Linux fileserver info needed

I'm am looking for a cost efficient file/print server solution for my
company. We currently use a Netware server and have looked into upgrading to
Netware 6, but we are finding that option to be too cost prohibitive at this
time. Linux looks like it may be a great option, but I do not know very much
about it. Can anyone recommend a good source (books/websites) of information
on setting up Linux as a file/print server utilizing Win based workstations?
I also need information on Linux's VPN capabilities that we would like to
incorporate for our field staff.

Thanks
Larry

On Thu, 18 Sep 2003 14:06:58 -0400, "LVF" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:

>I'm am looking for a cost efficient file/print server solution for my
>company. We currently use a Netware server and have looked into upgrading to
>Netware 6, but we are finding that option to be too cost prohibitive at this
>time. Linux looks like it may be a great option, but I do not know very much
>about it. Can anyone recommend a good source (books/websites) of information
>on setting up Linux as a file/print server utilizing Win based workstations?

As you currently use Netware, I assume your WinXX-based workstations are all
configured to access Netware file and print resources. If you don't want to
change this, then you /could/ install the "Mars-NWE" Open Source Netware
emulator on a Linux box, and continue doing what you are doing now.

Take a look at http://www.compu-art.de/mars_nwe/ (german)
and/or the IPX-HOWTO (http://www.tldp.org/HOWTO/IPX-HOWTO.html)
for this choice.

On the other hand, you could switch your WinXX-based workstations to Microsoft's
own file and print sharing facility. "Client for Microsoft Networks" is built in
to (or available from the install media of) every WinXX client since Windows for
Workgroups 3.11. The server component is well supported (in english) by the
"Samba" Open Source SMB server (http://www.samba.org/) and is documented in
great detail in many different books.
"Using Samba" by Robert Eckstein, David Collier-Brown & Peter Kelly
(O'Reilly Books. ISBN 1-56592-449-5)

"Linux System Administration - A User's Guide" by Marcel Gagne'
(Addison-Wesley, ISBN 0-201-71934)

and even on the web (http://www.tldp.org/HOWTO/SMB-HOWTO.html)

Samba is a part of almost every big name Linux distribution, and is
well-supported in the community.

>I also need information on Linux's VPN capabilities that we would like to
>incorporate for our field staff.

You might find the VPN Howto (http://www.tldp.org/HOWTO/VPN-HOWTO/index.html)
helpfull here. Also, any good vendor should be able to assist in setting up a
VPN on Linux.

--
Lew Pitcher
IT Consultant, Enterprise Technology Solutions
Toronto Dominion Bank Financial Group

(Opinions expressed are my own, not my employers')

In message <Hvmab.2661$(E-Mail Removed)>, LVF
<(E-Mail Removed)> writes
>I'm am looking for a cost efficient file/print server solution for my
>company. We currently use a Netware server and have looked into upgrading to
>Netware 6, but we are finding that option to be too cost prohibitive at this
>time. Linux looks like it may be a great option, but I do not know very much
>about it. Can anyone recommend a good source (books/websites) of information
>on setting up Linux as a file/print server utilizing Win based workstations?
>I also need information on Linux's VPN capabilities that we would like to
>incorporate for our field staff.
>

A basic Linux system with SAMBA should suffice. If you just want a file
and print server, there's no need to do a full install of a complete
Linux distro. Remember "KISS" (Keep It Simple, Sir) <g>.

Co-incidentally, I'm currently working on a small (GPL) distro.
specifically for in-experienced users to install servers - the full
system isn't ready but the component parts are.

If you'd like to e-mail me, I can probably help.
--
Regards,
Mike Eggleston
Fenland Software Ltd
http://www.fensoft.co.uk

"LVF" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message news:<Hvmab.2661$(E-Mail Removed)>.. .
> I'm am looking for a cost efficient file/print server solution for my
> company. We currently use a Netware server and have looked into upgrading to
> Netware 6, but we are finding that option to be too cost prohibitive at this
> time. Linux looks like it may be a great option, but I do not know very much
> about it. Can anyone recommend a good source (books/websites) of information
> on setting up Linux as a file/print server utilizing Win based workstations?
> I also need information on Linux's VPN capabilities that we would like to
> incorporate for our field staff.
>
> Thanks
> Larry

Hi Larry,

I've got just the book for you: Integrate Linux Solutions into Your
Windows Network by Dustin Puryear, ISBN: 0761527915

This book saved my ass when I set-out to do a similar project as you.
It details how to create an entire Linux domain with Windows desktops
and how to make a Linux Domain Controler or member server work with an
existing Windows domain. It has TONS of examples.

Here's the link on Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg...qid=1063999970

Hope this helps,

Alex.

LVF wrote:

> I'm am looking for a cost efficient file/print server solution for my
> company. We currently use a Netware server and have looked into upgrading
> to Netware 6, but we are finding that option to be too cost prohibitive at
> this time. Linux looks like it may be a great option, but I do not know
> very much about it. Can anyone recommend a good source (books/websites) of
> information on setting up Linux as a file/print server utilizing Win based
> workstations? I also need information on Linux's VPN capabilities that we
> would like to incorporate for our field staff.

For file and printer sharing, check out one of the SOHO distro's that are
tailored to this kind of stuff, like e-smith (www.e-smith.org) or
clackconnect (www.clarkconnect.org).

If you are planning on setting up a VPN from Windows TO Linux, I'd recommend
you first take some time out to thoroughly understand VPN and IPsec - it is
not a matter of plug in and go, believe me!

Seriously, pick up a few books on VPN, like O'Reilly's excellent guide.

--
Jeroen Geilman

Gentoo 1.4 rc4