system. I might check it out but in the meantime I am using my Ubuntu desktop as a file server on my local network and am still in the process of setting up a web file server. I will message you.

[negativ]

YMMV = Your Mileage May Vary. A disclaimer indicating results are not guaranteed.

Nexenta is yet another operating system, and a rather dreadful one in my opinion.

Although Arch and Ubuntu are somewhat different, many Ubuntu users have benefited from Arch's (quite excellent) wiki and forum. You might check it out.

http://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/Samba

[Ducky]

YMMV = Your Mileage May Vary. A disclaimer indicating results are not guaranteed.

Nexenta is yet another operating system, and a rather dreadful one in my opinion.

Although Arch and Ubuntu are somewhat different, many Ubuntu users have benefited from Arch's (quite excellent) wiki and forum. You might check it out.

http://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/Samba

Why is it dreadful? You have ubuntu-packaged apt on top of opensolaris. the ability for ZFS alone is killer. with zfs compression and dedup turned on you use far less disk space and can easily set up shares in one command. snapshot backups are also very simple.

[Astreja]

I found a troubleshooting guide here (http://www.samba.org/samba/docs/man/Samba-HOWTO-Collection/diagnosis.html).

The last time I had major problems with Samba, it was the password encryption level that did me in.

[dc1971]

I found a troubleshooting guide here (http://www.samba.org/samba/docs/man/Samba-HOWTO-Collection/diagnosis.html).

The last time I had major problems with Samba, it was the password encryption level that did me in.

Yes, and there's where I'm stuck too!

[D'rok]

With Ubuntu, I think the key is forgetting you're on Linux. Stay away from Samba guides and third-party admin apps. Just go ahead and do it the easy way. What's wrong with doing this:

1. Right-click on a folder and choose "Sharing Options"
2. Let Samba auto-install if prompted
3. Check "Share this folder"
4. Check "Allow other people to write in this folder"
5. Click "Create share"
6. Go to another machine (Windows or MacOS) and create a user with exactly the same username/password as your Ubuntu user and login as that user
7. Go to "\\server_ip\share_name" where "server_ip" is the IP address of your Ubuntu box and "share_name_ is the name of the share you created

Works for me. You may have to restart the Ubuntu box, or manually start the SMB service before it all comes together.

[dc1971]

With Ubuntu, I think the key is forgetting you're on Linux. Stay away from Samba guides and third-party admin apps. Just go ahead and do it the easy way. What's wrong with doing this:

1. Right-click on a folder and choose "Sharing Options"
2. Let Samba auto-install if prompted
3. Check "Share this folder"
4. Check "Allow other people to write in this folder"
5. Click "Create share"
6. Go to another machine (Windows or MacOS) and create a user with exactly the same username/password as your Ubuntu user and login as that user
7. Go to "\\server_ip\share_name" where "server_ip" is the IP address of your Ubuntu box and "share_name_ is the name of the share you created

Works for me. You may have to restart the Ubuntu box, or manually start the SMB service before it all comes together.

Good suggestion! I will try that!

[dc1971]

With Ubuntu, I think the key is forgetting you're on Linux. Stay away from Samba guides and third-party admin apps. Just go ahead and do it the easy way. What's wrong with doing this:

1. Right-click on a folder and choose "Sharing Options"
2. Let Samba auto-install if prompted
3. Check "Share this folder"
4. Check "Allow other people to write in this folder"
5. Click "Create share"
6. Go to another machine (Windows or MacOS) and create a user with exactly the same username/password as your Ubuntu user and login as that user
7. Go to "\\server_ip\share_name" where "server_ip" is the IP address of your Ubuntu box and "share_name_ is the name of the share you created

Works for me. You may have to restart the Ubuntu box, or manually start the SMB service before it all comes together.

I'm ready to throw this Ubuntu machine out the window. Everything that has been suggested here will not work if I'm trying to access the server from another machine! There has to be a solution to this! I am ready to do an 'Office Space' on my whole network! I've been at this for 3 friggin' weeks now!

[D'rok]

I'm ready to throw this Ubuntu machine out the window. Everything that has been suggested here will not work if I'm trying to access the server from another machine! There has to be a solution to this! I am ready to do an 'Office Space' on my whole network! I've been at this for 3 friggin' weeks now!
I'm typing this on my Vista laptop while working on a document stored on my Ubuntu desktop. Something is seriously broken on your network.

[dc1971]

I'm typing this on my Vista laptop while working on a document stored on my Ubuntu desktop. Something is seriously broken on your network.

I'm using Windows 7.

[Arthur Denton]

I'd use debian as file server due to the extra support and better documentation.

[The_Fire]

With Ubuntu, I think the key is forgetting you're on Linux. Stay away from Samba guides and third-party admin apps. Just go ahead and do it the easy way. What's wrong with doing this:

1. Right-click on a folder and choose "Sharing Options"
2. Let Samba auto-install if prompted
3. Check "Share this folder"
4. Check "Allow other people to write in this folder"
5. Click "Create share"
6. Go to another machine (Windows or MacOS) and create a user with exactly the same username/password as your Ubuntu user and login as that user
7. Go to "\\server_ip\share_name" where "server_ip" is the IP address of your Ubuntu box and "share_name_ is the name of the share you created

Works for me. You may have to restart the Ubuntu box, or manually start the SMB service before it all comes together.

Been there, done that, got the t-shirt......still not working.....

[The_Fire]

I can help. can you PM me with some details? We can discuss your config options if you like.


Sorry, didn't see this untill now. I'll pm you the details when I get home.

[dc1971]

Sorry, didn't see this untill now. I'll pm you the details when I get home.

Can you PM me too?