[Discuss] network admin (in-progress) needs help

Tim Holloway timothyjholloway at gmail.com
Tue Jul 29 00:41:03 CDT 2008 

thanks for the questions. i think they may be even more helpful than
answers, at this point.

i will definitely investigate more thoroughly, tomorrow.

have a good night and a good morning, bill.

tim

ps: i believe this server is only a file server. it offers no more
"services" than any other computer on the network, as they are all
available, file-wise, to each other. and this file server is connected the
same way the windows computer next to it is.

i will (at last) utilize the almighty ping (!)


On Mon, Jul 28, 2008 at 10:10 PM, Bill Leuze <billeuze at shaw.ca> wrote:

> Hey Tim
>
> Accessing from an outside IP address is another story altogether - yes
> check what routers allow. But there is no need to look at routers if the
> computer right there plugged into the same network as the server can't
> access it. You'll have to start with the local computers. Have you confirmed
> that it is on the same network - can you ping it?. What IP address does this
> compaq have? Are there any other servers on the network? does this Dell run
> any other services that are required for the network (like DHCP)? If not, is
> there a DHCP server on the network (the router maybe) or are all
> workstations running static IPs? if all static are you sure your new compaq
> doesn't have same address as another on the network?
>
> Just a few of the first questions that come to mind.
>
> Bill
>
> At 05:34 PM 2008-07-28, you wrote:
> >hi bill.
> >
> >thanks for all your help.
> >
> >unfortunately, after doing everything you suggested and double- (even
> >triple-) checking it, this compaq still doesn't come up the way it should.
> >
> >i'm going to investigate the models of routers/hubs and see if something
> is
> >simply blocking outside ip addresses.
> >
> >strangely, COMPAQ_SRV has come up when i replace the dell file server with
> >the compaq, yet the windows computer right beside it (which i've been told
> >has NOTHING to do with the server and is like any other computer on the
> >network) can't access it.
> >
> >a pop-up message comes up and tells me so... unfortunately, in my haste to
> >get the job done as quickly as possible, i didn't write the entire thing
> >down.
> >
> >but i thank you for your help all the more.
> >
> >if i can't solve this myself, i'll record all the steps i've taken and
> take
> >the analytical approach, breaking down the problem as much as possible so
> >someone more experienced won't waste a lot of time.
> >
> >thanks again, bill.
> >
> >cheers,
> >
> >tim
> >
> >
> >
> >On Thu, Jul 24, 2008 at 5:06 PM, Bill Leuze <billeuze at shaw.ca> wrote:
> >
> >> Hi tim
> >>
> >> I'm back home for a brief moment
> >>
> >> I see in your Dell config is quite different than the compaq.So if you
> >> want to just drop in the Compaq as a replacement, it'd probably work
> >> better to configure it the same. Just save your compaq config with a
> >> different name, then copy this dell config over to the  compaq (but
> >> change the netbios name to something else while the 2 are running at the
> >> same time). Once you've tested and confirmed it's working, you can shut
> >> down the dell, change the compaq netbios name to dell_srv, restart samba
> >> and your users won't know that anything has changed.
> >>
> >> with this config you won't have to worry about user accounts and
> >> passwords, you've got it set to guest access and permissions to 777,
> >> it's wide open - anyone can use the one share that is setup.
> >>
> >> Probably,  The only thing else to make sure of is that on your compaq,
> >> you have a directory (or symbolic link pointing to some other
> >> directory) /server/lewkowich/ and that in that directory you have
> >> everything that is in that directory on the dell. Also, just to be sure,
> >> check what the owner and permissions are in /server/lewkowich/ of the
> >> dell machine and make it the same in the compaq (or just set it to 777
> >> since that seems to be what's happening there - note, I am not
