What Is Samba Server Software?
Samba, a free, open-source software suite, allows Windows and Unix computers to network, transfer and share files and access printers and other services across different operating systems without cross-platform conflict.
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History
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Cross-platform file sharing began when Network Basic Input Output System (NetBIOS) was introduced as part of a system designed to create Local Area Networks (LANs). Microsoft built on this concept by adding the capability for disk information to be shared using NetBIOS. This protocol eventually became the Server Message Block (SMB) protocol, and is now called CIFS, the basis of the Samba system.
Features
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Two main programs make up the Samba system, "smbd" and "nmbd." Smbd, the SMB Daemon, handles the most used features of Samba, file and print sharing. It allows Windows computers to access files on a Unix computer, and vice versa. It also takes care of security and user authentication, allowing password-protected file sharing.
Nmbd handles name resolution and browsing. Name resolution lets computers easily find each other using their names instead of their ip addresses. It works like a phone book matching computer names to their network locations. Browsing allows computers to see what services are available to other machines, such as whether there are any shared drives or printers available.
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Utilities
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SmbClient, the most commonly used utility in Samba, has an FTP-like interface and can connect to remote Samba shared drives, send files to remote computers and send files to remote shared printers. The Samba Web Administration Tool (swat) allows users access Samba configuration and preferences remotely using a web browser.
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References
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