Samba is the first choice for transferring files between Windows and Linux machines. These are the most common use cases for Samba:
In the easiest case you do not have to configure a Linux server. Use the smb:/ scheme. For more information, see Accessing Shares with KDE and GNOME. Make sure that your workgroup is identical on both systems and that your directories are shared.
Configure a Samba server on your Linux computer. See Setting Up a Samba Server.
HINT: Using Default Registry Entries for Your Windows System
Some Windows versions (95, 98) require a small change in the registry for enabling a different password authentication method. Simplify this step by installing the samba-doc package and copy the file /usr/share/doc/packages/samba/registry to your Windows drive. Start Windows and incorporate the changes by double-clicking on this file.
To set up a Samba server, do the following:
Prepare the Samba server:
Start YaST as root.
Install the samba package.
Create a directory, for example, /srv/share.
Create the server configuration:
Select
.Select one of the workgroups or enter a new one, for example, Penguin.
Check
Set
if the Samba service should be started every time your computer boots. Otherwise set .Activate
if you use a firewall.Create your Windows share:
Change to the
tab and click .Select your path, for example, /src/share.
Proceed with
.Activate
.Provide a password for all users that are allowed to use this service:
smbpasswd -a tux
For easier configuration, just hit Enter to leave the password empty. Take into account that the usernames on your Windows and Linux computers are probably different. Configuring a consistent user base for both Windows and Linux is beyond the scope of this document.
Start the Samba server:
rcnmb start rcsmb start
To check if everything has been successfully configured, enter:
smbclient -L localhost
After you hit Enter, you should get something like the following:
Anonymous login successful Domain=[PENGUIN] OS=[Unix] Server=[Samba 3.0.22-11-SUSE-CODE10] Sharename Type Comment --------- ---- ------- share Disk Shared directory netlogon Disk Network Logon Service IPC$ IPC IPC Service (Samba 3.0.22-11-SUSE-CODE10) ADMIN$ IPC IPC Service (Samba 3.0.22-11-SUSE-CODE10) Anonymous login successful Domain=[PENGUIN] OS=[Unix] Server=[Samba 3.0.22-11-SUSE-CODE10] Server Comment --------- ------- SUSE-DESKTOP Samba 3.0.22-11-SUSE-CODE10 Workgroup Master --------- ------- TUX-NET jupiter