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

Tim Holloway timothyjholloway at gmail.com
Wed Jul 30 20:33:06 CDT 2008 

you know what it was, everyone? i didn't set open permissions on the parent
directory!!

darn!

i'm backing up everything now (to a more familiar kubuntu), and will be
switching back to CentOS here, eventually.

thank you all for letting me fill you inboxes again with my concerns. it
seems experience, falling on my face, and a merciful employer are key to
learning the ropes... but i will be a great teacher, one day.

and thank you so much, bill, for your attention and help. i would have given
up a lot sooner if it hadn't been for you.

cheers,

tim



On Mon, Jul 28, 2008 at 10:41 PM, Tim Holloway
<timothyjholloway at gmail.com>wrote:

> 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
>



-- 
;t;j;h

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