HOWTO Setup
Small / Home Network

PURPOSE:

I wrote this as a guide not only to myself, but to others.   These are the details that I use to configure my home network and our church network.

BASICALLY, THIS IS HOW TO SET UP FILE SHARING ON A NETWORK.

This includes the setup, configuration and usage of SMB.   SMB is "The Server Message Block (SMB) Protocol is a network file sharing protocol, and as implemented in Microsoft Windows is known as Microsoft SMB Protocol."

This file sharing runs through Samba, which is an Open Source application for SMB.   Samba normally comes already installed in most distributions.   Samba will run on any UNIX / Linux machine, including OS-X.   Those wanting to use the Microsoft SMB product can purchase a full license from Microsoft for $5,000.

Since I include Webmin as the tool for configuration, those with BSD OS-x and other UNIX systems should feel at home.

If you are interested only in Internet access and basic file sharing, then only the Communications Area is all you need.

Some suggested reading:

For a very good view of the workings of a network read How To Set Up A Linux Network by Keith Parkansky.

For a very good view of file and print servers read How To Set Up Debian LinuxFile and Print Servers by Keith Parkansky.

Please feel free to e-mail me any suggestions, comments, or questions.

AREAS:

I have divided this into five areas.   After everything is up and running, only the last two areas, Setup & Maintenance will be needed.  

1 - Preparation:

1.1 - Hardware

List of the hardware that was used.

1.2 - Variables

Before you start, you need to define these variables.

1.3 - Configuration Screens

Access to the common configuration screens.   For UNIX / Linux, I use Webmin.

2 - Communications

2.1 - Local Communications

Your computer should be able to communicate with itself.

2.2 - Host Name

This is the name of your computer. We will also set the Microsoft Work Group name, if needed.

2.3 - Network Interface

Here is where we configure the network interfaces. Actually, by default, there is little to do.

2.4 - Connect with Router

Plug in the cables and check LED lights.

2.5 - Router Configuration

This is the configuration of the router.

2.6 - Test Internet Access

This is the configuration of the router.

2.7 - Test Computer Communication

Your computer should be able to communicate with other computers on the LAN.

3 - Server Configuration:

This covers the default and original settings.   Once set up, this section does not have to be repeated, only for reference.

3.1 - Samba.

Information about Samba and a good reference book, Using Samba, by JayTs, Robert Eckstein, & David Collier-Brown, published by O'Reilly.

3.2 - Samba Configuration - Webmin.

The configuration of Samba using Webmin.

3.3 - /etc/samba/smb.conf

Example of the [Global] settings in the /etc/samba/smb.conf file.

3.4 - NFS Server

I need to work on this one.

4 - Setup:

This covers the setup of new users, groups, files shares and printers.

4.1 - File Shares

Setting up a new user.

4.2 - Printer Shares

Mounting a printer to a machine.

4.3 - User Configuration / Creation

Setting up a new user.

4.4 - User Setup

Setting up a new user.

4.5 - Mounting Windows Partitions

Mounting a shared directory to a machine.

5 - Maintenance:

5.1 - Logs

Under development.

5.2 - Backups

Under development.

5.3 - Network Information

Under development.

If you have any comments, problems, questions or suggestions, please send me an e-mail at

Updated;   This page was last updated on Mar 16 , 2007 .