Dummy Question-Client For MS Network Or Samba AS Server?

[Brian McKee]

On 13/07/07, Leonard Chatagnier <lenc5570 at sbcglobal.net> wrote:
> Please consider me as a complete dummy on networking/samba setup.  I have an
> Ubuntu Feisty computer and a WinXP computer
> Ubuntu can see the shares on the WXP but WXP is not
> aware that Ubuntu exists; can't map network drives from WXP and can't access
> shares from Ubuntu.  Have tried Samba setup several times over the years but
> never successful.  My main question is server/client related:
> What should be the server(from Ubuntu operability viewpoint), Samba or
> Client for Microsoft Networks?
> I understand, right or wrongly, that one must be the server; the other the
> client...???

Wrongly - that might be the basis of some of your issues.

The server provides files - the client uses them.

So, when you look at your WinXP files from your Ubuntu box, the Ubuntu
box is a client, and Windows is the server.   If you want to do that
in reverse as well, then Ubuntu will be the server and Windows the
client.
Here's the last piece - there's no reason they can't both be clients
and servers at the same time.

If you want to see your Ubuntu box from Windows, set up samba-server
on the Ubuntu box.

Don't worry about your Windows box - from what you are saying it's
fine - leave it alone.

HTH
Brian