Client for Samba Networks

[Sean Elble]

The only problem with this idea is that it takes away from the point of what
Samba is: a piece of software that makes a UNIX system look like a regular
Windows NT/2000 server to a Windows client. If this were back in the day
when things like Pathworks, Banyan, and LANtastic were still big, then it
wouldn't be such a bad idea; all of those systems were, at least in part,
based upon SMB. However, today, it is a different story: Samba was designed
to ease the addition of a UNIX server in a Windows environment, especially
when a Windows NT/2000 domain/AD structure is already in place. If you are
setting up a network that consists solely of Samba servers, the idea is
better, but that still leaves you with the hassle of dealing with the
installation of a new network client, whereas the Client For Microsoft
Networks is pre-installed in every Windows version.

And, when you consider the time that has already been making Samba appear to
be a Windows NT/2000 server, and support all the RPCs and everything else,
it would really be a waste to abandon that in favor of creating your own
system. I really don't think it's a bad idea; in fact, I like it a lot.
Unfortunately, it's just not practical today, because of all the work that
has gone into making Samba what it is. Hope that helps.

-----------------------------------------------
Sean P. Elble
Editor, Writer, Co-Webmaster
ReactiveLinux.com (Formerly MaximumLinux.org)
http://www.reactivelinux.com/
elbles at reactivelinux.com
-----------------------------------------------

----- Original Message -----
From: "Ken Cobler" <kcobler at coblercorp.com>
To: <samba-technical at lists.samba.org>
Sent: Friday, December 14, 2001 10:36 PM
Subject: Client for Samba Networks


> Hello,
>
> Forgive me, if this has been proposed before.   However,  has anyone
> considered developing a Client for Samba Networks that is completely
> independent of MS code and protocols?
>
> Through the Client for Samba Networks, we could decide protocols, RCP
> interface, authentication, etc. to optimize the network connection
> between MS Windows based PCs and Samba servers.  Also, Domain or User
> Authentication can be designed for optimally network protocol (i.e.
> TCP/IP).
>
> On my MS Windows '98 and 2000 machines, I can add Client for Microsoft
> Networks, as well as, Client for NetWare Networks.  These clients must
> link into the Windows OS to provide some networking interface.  There is
> even a mechanism to add a new client to the Windows OS.
>
> If someone is interested in such a task, please reply.  I'm interested
> in developing such a Client for Samba Networks.  If someone is already
> working on this, please let me know so I can see where I can help out.
>
> Thanks.
>
> Ken Cobler
>