Windows, Linux, and Samba - PART 1(Introduction)

Samba is a suite of utilities that allows your Linux box to share files and other resources, such as printers, with Windows boxes. This chapter describes how you can make your Linux box into a Windows Primary Domain Controller (PDC) or a server for a Windows Workgroup. Either configuration will allow everyone at home to have:

• their own logins on all the home windows boxes while having their files on the Linux box appear to be located on a new Windows drive
• shared access to printers on the Linux box
• shared files accessible only to members of their Linux user group.

What's the difference between a PDC and Windows Workgroup member? A detailed description is beyond the scope of this chapter, but this simple explanation should be enough:

• A PDC stores the login information in a central database on its hard drive. This allows each user to have a universal username and password when logging in from all PCs on the network.
• In a Windows Workgroup, each PC stores the usernames and passwords locally so that they are unique for each PC.

This chapter will only cover the much more popular PDC methodology used at home. By default, Samba mimics a Windows PDC in almost every way needed for simple file sharing. Linux functionality doesn't disappear when you do this. Samba Domains and Linux share the same usernames so you can log into the Samba based Windows domain using your Linux password and immediately gain access to files in your Linux user's home directory. For added security you can make your Samba and Linux passwords different.

When it starts up, and with every client request, the Samba daemon reads the configuration file /etc/samba/smb.conf to determine its various modes of operation. You can create your own smb.conf using a text editor or the Web-based SWAT utility which is easier. Keep in mind, however, that if you create /etc/samba/smb.conf with a text editor then subsequently use SWAT to edit the file, you will lose all the comments you inserted with the text editor. I'll explain how to use both SWAT and a text editor to configure Samba later in this chapter.

Note: As your smb.conf is constantly being accessed, you're better off editing a copy of it if you decide not to use SWAT. 

Redhat linux installation steps with screenshot

What is Linux?

Linux is a Unix-like computer operating system. Linux is one of the most prominent examples of free software and open source development; typically all underlying source code can be freely modified, used, and redistributed by anyone.

The Linux kernel was first released to the public on 17 September 1991, for the Intel x86 PC architecture. The kernel was augmented with system utilities and libraries from the GNU project to create a usable operating system, which led to an alternative term, GNU/Linux. Linux is packaged for different uses in Linux distributions, which contain the sometimes modified
kernel along with a variety of other software packages tailored to different requirements.

Predominantly known for its use in servers, Linux is supported by corporations such as Dell, Hewlett-Packard, IBM, Novell, Oracle Corporation, Red Hat, and Sun Microsystems. It is used as an operating system for a wide variety of computer hardware, including desktop computers, supercomputers, video game systems, such as PlayStation 2, 3, several arcade games, and embedded devices, such as mobile phones and routers.

How to install Linux Redhat Enterprise?

Insert your linux cd 1 on the CD-ROM and let it booting.

Linux is booting…

Welcome to Red Hat Enterprise Linux screen.

Red Hat Enterprise Linux screen.

Click next to continue installation.

Select the appropriate keyboard for the system. Click next to continue installation.

This operation will override any previous installation choices about which drives to ignore. Click yes to first time install the operating system and it will erasing all data.

Use automatic partinioning for beginner and you might set your own size if you want. Click next.

The GRUB boot loader wil be installed on /dev/sda. Click next.

You may set the IP address on your on host. Let it be automatically via DHCP first. You may configure the IP address later.

Click next to get the default setting of firewall and it will allowed www(http) to passw through the firewall.

Select the default language for the system. Click next.

Please select the time zone selection.

Set the Root Password for the system.

The default installation environment includes recommended package selection as below pic.

Click next to begin installation.

Linux is installing.

Linux is installing disk 2.

Linux is installing disk 3.

Linux is installing disk 4

Linux is installing disk 1.

The video hardware can be automatically detected. Click next to continue.

The monitor can be automatically detected.

Customize your own graphical configuration. Please select your login type.

Congratulations, the installation is complete.

Next to continue some few configuration after installation.

Linux is restarting….

Linux is restarting……

Select to agree the license agreement.

Choose your date and time.

Create you personal user account. Please not to create same account as root!!!!!!!

A sound card has been detected on your computer.

You may register the product by selecting the option below.

You can install addition packages if you have the extras CDs.

Finish setup, and please click the ‘next’ button to continue.

Please enter your username and password.

Entering Linux……………..checking hardware………….

Here’s your Linux!!! Have Fun!!!!!

Photos from 1980 - 1983