> >> recommending wide open permissions as a final solution. but if you just
> >> want it get it working the same as always before ...)
> >>
> >> Bill
> >>
> >>
> >> On Thu, 2008-07-24 at 08:45 -0700, Tim Holloway wrote:
> >>
> >> > thank YOU, bill.
> >> >
> >> > here is a (much simpler) smb.conf from the Dell server:
> >> >
> >> >
> >> > [global]
> >> >     workgroup = geotech
> >> >     server string = DELL
> >> >     netbios name = dell_srv
> >> >     restrict anonymous = no
> >> >     security = SHARE
> >> >     password server = None
> >> >     socket options = TCP_NODELAY
> >> >
> >> > [lewkowich]
> >> >     path = /server/lewkowich/
> >> >     guest ok = yes
> >> >     writeable = yes
> >> >     case sensitive = no
> >> >     msdfs proxy = no
> >> >     force user = nobody
> >> >     force group = nobody
> >> >     force directory mode = 0777
> >> >     force create mode = 0777
> >> >
> >> >
> >> >
> >> > ;[global]
> >> > ;    workgroup = GEOTECH
> >> > ;    server string = DELL
> >> > ;    netbios name = dell_srv
> >> > ;    restrict anonymous = no
> >> > ;    username map = /etc/samba/smbusers
> >> > ;    password server = None
> >> > ;    guest ok = yes
> >> >
> >> > ;[lewkowich]
> >> > ;    path = /server/lewkowich
> >> > ;    writeable = yes
> >> > ;    guest ok = yes
> >> >
> >> >
> >> >
> >> > see how simple this file is? argh! and it's mostly commented out!
> >> >
> >> > i hope it works for me.
> >> >
> >> > tim
> >> >
> >> >
> >> > On 7/23/08, Bill Leuze <billeuze at shaw.ca> wrote:
> >> > >
> >> > > Thanks Tim
> >> > >
> >> > > we'd need to see your smb.conf from the dell server too to see what
> it
> >> > > is you are trying to do with the compaq.
> >> > >
> >> > > I'd venture a guess though as to what is going on with your
> duplicate
> >> > > name problem: The Samba server will announce itself as what is
> listed
> >> as
> >> > > the 'netbios name' in your smb.conf. Your 'netbios name' entry is
> >> > > commented out (which is probably why it announces itself as
> >> 'localhost'.
> >> > > And assuming that the Dell config is the same, then sure, they are
> both
> >> > > announcing themselves as 'localhost'. I'd suggest uncomenting and
> >> > > setting   netbios name = Compaq. (the server string entry is what
> shows
> >> > > up in the comments column in the windows network neighbourhood
> browser
> >> -
> >> > > put something descriptive here like "geotech file server").
> >> > >
> >> > > Of course after editing the smb.conf you have restart the smbd and
> nmbd
> >> > > services for it to take effect. I don't how it's done on CentOS. on
> my
> >> > > system, its:
> >> > >     /etc/init.d/samba restart
> >> > >
> >> > > Good luck. I hope someone else is tuned in tomorrow when you're
> trying
> >> > > again, I'll be gone all morning
> >> > >
> >> > > Bill
> >> > >
> >> > >
> >> > >
> >> > > On Wed, 2008-07-23 at 19:04 -0700, Tim Holloway wrote:
> >> > >
> >> > > > thanks for your patience, bill.
> >> > > >
> >> > > > here is what i copied from smb.conf:
> >> > > >
> >> > > > #======================= Global Settings
> >> > > > =====================================
> >> > > >
> >> > > > [
> >> > > >
> >> > > >
> >> > >
> >> > > > i actually got this windows xp box to recognize "COMPAQ
> (Localhost)"
> >> > > among
> >> > > > the names of workstations on the network, but i get a message
> saying
> >> that
> >> > > > //Localhost is not accessible, you might not have permission, then
> >> "You
> >> > > were
> >> > > > not connected because a duplicate name exists on the network"; go
> to
> >> > > system
> >> > > > in control panel to change the computer name then try again.
> >> > > >
> >> > > > of course, when i do so on this particular computer, (the windows
> box
> >> > > next
> >> > > > to the temporary COMPAQ server), i'm allowed to rename the windows
> >> > > > computer....
> >> > > >
> >> > > > anyway, i think i'm giving up for today. too much coffee... can't
> >> think
> >> > > > straight.
> >> > > >
> >> > > >
> >> > > > thanks for your attention, though. i appreciate it. will try again
