FreeBSD / Linux: Sending a Message to Windows Workstation With smbclient Command

Posted on in Categories FreeBSD, Linux, UNIX last updated February 23, 2005

You can use a utility called smbclient (part of samba server) to send a message to windows system from FreeBSD or from Linux/Solaris/UNIX OS. This command lets you send messages to windows workstations, display browse lists, and connect to SMB shares. The syntax is as follows to send message:

smbclient -M <WINDOW-SYSTEM-NAME> <<EOF
Message
Message
…
..
…
When the message is complete, press Control-D.

smbclient is a client that can ‘talk’ to an SMB/CIFS server. It offers an interface similar to that of the ftp program, Operations include things like getting files from the server to the local machine, putting files from the local machine to the server, retrieving directory information from the server and so on.

Sending message to Windows system from Linux/ FreeBSD

To send a message “Meeting canceled” to windows system called joyxp, type:
$ smbclient -M joyxp <<EOF
Output:

Meeting canceled
See you at coffee house in 2 hrs.
--nixCraft Sys Admin
EOF

Pass the –U option to specify the username:
$ smbclient -M myxp -U Your-User-Name-Here <<EOF
Meeting cancelled
See you at coffee house in 2 hrs.
EOF

This tip also works with Linux and other UNIX variant with Samba client utilities package. Read man page of smbclient for more information:
man smbclient

Posted by: Vivek Gite

The author is the creator of nixCraft and a seasoned sysadmin and a trainer for the Linux operating system/Unix shell scripting. He has worked with global clients and in various industries, including IT, education, defense and space research, and the nonprofit sector. Follow him on Twitter, Facebook, Google+.

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11 comment

  1. smbclient -M machine1 <<EOF

    I tried the given command & syntax but received an error message “Connection to machine1 failed”

    Please suggest ..

    Regards,
    Manish

  3. Hi,

    Actually the problem was at widow client machine’s end. The Firewall was on.

    I switched off firewall (diabled) and it started working normally.

    Thank you for your suggestions.

    Regards,
    Manish

  5. The messenger service is a big security hole in windows and its normally turned off now days.
    If your gonna turn this back on, make sure your hosts are well protected.

  6. I have turned off the firewall also. I am getting session request failed.
    r there any changes to be made in smb.conf file???

  8. I have turned off the firewall also. I am getting session request failed.
    r there any changes to be made in smb.conf file???

  9. use netbios name of computer instead of IP
    i have such error when using IP, but with netname – all working

  10. I tried the given command & syntax but received an error message
    > bash: warning: here-document at line 21 delimited by end-of-file (wanted `EOF’)
    Enter root’s password:
    Connection to 192.168.100.10 failed. Error NT_STATUS_UNSUCCESSFUL

    Please HELP

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