From ad0e01e75059bedde6400529f1a5193ef9735e9b Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: Gerald Carter Date: Fri, 25 Oct 2002 15:15:32 +0000 Subject: sync from HEAD (This used to be commit 2eb7f0acd761a11bb0f24010347247074c5ed49a) --- docs/faq/Samba-meta-FAQ-2.html | 384 ----------------------------------------- 1 file changed, 384 deletions(-) delete mode 100644 docs/faq/Samba-meta-FAQ-2.html (limited to 'docs/faq/Samba-meta-FAQ-2.html') diff --git a/docs/faq/Samba-meta-FAQ-2.html b/docs/faq/Samba-meta-FAQ-2.html deleted file mode 100644 index 1e36332d42..0000000000 --- a/docs/faq/Samba-meta-FAQ-2.html +++ /dev/null @@ -1,384 +0,0 @@ - - - Samba meta FAQ: General Information - - -Previous -Next -Table of Contents -
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2. General Information

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All about Samba - what it is, how to get it, related sources of -information, how to understand the numbering scheme, pizza -details.

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2.1 What is Samba?

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Samba is a suite of programs which work together to allow clients to -access to a server's filespace and printers via the SMB (Server Message -Block) and CIFS (Common Internet Filesystem) protocols. Initially -written for Unix, Samba now also runs on Netware, OS/2, VMS, StratOS and -Amigas. Ports to BeOS and other operating systems are underway. Samba -gives the capability for these operating systems to behave much like a -LAN Server, Windows NT Server or Pathworks machine, only with added -functionality and flexibility designed to make life easier for -administrators.

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This means that using Samba you can share a server's disks and printers -to many sorts of network clients, including Lan Manager, Windows for -Workgroups, Windows NT, Linux, OS/2, and AIX. There is also a generic -client program supplied as part of the Samba suite which gives a user on -the server an ftp-like interface to access filespace and printers on any -other SMB/CIFS servers.

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SMB has been implemented over many protocols, including XNS, NBT, IPX, -NetBEUI and TCP/IP. Samba only uses TCP/IP. This is not likely to change -although there have been some requests for NetBEUI support.

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Many users report that compared to other SMB implementations Samba is -more stable, faster, and compatible with more clients. Administrators of -some large installations say that Samba is the only SMB server available -which will scale to many tens of thousands of users without crashing. -The easy way to test these claims is to download it and try it for -yourself!

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The suite is supplied with full source code under the -GNU Public License. The GPL means that you can -use Samba for whatever purpose you wish (including changing the source -or selling it for money) but under all circumstances the source code -must be made freely available. A copy of the GPL must always be included -in any copy of the package.

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The primary creator of the Samba suite is Andrew Tridgell. Later -versions incorporate much effort by many net.helpers. The man pages -and this FAQ were originally written by Karl Auer.

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2.2 What is the current version of Samba?

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At time of writing, the current version was 1.9.17. If you want to be -sure check the bottom of the change-log file. -ftp://samba.org/pub/samba/alpha/change-log

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For more information see -What do the version numbers mean?

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2.3 Where can I get it?

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The Samba suite is available via anonymous ftp from samba.org and -many -mirror sites. You will get much -faster performance if you use a mirror site. The latest and greatest -versions of the suite are in the directory:

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/pub/samba/

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Development (read "alpha") versions, which are NOT necessarily stable -and which do NOT necessarily have accurate documentation, are available -in the directory:

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/pub/samba/alpha

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Note that binaries are NOT included in any of the above. Samba is -distributed ONLY in source form, though binaries may be available from -other sites. Most Linux distributions, for example, do contain Samba -binaries for that platform. The VMS, OS/2, Netware and Amiga and other -ports typically have binaries made available.

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A special case is vendor-provided binary packages. Samba binaries and -default configuration files are put into packages for a specific -operating system. RedHat Linux and Sun Solaris (Sparc and x86) is -already included, and others such as OS/2 may follow. All packages are -in the directory:

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/pub/samba/Binary_Packages/"OS_Vendor"

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2.4 What do the version numbers mean?

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It is not recommended that you run a version of Samba with the word -"alpha" in its name unless you know what you are doing and are willing -to do some debugging. Many, many people just get the latest -recommended stable release version and are happy. If you are brave, by -all means take the plunge and help with the testing and development - -but don't install it on your departmental server. Samba is typically -very stable and safe, and this is mostly due to the policy of many -public releases.

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How the scheme works:

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  1. When major changes are made the version number is increased. For -example, the transition from 1.9.16 to 1.9.17. However, this version -number will not appear immediately and people should continue to use -1.9.15 for production systems (see next point.) -
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  2. Just after major changes are made the software is considered -unstable, and a series of alpha releases are distributed, for example -1.9.16alpha1. These are for testing by those who know what they are -doing. The "alpha" in the filename will hopefully scare off those who -are just looking for the latest version to install. -
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  3. When Andrew thinks that the alphas have stabilised to the point -where he would recommend new users install it, he renames it to the -same version number without the alpha, for example 1.9.17. -
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  4. Inevitably bugs are found in the "stable" releases and minor patch -levels are released which give us the pXX series, for example 1.9.17p2. -
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So the progression goes:

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-                1.9.16p10       (production)
-                1.9.16p11       (production)
-                1.9.17alpha1    (test sites only)
-                  :
-                1.9.17alpha20   (test sites only)
-                1.9.17          (production)
-                1.9.17p1        (production)
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The above system means that whenever someone looks at the samba ftp -site they will be able to grab the highest numbered release without an -alpha in the name and be sure of getting the current recommended -version.