> >> > > tomorrow.
> >> > > >
> >> > > > cheers,
> >> > > >
> >> > > > tim
> >> > > >
> >> > > >
> >> > > >
> >> > > > On Wed, Jul 23, 2008 at 6:16 PM, Bill Leuze <billeuze at shaw.ca>
> >> wrote:
> >> > > >
> >> > > > > Tim
> >> > > > >
> >> > > > > How about you post the /etc/samba/smb.conf files of the old dell
> >> and of
> >> > > the
> >> > > > > new compaq for us to look at
> >> > > > >
> >> > > > > And I'm assuming that the directories you are sharing with the
> dell
> >> > > samba
> >> > > > > server also exist on the compaq server with the same path and
> the
> >> same
> >> > > > > permissions.
> >> > > > >
> >> > > > > Lets start with the smb.conf to see what is your config
> >> > > > >
> >> > > > > Bill
> >> > > > >
> >> > > > > At 05:11 PM 2008-07-23, you wrote:
> >> > > > > >oh, and the real issue, of course, is that, even though i've
> set
> >> up
> >> > > > > >everything besides the users, the share isn't appearing on the
> >> > > network...
> >> > > > > >however, the workgroup, when i'd labeled it differently, DID
> >> appear on
> >> > > the
> >> > > > > >windows box by the server... but when i clicked on it, i got
> >> nowhere.
> >> > > > > >
> >> > > > > >cheers.
> >> > > > > >
> >> > > > > >On Wed, Jul 23, 2008 at 5:08 PM, Tim Holloway <
> >> > > timothyjholloway at gmail.com
> >> > > > > >
> >> > > > > >wrote:
> >> > > > > >
> >> > > > > >> hi bill.
> >> > > > > >>
> >> > > > > >> the server i'm going to temporarily replace works fine. it's
> the
> >> > > dell.
> >> > > > > >>
> >> > > > > >> what i'm going to be doing in a few minutes is replacing it
> with
> >> a
> >> > > > > compaq
> >> > > > > >> on which i've installed centOS 5.2 (with gnome, kde, server,
> and
> >> the
> >> > > > > server
> >> > > > > >> - gui items added during install).
> >> > > > > >>
> >> > > > > >> i was hoping to get this compaq to appear on the network of
> xp
> >> boxes
> >> > > > > from
> >> > > > > >> where it is before switching the dell for it.
> >> > > > > >>
> >> > > > > >> it seems, according to an article in linuxquestions.org (
> >> > > > > >>
> >> > > > >
> >> > >
> >>
> http://www.linuxquestions.org/linux/answers/Networking/Samba_up_and_running_NOW
> >> > > > > )
> >> > > > > >> that i "*must* add users to your Samba server before they
> will
> >> be
> >> > > able
> >> > > > > to
> >> > > > > >> access the shares."
> >> > > > > >>
> >> > > > > >> unfortunately, when i try to add a same user as on the dell
> >> server
> >> > > to
> >> > > > > this
> >> > > > > >> compaq, i get a message that the user already exists.
> >> > > > > >>
> >> > > > > >> oo-kay. should i try to create a new user or two on the
> windows
> >> > > computer
> >> > > > > >> (the one right beside the dell server) so i can add it to
> samba?
> >> i'm
> >> > > > > >> assuming this is so that i can connect to the dell server
> (which
> >> is
> >> > > > > running
> >> > > > > >> white box linux, by the way).
> >> > > > > >>
> >> > > > > >> does anyone know what i'm talking about? i thought this would
> be
> >> > > > > (slightly)
> >> > > > > >> easier using the gui.
> >> > > > > >>
> >> > > > > >> thanks for the reply, bill.
> >> > > > > >>
> >> > > > > >> tim
> >> > > > > >>
> >> > > > > >>
> >> > > > > >>
> >> > > > > >>
> >> > > > > >>
> >> > > > > >>
> >> > > > > >>
> >> > > > > >> On Wed, Jul 23, 2008 at 4:42 PM, Bill Leuze <
> billeuze at shaw.ca>
> >> > > wrote:
> >> > > > > >>
> >> > > > > >>> Timm
> >> > > > > >>>
> >> > > > > >>> What exact problem are you having with the new server? Is it
> >> that
> >> > > your
> >> > > > > >>> windows workstations can't connect? what is the symptom?
> >> > > > > >>>
> >> > > > > >>> Bill
> >> > > > > >>>
> >> > > > > >>> At 04:25 PM 2008-07-23, Tim Holloway wrote:
> >> > > > > >>> >hello everyone!
> >> > > > > >>> >
> >> > > > > >>> >it's been quite a while since i've posted, and it's to ask
> for
> >> a
> >> > > > > favour.
> >> > > > > >>> >
> >> > > > > >>> >i'm trying to hook up a replacement server so i can work on
> >> the
> >> > > > > current
> >> > > > > >>> >server, basically to install larger hard drives.
