[linux-cifs-client] dfs - how to make it work

[Andrea Prunic]

Hello all.

I have been trying for some time to make a msdfs tree using samba as dfs 
root and clients as well (most of my machines are Linux), but I can't 
make the bloody thing work - no way.

I've setup one samba server with dfs support, just the way it is in the 
official documentation, but I can't use the dfs link I've created 
(everything is lowercased, just to be on the safe side). Everytime I try 
to access it from Linux machine using smbclient or mount.smbfs or 
mount.cifs (kernel has support for both) I get directory listing 
correctly, where I can see my dfs link, but when I try to do cd link, I 
get NT_STATUS_OBJECT_NAME_NOT_FOUND.

I've tried debugging it, but the message is actually the same - object 
not found...

Now, I don't know if smbclient or any other usertool coming with samba 
is too stupid to know how to follow this dfs link or I need something 
special (magic powers, x-ray eyesight, whatever) to make it work, but 
I'm quite frustrated with the docs as well, because there is NO word in 
it about using dfs under Linux (can smbclient be used, if not, what to 
use etc.)

You might want to know why do I want it - because I have a mixed 
environment, and I need to have distributed file system WITHOUT file 
replication, like AFS/CODA/something (no, I don't want to mess my life 
with NFS), which is a perfect role for msdfs.

So, if somebody knows how in the world to make it work, please let me know.

Thanks, Andrea

-- 
Andrea Prunic, System Engineer
-----
YUnet International  http://www.eunet.yu
Dubrovacka 35/III,  11000 Belgrade
Tel: +381 11 311 9901;  Fax: + 381 11 311 9901
-----
This  e-mail  is confidential and intended only for the recipient.
Unauthorized  distribution,  modification  or  disclosure  of  its
contents is prohibited. If you have received this e-mail in error,
please notify the sender by telephone  +381 11 311 9901.