1. Importing Remote SMB Directories

1. Importing Remote SMB Directories
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Abstract

This tool allows the system administrator to give users access to remotely shared directories using the SMB protocol (used mainly by Windows^®).

While users can individually access remote shares through their file managers, it may be required in some cases to import a specific share for it to become immediately available for all users. We'll go through an example showing you how to import a directory from a Windows^® machine.

Figure 12.1. Scanning the Whole Network

Choose a Server. Clicking on the Search servers button scans the local network for machines which currently share directories (including the local one). We'll choose one of them and make it available locally for all users.

Choose a Share. Click on a machine name, then on the little arrow at the left of the machine icon to show available shares. Then select the one you wish to configure.

	Tip
	If the machine you're connecting to has both public and password-protected shares, then canceling the password entry dialog will connect you to that machine, but only to its public shares.

Once a share is selected, a Mount point button appears, click on it to enter the local directory name where remote files will be accessible.

Once this is done, two more buttons appear:

Options. Allows you to set a user name and password to access that SMB mount point. Other permissions and advanced settings can also be set through this button. Make sure you set at least the username, or leave all options empty to use defaults.
Mount. Makes the resource available locally. When this is done, users simply have to point their file manager to the directory selected as the mount point to get the files hosted by the server.

Import Share on Each Reboot. When you're finished configuring the access points for remote directories, click on Done. A dialog box will appear asking you whether or not you wish to save your modifications to the /etc/fstab file (where mount point information is usually stored). Click on Yes to make the shares configuration persistent between sessions. Click on No to exit without saving your changes.