Samba Essentials for Windows Administrators [Paperback]

Gary Wilson (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0130409421 | ISBN-13: 978-0130409423 | Publication Date: August 6, 2001 | Edition: 1

Using Samba for Windows client file and print sharing can dramatically improve the reliability and cost-effectiveness of virtually any network -- but most Samba documentation is written for UNIX/Linux experts, not the Windows administrators who need it most. In this book, an expert Windows sysadmin walks step-by-step through Samba deployment, configuration, and management, showing Windows professionals exactly what they need to know to achieve optimal results -- with the fewest possible problems. Gary Wilson begins with a step-by-step guide to installing and configuring Samba on a Linux server -- presenting both an "easy" approach and one that allows for virtually unlimited customization. Walk through preparing Windows computers to connect to your Samba server; managing file services using the Web-based SWAT tool; and understanding the key concepts that make Samba print services seem more complicated than they really are. The book reviews basic Linux system administration techniques Samba users should know, as well as advanced Samba techniques for providing fax services, creating virtual file servers, using Samba as a primary domain controller on a Windows network, and maximizing security in both the LAN and WAN. Throughout, Wilson introduces essential Samba and Linux terms and concepts from the Windows perspective, and presents dozens of expert tips and troubleshooting solutions based on his extensive experience managing Samba networks.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

Save money while improving reliability and performance! Samba makes a Linux server work like a Windows server on a Windows network. This is the step-by-step Samba guide for everyone who manages Windows networks!

*Deploy Samba file and print services—step by step!
*Choose your configuration: "easy" or "100% customizable!"
*Save money and improve network reliability!
*Includes advanced techniques: PDCs, security, WANs, fax, and more
*No Linux/UNIX knowledge required!

Using Samba for file and print sharing can save you a fortune—and it can dramatically improve your network's reliability and performance! But most Samba documentation is written for UNIX/Linux experts—not the Windows administrators who need it most. In this book, expert Windows sysadmin Gary Wilson walks you step by step through Samba planning, deployment, configuration, and management, showing Windows users exactly how to achieve the best results with the fewest problems.

*Choose your approach—"easy" or "totally customizable!" *Learn basic Linux administration from a Windows user's point of view *Use Samba as a Primary Domain Controller and replace expensive Windows NT/2000 Servers! *Manage file services using the Web-based SWAT tool *Maximize security in both LAN and WAN environments *Provide fax services for your entire organization *Contains expert tips and troubleshooting guidance throughout!

Finally, someone's explained Samba so Windows administrators can

From the Back Cover

Save money while improving reliability and performance! The step-by-step Samba guide for everyone who manages Windows networks!

• Deploy Samba file and print services—step by step!
• Choose your configuration: "easy" or "100% customizable!"
• Save money and improve network reliability!
• Includes advanced techniques: PDCs, security, WANs, fax, and more
• No Linux/UNIX knowledge required!

Using Samba for file and print sharing can save you a fortune—and it can dramatically improve your network's reliability and performance! But most Samba documentation is written for UNIX/Linux experts—not the Windows administrators who need it most. In this book, expert Windows sysadmin Gary Wilson walks you step by step through Samba planning, deployment, configuration, and management, showing Windows users exactly how to achieve the best results with the fewest problems.

• Choose your approach—"easy" or "totally customizable!"
• Learn basic Linux administration from a Windows user's point of view
• Use Samba as a Primary Domain Controller and replace expensive Windows NT/2000 Servers!
• Manage file services using the Web-based SWAT tool
• Maximize security in both LAN and WAN environments
• Provide fax services for your entire organization
• Contains expert tips and troubleshooting guidance throughout!

Finally, someone's explained Samba so Windows administrators can understand it—and use it!

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 368 pages
• Publisher: Prentice Hall; 1 edition (August 6, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0130409421
• ISBN-13: 978-0130409423
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 7 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,941,099 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best Samba book for beginners, October 10, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Samba Essentials for Windows Administrators (Paperback)

I was rather impressed by this book. I know Windows networking, but I want to learn Samba. It is definitely the future of networking. It does Windows networking without all the fees and licensing hassles, which will get even worse with XP. Anyway, I had started setting up a Samba server and had one of the other books on the market. It was a good one and not just one that lists all of the options without any further explanation. But even the best book I had found still assumed that I understood Unix. So I was having trouble. This book is really different. It makes everything understandable, not in a simple-minded "dummies" way, but in a technically proficient way so that you can understand what it means, no matter what your background. If you are going to buy a book on Samba, this is the one to start with. By the way, it doesn't say on the cover (or on Amazon for that matter), but the book covers Samba version 2.2.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Good for IT Tech who like to use the Web Admin Approach, July 25, 2002

By 

Joseph W. Henderson (Lexington, KY United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Samba Essentials for Windows Administrators (Paperback)

Only a 3. This book has some interesting topics about it, most has to do with Administering a Samba Server from the Web. Not from a Prompt. I was looking for more of a "Tricks of the Trade" kind of book. But this one does have some good points to it about web administering. But, what happens when the web is broke?
You are going to SSH into the box and fix it from a prompt not from a Web Page. Otherwise this book IS GOOD but not GREAT!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Best Samba Book So Far, February 28, 2002

By 

Mark Frandson (Denver, CO) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Samba Essentials for Windows Administrators (Paperback)

Kudos to Gary Wilson!

This is by far the most concise and useful guide to setting up and managing a samba server that I have read so far.

The author's focus on using Webmin... as the practical way to remotely manage your samba server from any desktop pc with a web browser is excellent. Your linux /samba box becomes a transparent fileserving appliance. It looks just like another windows server, yet is much more flexibly managed thru the webmin utility.

Excellent tips on tuning samba shares for a particular use: like shared MS Access databases, and shares only accessible by a distinct group of users.

His chapter on optimization will satisfy your "geek" urge to tweak the last bit of performance from your linux / samba box.

Tips on compiling and installing the latest samba release were very useful and -- more importantly -- they worked!

Overall -- an organized, well-researched, highly readable book... buy it!