[Samba] Dispelling Myths About Samba Encrypted passwords, NT_STATUS_LOGON _FAILURE and XP

[David Balnaves]

Hi,

I've been using samba for a while now with relatively simple configurations.
I do however have a few questions:

* When using encrypted passwords with samba, is it possible to authenticate
users using the Unix user password(/etc/passwd)?

* When using smbclient I get the error NT_STATUS_LOGON_FAILURE:

added interface ip=192.168.1.1 bcast=192.168.1.255 nmask=255.255.255.0
Password:
session setup failed: NT_STATUS_LOGON_FAILURE
david at Wintermute:~$ smbclient -L wintermute -U david
added interface ip=192.168.1.1 bcast=192.168.1.255 nmask=255.255.255.0
Password:
session setup failed: NT_STATUS_LOGON_FAILURE
david at Wintermute:~$ smbclient -L wintermute -U root
added interface ip=192.168.1.1 bcast=192.168.1.255 nmask=255.255.255.0
Password:
session setup failed: NT_STATUS_LOGON_FAILURE

When nothing is entered in the password prompt:

david at Wintermute:~$ smbclient -L wintermute
added interface ip=192.168.1.1 bcast=192.168.1.255 nmask=255.255.255.0
Password:
Anonymous login successful
Domain=[UTOPIA] OS=[Unix] Server=[Samba 2.2.3a]

        Sharename      Type      Comment
        ---------      ----      -------
        public         Disk      Public Stuff
        IPC$           IPC       IPC Service (Samba Server)
        ADMIN$         Disk      IPC Service (Samba Server)
        lp             Printer

        Server               Comment
        ---------            -------
        ALPHA                Work Station
        WINTERMUTE           Samba Server

        Workgroup            Master
        ---------            -------
        UTOPIA               WINTERMUTE

* What does this error mean?  (What's it caused by?) And how can I fix it?

* Does definition of WorkGroups change across different Windows versions?

* Lastly, is there any tricks involved in getting samba to work with Windows
XP?  I want it so it uses the unix user authentication if possible.  I've
loaded the WinXP_SignOrSeal.reg patch on XP.  I also loaded the
Win2000_PlainPassword.reg in the hope I could access my shares from my XP
box.

Im running Samba-2.2.3a and here is my smb.conf:

[global]
   workgroup = utopia
   debuglevel = 2
   server string = Samba Server
   load printers = yes
   log file = /var/log/samba.%m
   max log size = 50
   security = user

[homes]
   comment = Home Directories
   browseable = no
   writable = yes

[public]
   comment = Public Stuff
   path = /home/pub
   public = yes
   writable = yes

Cheers,
David Balnaves