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Windows File Sharing
(SAMBA)
pg. 21
One of the easiest, most convenient ways to
administer your Virtual Private Server is through the use of Windows File Sharing
technology.
If you are running Windows on your PC,
you can actually map your Virtual Private Server’s file system as a network drive. This
feature allows you to drag and drop files back and forth between your desktop
and your Virtual Private Server, as well as manage your file system–all with the click
of a mouse!
The information contained in this chapter is
provided to assist you in administering your Virtual Private Server. It is important to
note that, due to the vast number of Windows releases from Microsoft and the
differing software and hardware configurations available, we cannot assist in
diagnosing problems you may have with these procedures. If you encounter
difficulties setting up Windows File Sharing, please try rebooting Windows
before attempting another connection. If you continue to experience trouble,
contact Microsoft Technical Support for further assistance.
Step 1: Configure your PC
Before you can use Windows File Sharing, you must
ensure that your PC is properly configured.
To do so, select Start -> Settings -> Control
Panel, then double-click the Network icon.
Once inside the Network folder, verify that you
have the TCP/IP Protocol installed on your PC. If you are using Windows you also need the Client for Microsoft Networks.
Next, create a file in your Windows directory
called lmhosts, or modify your existing lmhosts file. There are several forms
this file can take, depending on the version of Windows you are running.
If you are not sure where the lmhosts file is
located, select Start -> Find -> Files & Folders. Then, type ‘lmhosts’ in the
Named: field. Make sure the drive that contains Windows (usually C:) is selected
in the Look in: field, as shown below:
In the example above the file is named Lmhosts.sam. Make a copy of this file, using Windows
Explorer or other means, and name it lmhosts.
Open the new lmhosts file with a text application
such as Notepad, and add a line to the bottom of it that contains the IP address
of your Virtual Private Server, as well as a name to identify its file system with. For
example, if the IP address of your Virtual Private Server were 207.159.23.22, your lmhosts file might look like this:
The yourname tag can be any name you want, such
as the login name you use with your Virtual Private Server. After you type this line,
press Enter a couple of times. You must ensure that Windows does not append a
file extension to the file (such as .txt or .doc). In most Windows editors, you
can do so by choosing Save As and enclosing the filename in quotation marks.
Once you have modified the file and saved it,
reboot your machine so the changes can take effect.
If you are running Windows 95, go directly to
Step 3; otherwise, go to Step 2.
Step 2: Enable Plain Text
Passwords
WARNING! By enabling plain text password use,
all passwords are sent on the network in an unencrypted format. These passwords
may be viewed by anyone using a network-monitoring program. If security is a
concern for your network environment, do not enable plain text passwords.
For security reasons, Windows NT by
default do not allow you to send plain text passwords. Because Samba servers
require plain text passwords, you cannot connect to Samba servers unless you
change the registry entry to enable plain text passwords.
The procedure for enabling plain text passwords
differs slightly, depending on the version of Windows you are running, and
whether or not you have an installation disk. Follow the instructions below for
the version of Windows you are running
Windows NT
You must have administrative access to enable
plain text passwords on Windows NT. Once you are logged in as Administrator,
follow these steps:
Run Regedt32.exe from the Start menu.
Open the following Registry location:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\Rdr\Parameters
Choose Edit -> Add Value from the menu.
Enter the following information:
Value name: EnablePlainTextPassword
Data type: REG_DWORD
In the Data: box, type 1. Make sure Hex is
selected and press OK.
Go on to Step 3: Map the Network Drive.
Step 3: Map the Network Drive
To test your file sharing, establish a connection
with your Internet provider, then open Windows Explorer and choose Map Network
Drive from the Tools menu. Select an available drive letter from the Drive
selection box and type the following in the Path box:
The Virtual Private Server tag should be the exact
identifying name that you used in your lmhosts file. The username should be the
username of your Virtual Private Server, typed exactly the same way (Windows is case
sensitive regarding its login protocols).
Your PC will attempt to map a drive to your
Virtual Private Server. This process may take up to several minutes the first time. If
all goes well, you will eventually be asked for a password. Type the password
that you use to login to your Virtual Private Server, and then press Enter.
Your Virtual Private Server’s file structure should
appear as the drive letter you selected in Windows Explorer. If you like, you
can create a shortcut to this drive on your Desktop. Then, whenever you click on
the shortcut, your computer will attempt to re-establish the connection.
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