9.1 Accessing Files from a Client Computer

You can access files and folders hosted on CIFS server from Windows (XP, Vista, Win7) or Linux clients. Use one of the following methods to access the CIFS server from your clients:

9.1.1 Accessing Files from a Windows Client

Prerequisite

Accessing files from a Windows computer requires NetBIOS over TCP/IP to be enabled on the Windows computer. If you have disabled NetBIOS over TCP/IP, you will not be able to access files and directories through CIFS.

IMPORTANT:The Search option in Win7 mapped drive does not work as designed. You will see windows client searching for some time. However, it is not searching but the client is waiting for the server's response.

Procedure to Access Files

  1. Specify your username (no context) and local password to log in to the computer.

  2. Access the network by clicking the network icon.

    In Windows 2000 and XP, click My Network Places. In Vista and Win 7, click Network.

  3. Browse to the workgroup or domain specified during the CIFS software installation.

  4. Select the server running CIFS.

    Although it is the same computer, the CIFS server name is not the same as the Open Enterprise Server (OES) 2 Linux server name. For more information, ask your network administrator.

    HINT:You can specify the server name or the server IP address in Find Computer to quickly access the server running CIFS software.

  5. Browse to the desired folder or file.

NOTE:Windows users can also be managed through a Windows Domain Controller.

9.1.2 Accessing Files from a Linux Desktop

You can access files either by using an IP address or a NETBIOS name. If your Linux client is a SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop (SLED) desktop, you can also use nautilus to access the files.:

Using an IP Address to Access Files

  1. Run this command from the command prompt:

    smbclient://<SERVER_IP_ADDRESS>/<VOLUME_NAME or SHARE_NAME> -U<user_name> -p 139

  2. Enter the password when prompted.

For example, 

trml-prompt:~ # smbclient //192.168.103.158/V1 -Uari -p 139

session request to 192.168.103.158 failed (Called name not present)

session request to 192 failed (Called name not present)

Password: (enter password here)

OS=[SUSE LINUX 10.1SUSE LINUX 10.1WORKGROUP] Server=[]

smb: \>

Using a NETBIOS Name to Access Files

  1. Run this command from the command prompt:

    smb://<SERVER_NAME>/<VOLUME_NAME or SHARE_NAME> -U<user_name> -p 139

  2. Enter the password when prompted.

Using nautilus to Access Files

  1. Run this command from the nautilus address bar:

    smb://<SERVER_IP_ADDRESS>/<VOLUME_NAME or SHARE_NAME>

  2. Enter the username and password when prompted.