Linux systems include support for each of the most common file server pro- tocols in use today. Among the most common file server types in use today are the Network File System (NFS), which has always been the file-sharing protocol of choice for Linux and other UNIX systems, and Samba (Server Message Block, or SMB, protocol), which is often used by networks with many Windows and OS/2 computers.

COMING FROM WINDOWS
Samba allows you to share files with Windows PCs on your net- work, as well as access Windows file and print servers, making your Linux box fit in better with Windows-centric organizations.

This chapter describes how to set up file servers and clients associated with NFS and Samba.

TIP
When selecting file services to provide, keep in mind that less is more. If your clients and servers support multiple-file access capabilities (both NFS and SMB, for example), pick the service that lends itself to making the task less complicated. In many cases, NFS is supported by clients and servers regardless of the operating system that they use. It's rare that you would need to enable more than one of the file services discussed in this chapter.

Setting Up an NFS File Server

Instead of representing storage devices as drive letters (A, B, C, and so on), as they are in Microsoft operating systems, Linux systems connect file systems from multiple hard disks, floppy disks, CD-ROMs, and other local devices invisibly to form a single Linux file system. The Network File System (NFS) facility enables you to extend your Linux file system in the same way, to connect file systems on other computers to your local directory structure.