[Samba] Samba server options for serving Windows NT4 clients

[Peter Milesson]

On 24.01.2023 16:33, Rowland Penny via samba wrote:
>
>
> On 24/01/2023 15:00, Peter Milesson via samba wrote:
>> Hi folks,
>>
>> I have got the unenviable task of replacing an old samba server for a 
>> machine group, where some of the machine controllers still use 
>> Windows NT4. The rest of the controllers are Windows XP (probably 
>> SP1). As long as the controllers work, nobody is going to replace 
>> them, as new controllers cost a fortune. So, I'm stuck with what I 
>> have got.
>>
>> Just for those who like to point out the bad security: The network is 
>> a closed one, it's not accessible from anywhere else. Also, the new 
>> server will only be accessible for administration purposes over a 
>> separate VLAN interface. So no firewalls or similar stuff getting in 
>> the way.
>>
>> There is no need for browsing, as there is only one file server in 
>> the local network, and drive mapping will be explicit (IP-address, 
>> not name). There is no communication between the machines in the group.
>
> Who ever thought it was a good idea to embed a computer into a very 
> expensive piece of equipment was either a genius or very stupid. A 
> genius if the equipment was scrapped and replaced when the computer 
> became a security risk, so it was a new sale, or stupid when the 
> computer became a security risk. My moneys on stupid.
>
> Going off at a tangent, my feeling is that anything that starts with 
> 'smart' isn't.
>
> smart motorways: people get killed on them
> smart TV's, after a few years they stop getting supported and then can 
> only be used as TV's (without the internet)
> You can buy smart washing machines, why ? OK, you can start it from 
> the other side of the planet, but you have to be stood in front of it 
> to load or unload it and they all have control buttons.
>
> I think you will have guessed that I don't like these things, in most 
> cases there is no point to them.
>
>  >
>> Which is the latest Samba version I can use?
>
> Officially 4.17.4 , but you are going to have to set it up correctly.
>
>>
>> Can I disable nmbd?
>
> No, you are going to need it.
>
>> Can I disable Netbios in the Samba server?
>
> That is basically the same thing as disabling nmbd, so the answer is no.
>
> Just 'sandbox' the things on their own network and transfer data by 
> usb drives or floppies (I bet they all have floppy drives).
>
> Rowland
>
Hi Rowland,

I fully agree with you about the stupidity of smart things. They make 
life miserable (looking for a new dishwasher from one premium brand, 
there were no models without WiFi)...

It makes no sense in upgrading the hardware in the controllers, and you 
cannot run Windows 11 on a PC with a Celeron 180 MHz, and 64MB of RAM. 
And those controllers really cost serious money.

The network is sandboxed, I would never dream of opening Pandora's box. 
And guess what? No USB. Floppies, or custom "portable" HDDs.

Thanks for the information, most useful.

Peter