[Samba] Re: clarification needed: $ in machine name?

[Steve A]

Hi Eric

Eric Evans wrote:
> Sorry to be a pest, but I need to try to get some clarification of how the
> machine name works when setting up a machine account on the Samba
> server.  The Samba How-To page
> http://us3.samba.org/samba/docs/man/Samba-HOWTO-Collection/samba-pdc.html#id2536400
> talks about the "common error" of including the $ in the machine name on
> the server machine.  However, all of the examples of PDC setup that I've
> seen show machine accounts in the passwd file that DO have a $ at the end
> of the machine name.  So, $ or no $?  The explanation on the How-To page

Definately a $.  It's not a Samba thing, it's a Windows thing.

> confusing, when it says "The problem is only in the program used to make
> the entry....Create a user without the "$".  Then use vipw to edit the
> entry, adding the "$"".  This is perplexing.  Why would it make any
> difference whether you put in the $ with vipw or some other editor?  And

The howto page suggests vipw, because vipw applies all necessary locks to 
the password file while it is being edited, performs consistency checks and 
calls an external program to update the user database.

> why does the heading of this section say ""$" Cannot Be Included in
> Machine
> Name?"  I don't quite get what the real technical issue is here.  I think
> some more explanation is needed.

Because the heading is in the "Common Errors" section of the howto.  So, a 
common error in this case is "$ Cannot be included in machine name". 
Perhaps it should be indented to show it is part of the common errors 
section, but hey... this is HTML don't forget!

Steve :)