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2.5 Where can I go for further information?

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There are a number of places to look for more information on Samba, -including:

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2.6 How do I subscribe to the Samba Mailing Lists?

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Send email to -listproc@samba.org. Make sure the subject line is blank, -and include the following two lines in the body of the message:

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-subscribe samba Firstname Lastname
-subscribe samba-announce Firstname Lastname
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Obviously you should substitute YOUR first name for "Firstname" and -YOUR last name for "Lastname"! Try not to send any signature, it -sometimes confuses the list processor.

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The samba list is a digest list - every eight hours or so it sends a -single message containing all the messages that have been received by -the list since the last time and sends a copy of this message to all -subscribers. There are thousands of people on this list.

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If you stop being interested in Samba, please send another email to -listproc@samba.org. Make sure the subject line is blank, and -include the following two lines in the body of the message:

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-unsubscribe samba
-unsubscribe samba-announce
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The From: line in your message MUST be the same -address you used when you subscribed.

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2.7 Something's gone wrong - what should I do?

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# *** IMPORTANT! *** #

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DO NOT post messages on mailing lists or in newsgroups until you have -carried out the first three steps given here!

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  1. See if there are any likely looking entries in this FAQ! -If you have just installed Samba, have you run through the checklist in -DIAGNOSIS.txt? It can save you a lot of time and effort. -DIAGNOSIS.txt can also be found in the docs directory of the Samba -distribution. -
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  2. Read the man pages for smbd, nmbd and smb.conf, looking for -topics that relate to what you are trying to do. -
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  3. If there is no obvious solution to hand, try to get a look at -the log files for smbd and/or nmbd for the period during which you -were having problems. You may need to reconfigure the servers to -provide more extensive debugging information - usually level 2 or -level 3 provide ample debugging info. Inspect these logs closely, -looking particularly for the string "Error:". -
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  4. If you need urgent help and are willing to pay for it see -Paid Support. -
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If you still haven't got anywhere, ask the mailing list or newsgroup. In -general nobody minds answering questions provided you have followed the -preceding steps. It might be a good idea to scan the archives of the -mailing list, which are available through the Samba web site described -in the previous section. When you post be sure to include a good -description of your environment and your problem.

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If you successfully solve a problem, please mail the FAQ maintainer a -succinct description of the symptom, the problem and the solution, so -that an explanation can be incorporated into the next version.

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2.8 How do I submit patches or bug reports?

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If you make changes to the source code, please submit these patches -so that everyone else gets the benefit of your work. This is one of -the most important aspects to the maintainence of Samba. Send all -patches to -samba@samba.org. Do not send patches to Andrew Tridgell or any -other individual, they may be lost if you do.

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Patch format -------------

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If you are sending a patch to fix a problem then please don't just use -standard diff format. As an example, samba@samba.org received this patch from -someone:

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382a -#endif -.. -381a -#if !defined(NEWS61)

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How are we supposed to work out what this does and where it goes? These -sort of patches only work if we both have identical files in the first -place. The Samba sources are constantly changing at the hands of multiple -developers, so it doesn't work.

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Please use either context diffs or (even better) unified diffs. You -get these using "diff -c4" or "diff -u". If you don't have a diff that -can generate these then please send manualy commented patches to I -know what is being changed and where. Most patches are applied by hand so -the info must be clear.

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This is a basic guideline that will assist us with assessing your problem -more efficiently :

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Machine Arch: -Machine OS: -OS Version: -Kernel:

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Compiler: -Libc Version:

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Samba Version:

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Network Layout (description):

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What else is on machine (services, etc):

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Some extras :

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2.9 What if I have an URGENT message for the developers?

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If you have spotted something very serious and believe that it is -important to contact the developers quickly send a message to -samba-urgent@samba.org. This will be processed more quickly than -mail to samba@samba.org. Please think carefully before using this address. An -example of its use might be to report a security hole.

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Examples of things not to send to samba-urgent include problems -getting Samba to work at all and bugs that cannot potentially cause damage.

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2.10 What if I need paid-for support?

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Samba has a large network of consultants who provide Samba support on a -commercial basis. The list is included in the package in -../Support.txt, and the latest version will always be on the main -samba ftp site. Any company in the world can request that the samba team -include their details in Support.txt so we can give no guarantee of -their services.

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2.11 Pizza supply details

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- - -Those who have registered in the Samba survey as "Pizza Factory" will -already know this, but the rest may need some help. Andrew doesn't ask -for payment, but he does appreciate it when people give him -pizza. This calls for a little organisation when the pizza donor is -twenty thousand kilometres away, but it has been done.

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  1. Ring up your local branch of an international pizza chain -and see if they honour their vouchers internationally. Pizza Hut do, -which is how the entire Canberra Linux Users Group got to eat pizza -one night, courtesy of someone in the US. -
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  2. Ring up a local pizza shop in Canberra and quote a credit -card number for a certain amount, and tell them that Andrew will be -collecting it (don't forget to tell him.) One kind soul from Germany -did this. -
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  3. Purchase a pizza voucher from your local pizza shop that has -no international affiliations and send it to Andrew. It is completely -useless but he can hang it on the wall next to the one he already has -from Germany :-) -
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  4. Air freight him a pizza with your favourite regional -flavours. It will probably get stuck in customs or torn apart by -hungry sniffer dogs but it will have been a noble gesture. -
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