> >> > > > > >>> >
> >> > > > > >>> >i don't especially think it makes a difference what machine
> >> i'm
> >> > > > > running
> >> > > > > >>> (a
> >> > > > > >>> >compaq amd 3000+ with 768 MB of ram) to replace the dell
> >> server.
> >> > > > > >>> >
> >> > > > > >>> >the server is running samba, but everything seems labeled
> and
> >> > > > > networked
> >> > > > > >>> >through windows.
> >> > > > > >>> >
> >> > > > > >>> >just over 20 windows xp workstations are hooked up to the
> >> network,
> >> > > and
> >> > > > > >>> >there's one particular xp box right next to the dell
> server.
> >> > > > > >>> >
> >> > > > > >>> >i've been trying to use the gui for samba, just so i can
> get
> >> > > things
> >> > > > > done,
> >> > > > > >>> >and i've been mimicking the configuration on the server,
> even
> >> the
> >> > > > > users
> >> > > > > >>> in
> >> > > > > >>> >windows.
> >> > > > > >>> >
> >> > > > > >>> >the compaq (replacement) computer is running centOS 5.2
> >> (stable),
> >> > > and
> >> > > > > >>> i've
> >> > > > > >>> >looked at the little help pages from redhat. i've also
> googled
> >> it
> >> > > (of
> >> > > > > >>> >course) but keep running into ways to share WINDOWS folders
> TO
> >> > > linux
> >> > > > > >>> instead
> >> > > > > >>> >of the other way around.
> >> > > > > >>> >
> >> > > > > >>> >if anyone has any clue what i'm talking about, please send
> >> > > something
> >> > > > > up.
> >> > > > > >>> >
> >> > > > > >>> >i'd better take a closer look at linuxquestions.org
> >> > > > > >>> >
> >> > > > > >>> >cheers,
> >> > > > > >>> >
> >> > > > > >>> >tim
> >> > > > > >>> >
> >> > > > > >>> >--
> >> > > > > >>> >;t;j;h
> >> > > > > >>> >_______________________________________________
> >> > > > > >>> >Discuss mailing list
> >> > > > > >>> >Discuss at nanlug.org
> >> > > > > >>> >http://lists.nanlug.org/mailman/listinfo/discuss
> >> > > > > >>>
> >> > > > > >>>
> >> > > > > >>> Bill Leuze
> >> > > > > >>> 947 Berry Pt.
> >> > > > > >>> Gabriola Island, BC
> >> > > > > >>> Canada, V0R 1X1
> >> > > > > >>>
> >> > > > > >>> _______________________________________________
> >> > > > > >>> Discuss mailing list
> >> > > > > >>> Discuss at nanlug.org
> >> > > > > >>> http://lists.nanlug.org/mailman/listinfo/discuss
> >> > > > > >>>
> >> > > > > >>
> >> > > > > >>
> >> > > > > >>
> >> > > > > >> --
> >> > > > > >> ;t;j;h
> >> > > > > >>
> >> > > > > >
> >> > > > > >
> >> > > > > >
> >> > > > > >--
> >> > > > > >;t;j;h
> >> > > > > >_______________________________________________
> >> > > > > >Discuss mailing list
> >> > > > > >Discuss at nanlug.org
> >> > > > > >http://lists.nanlug.org/mailman/listinfo/discuss
> >> > > > >
> >> > > > >
> >> > > > > Bill Leuze
> >> > > > > 947 Berry Pt.
> >> > > > > Gabriola Island, BC
> >> > > > > Canada, V0R 1X1
> >> > > > >
> >> > > > > _______________________________________________
> >> > > > > Discuss mailing list
> >> > > > > Discuss at nanlug.org
> >> > > > > http://lists.nanlug.org/mailman/listinfo/discuss
> >> > > > >
> >> > > >
> >> > > >
> >> > > >
> >> > >
> >> > > --
> >> > >
> >> > >
> >> > > Bill Leuze
> >> > > Gabriola Island, BC,
> >> > >
> >> > > _______________________________________________
> >> > > Discuss mailing list
> >> > > Discuss at nanlug.org
> >> > > http://lists.nanlug.org/mailman/listinfo/discuss
> >> > >
> >> >
> >> >
> >> >
> >>
> >> --
> >>
> >> Bill Leuze
> >> Gabriola Island, BC,
> >> _______________________________________________
> >> Discuss mailing list
> >> Discuss at nanlug.org
> >> http://lists.nanlug.org/mailman/listinfo/discuss
> >>
> >
> >
> >
> >--
> >;t;j;h
> >_______________________________________________
> >Discuss mailing list
> >Discuss at nanlug.org
> >http://lists.nanlug.org/mailman/listinfo/discuss
>
>
> Bill Leuze
> 947 Berry Pt.
> Gabriola Island, BC
> Canada, V0R 1X1
>
> _______________________________________________
> Discuss mailing list
> Discuss at nanlug.org
> http://lists.nanlug.org/mailman/listinfo/discuss
>



-- 
;t;j;h

More information about the Discuss mailing list