<samba:parameter name="root directory" context="G" type="string" advanced="1" developer="1" xmlns:samba="http://samba.org/common"> <synonym>root</synonym> <synonym>root dir</synonym> <description> <para>The server will <command moreinfo="none">chroot()</command> (i.e. Change its root directory) to this directory on startup. This is not strictly necessary for secure operation. Even without it the server will deny access to files not in one of the service entries. It may also check for, and deny access to, soft links to other parts of the filesystem, or attempts to use ".." in file names to access other directories (depending on the setting of the <link linkend="WIDELINKS"> <parameter moreinfo="none">wide links</parameter></link> parameter). </para> <para>Adding a <parameter moreinfo="none">root directory</parameter> entry other than "/" adds an extra level of security, but at a price. It absolutely ensures that no access is given to files not in the sub-tree specified in the <parameter moreinfo="none">root directory</parameter> option, <emphasis>including</emphasis> some files needed for complete operation of the server. To maintain full operability of the server you will need to mirror some system files into the <parameter moreinfo="none">root directory</parameter> tree. In particular you will need to mirror <filename moreinfo="none">/etc/passwd</filename> (or a subset of it), and any binaries or configuration files needed for printing (if required). The set of files that must be mirrored is operating system dependent.</para> </description> <value type="default">/</value> <value type="example">/homes/smb</value> </samba:parameter>