Samba in RedHat Enterprise Linux

SAMBA INTRODUCTION 

Samba is an open source implementation of the Server Message Block (SMB) protocol. It allows the networking of Microsoft Windows®, Linux, UNIX, and other operating systems together, enabling access to Windows-based file and printer shares. Samba's use of SMB allows it to appear as a Windows
server to Windows clients.

The ability to join an Active Directory domain by means of LDAP and Kerberos

Built in Unicode support for internationalization
Support for Microsoft Windows XP Professional client connections to
Samba servers without needing local registry hacking

Samba Features

Samba is a powerful and versatile server application. Even seasoned system administrators must know its abilities and limitations before attempting installation and configuration.

What Samba can do:

 Serve directory trees and printers to Linux, UNIX, and Windows clients
Assist in network browsing (with or without NetBIOS)
Authenticate Windows domain logins
Provide Windows Internet Name Service (WINS) name server resolution
Act as a Windows NT®-style Primary Domain Controller (PDC)
Act as a Backup Domain Controller (BDC) for a Samba-based PDC
Act as an Active Directory domain member server
Join a Windows NT/2000/2003 PDC

Samba limitations :

Act as a BDC for a Windows PDC (and vice versa)
Act as an Active Directory domain controller

Samba Daemons and Related Services

Samba Daemons

Samba is comprised of three daemons (smbd, nmbd, and winbindd). Two services (smb and windbind) control how the daemons are started, stopped, and other service-related features. Each daemon is listed in detail, as well as which specific service has control over it.
smbd
The smbd server daemon provides file sharing and printing services to Windows clients. In addition, it is responsible for user authentication,
resource locking, and data sharing through the SMB protocol. The default ports on which the server listens for SMB traffic are TCP ports 139 and 445.The smbd daemon is controlled by the smb service. nmbd.
The nmbd server daemon understands and replies to NetBIOS name service requests such as those produced by SMB/CIFS in Windows-based systems.These systems include Windows 95/98/ME, Windows NT, Windows 2000,Windows XP, and LanManager clients. It also participates in the browsing protocols that make up the Windows Network Neighborhood view. The default port that the server listens to for NMB traffic is UDP port 137. The nmbddaemon is controlled by the smbservice.
winbindd
The winbind service resolves user and group information on a server running Windows NT 2000 or Windows Server 2003. This makes Windows user / group information understandable by UNIX platforms. This is achieved by using Microsoft RPC calls, Pluggable Authentication Modules (PAM), and
the Name Service Switch (NSS). This allows Windows NT domain users to appear and operate as UNIX users on a UNIX machine. Though bundled with the Samba distribution, the winbindservice is controlled separately from the smbservice.The winbindd daemon is controlled by the winbind service and does not
require the smb service to be started in order to operate. Winbindd is also used when Samba is an Active Directory member, and may also be used on a Samba domain controller (to implement nested groups and/or interdomain trust). Because winbind is a client-side service used to connect to Windows NT-based servers.