[Samba] interfaces parameter use needs clarification

[Chris Smith]

Thanks for clearing that up.
It's good to know that one can rely on the official docs.

On Fri, 2003-01-31 at 15:07, John H Terpstra wrote:
> On Fri, 31 Jan 2003, Chris Smith wrote:
> 
> > On Fri, 2003-01-31 at 14:17, John H Terpstra wrote:
> >
> > > > Which clearly, and seemingly purposely, leaves out the lo interface.
> > >
> > > Which is always allowed except when explicitly NOT allowed.
> >
> > OK, so there is no need to add the lo interface because it is added by
> > default.
> >
> > How about the format of the IP/submask pair:
> >
> > > > Furthermore in the "Unoffcial Samba HOWTO" it is stated:
> > > >
> > > > =========================================
> > > > A common mistake is to set the interfaces line to the specific IP
> > > > address of the box, when it is actually the IP subnet that your
> > > > interface is on that you want to use. Assuming your server runs on
> > > > 192.168.0.1 and your netmask is 255.255.255.0, your smb.conf file should
> > > > look like:
> > > >
> > > >         interfaces = 192.168.0.0/255.255.255.0 127.0.0.1
> > > > =========================================
> > > >
> > > > However this also does not reconcile with the smb.conf manual, nor the
> > > > examples which clearly show the use of the IP address of the interface
> > > > itself as proper.
> >
> > Is it indeed a mistake at all to use the IP of the interface vs the
> > subnet's address or is the "Unofficial Samba HOWTO" in error here?
> > I recognize that if I knew C I might have been able to answer this one
> > myself, apologies.
> 
> The code actually checks for valid interfaces and compares them to the
> address pattern specified. In other words:
> 
> 	Interface: 1.2.3.4/24, known as eth2
> 
> if:	interfaces = 1.2.0.0/16
> 	interfaces = 1.0.0.0/8
> 	interfaces = eth2
> 	interfaces = 1.2.3.4
> 	interfaces = 1.2.3.4/255.255.255.0
> 
> will all work fine.
> 
> 
> - John T.
> -- 
> John H Terpstra
> Email: jht at samba.org