Member Avatar for HoWS

Hello,

I'm a newbies with Linux RedHat. I've followed your instructions on how to configure the samba and now I can see my linux server from Win98 computer.

My problem is how to create a new user. Let say, I logged in as win98 from Win98 PC and wanted to access to the linux server. In my smbpasswd file, there's no username called win98, how to do it?

Thanks
HoWS

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  • Latest Post Latest Post by rohitmehta

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As described, Samba requires both a local Unix account and a corresponding Samba account — already pointed this out. Below is a compact, practical workflow (commands shown are alternatives to GUI tools) plus quick troubleshooting notes that fill gaps left by earlier replies and the SWAT/Webmin discussion from and .

Create the Unix account and set its system password:

sudo useradd -m win98
sudo passwd win98

Add that identity into Samba's account database (example uses the Samba account tool):

sudo pdbedit -a win98

Verify configuration and list available shares from the server:

testparm
smbclient -L localhost -U win98

Ensure the Samba services are running (systemd or legacy):

sudo systemctl status smb    # modern systems
sudo service smb status      # older systems

Troubleshooting and hardening notes:

  • The Samba password store can be different from the old smbpasswd flat file (tdbsam, ldapsam, etc.). Check the passdb backend in smb.conf if a new user does not show up where expected.
  • Filesystem permissions matter: make the share directory owned/accessible by the account and set sane permissions (chown/chmod) before checking Samba access.
  • On SELinux-enabled Red Hat systems, enable Samba home/share access or set the correct file context (SELinux booleans and fcontext must be adjusted).
  • SWAT is an older tool and may not be installed; Webmin is an alternative but exposes a web UI that should be locked down. Command-line edits to /etc/samba/smb.conf plus the above tools are the most transparent route for diagnosing Win98-era client problems.

This complements ’s original point (system + Samba account) and gives concrete command-line steps and checks useful both for older Red Hat installs and later releases.

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Member Avatar for DMR

- Samba users must first have a general system account on the Samba server in addition to a Samba account. In Red Hat you can (as root) use the User Manager utility to do this. The utility should be available under your Programs menu; it can also be started with the following command:

redhat-config-users

- To add a Samba account, log in as root and run the "smbpasswd" command. Using your example username of "win98", the command would be:

smbpasswd -a win98

The -a indicates that you are adding a user. Once you issue the above command you'll be promted to type the user's password (and asked to verify it). The new user account should then be sucessfully created.

You can use the "valid users=" directive in your smb.conf file as one way of granting certain users access to certain Samba shares. Read some of the online Samba documentation for more on that and other options in the smb.conf file.

Member Avatar for kc0arf

Hi,

I am thinking of writing a how-to on this one for the tutorial section. I am wondering, however, if people use swat these days, or if they prefer webmin for configuring Samba. I would also develop the information so that the system would consider security and such.

Christian

Member Avatar for undefinition

But i dont have "swat" file on /etc/rc.d/init.d
How to have "swat" file ?

Member Avatar for DMR

SWAT is the Samba Web Administration Tool, and you'll need instructions to get that going if you want to use the tool; Webmin is a more comprehensive Web-based administration utlity which gives you admin control over much more than Samba. I'll try to post more info tomorrow, but right now the steak is coming off the grill, so it's time for me to chow!.

BTW- thanks for following up on this Christian. :)

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