Q. Can you connect a Linux server to a Windows server 2003 or Windows server 2008 for sharing files and printer? Can you access files stored on Windows server from Linux server?
A. Short answer - yes.
Long answer - Windows operating system uses Server Message Block (SMB) application-level network protocol (also known as CIFS). It is mainly used to provide:
- Shared access to files
- Printers
- Serial ports
- Miscellaneous communications between nodes on a network.
In order to communicate with a Windows server you need special software on a Linux (UNIX) called Samba, which provides following services:
- File and print services for various Microsoft Windows clients
- Can integrate with a Windows Server domain, either as a Primary Domain Controller (PDC) or as a domain member
- Can be part of an Active Directory domain
- Access file stored on Windows
- Access shared windows printer and so on
Samba program is by default included in many Linux distributions. Discussion releated to samba installation and configuration is beyond the scope of this FAQ section. I recommend following resources:
- Download samba program
- The Official Samba 3.2.x HOWTO and Reference Guide
- Linux Samba configuration tutorial / documentations
- Recommend Samba book about integrating samba with Windows
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- Last Updated: 8-5-08
{ 1 comment… read it below or add one }
like this site,but for this piece of work i would say no….the title is really attractive but the content does piss me off
plz….if possible
give an step by step how to
like how to inject the linux in the domain
how to set up a samba share in a windows domain
regards