Exploring Samba's new registry-based configuration
As most Linux users know, Samba [1] is an open source file and print system that provides interoperability with Windows environments. For more that 15 years, Samba has managed configuration settings through the plain-text file smb.conf. With the release of Samba 3.2.0 in July 2008, this paradigm of plain-text-only configuration is no longer the only option. A new configuration back end can store the configuration data in Samba's internal registry database. The default behavior is the same as before, but if you explicitly enable registry-based configuration through smb.conf, you can manage your Samba settings through a Windows-style registry.
Registry-based configuration opens many new options, such as remote administration and administration of Samba from Windows computers.
Why a Registry?
Samba has always maintained a registry database so that Windows clients could access the registry over the WINREG RPC interface to retrieve information for the connection. (Figure 1 shows WINREG access of a Windows client connecting to a Windows server.) Until recently, however, Samba did not use the registry for any other purposes.
[...]
Buy Linux Magazine
US / Canada
UK / Australia
Subscribe to our Linux Newsletters
Find Linux and Open Source Jobs
Subscribe to our ADMIN Newsletters
Support Our Work
Linux Magazine content is made possible with support from readers like you. Please consider contributing when you’ve found an article to be beneficial.
News
-
Wayland 1.24 Released with Fixes and New Features
Wayland continues to move forward, while X11 slowly vanishes into the shadows, and the latest release includes plenty of improvements.
-
Bugs Found in sudo
Two critical flaws allow users to gain access to root privileges.
-
Fedora Continues 32-Bit Support
In a move that should come as a relief to some portions of the Linux community, Fedora will continue supporting 32-bit architecture.
-
Linux Kernel 6.17 Drops bcachefs
After a clash over some late fixes and disagreements between bcachefs's lead developer and Linus Torvalds, bachefs is out.
-
ONLYOFFICE v9 Embraces AI
Like nearly all office suites on the market (except LibreOffice), ONLYOFFICE has decided to go the AI route.
-
Two Local Privilege Escalation Flaws Discovered in Linux
Qualys researchers have discovered two local privilege escalation vulnerabilities that allow hackers to gain root privileges on major Linux distributions.
-
New TUXEDO InfinityBook Pro Powered by AMD Ryzen AI 300
The TUXEDO InfinityBook Pro 14 Gen10 offers serious power that is ready for your business, development, or entertainment needs.
-
LibreOffice Tested as Possible Office 365 Alternative
Another major organization has decided to test the possibility of migrating from Microsoft's Office 365 to LibreOffice.
-
Linux Mint 20 Reaches EOL
With Linux Mint 20 at its end of life, the time has arrived to upgrade to Linux Mint 22.
-
TuxCare Announces Support for AlmaLinux 9.2
Thanks to TuxCare, AlmaLinux 9.2 (and soon version 9.6) now enjoys years of ongoing patching and compliance.