Sharing filesystems between FreeBSD and Windows ...

[Andrew L. Gould]

On Tue, 22 Nov 2005 16:42:29 +0100
Kiffin Gish <kiffin at gish.demon.nl> wrote:

> On Tue, 2005-11-22 at 10:07 -0500, Nicolas Blais wrote:
> > On November 22, 2005 09:59 am, Kiffin Gish wrote:
> > > I have a home network running 3 desktop machines with Windows XP
> > > Pro, and a webserver, fileserver and laptop with FreeBSD 5.x.
> > >
> > > What's the best way to be able to exchange files and directory
> > > shares between the two environments?
> > >
> > > It would also be nice to share the printer which is connected to
> > > one of the Windows boxes via USB.
> > >
> > > I hear that Samba is the way to go, but also have heard about such
> > > client-based utilities like Sharity-light which also do the trick.
> > >
> > > Thanks alot in advance.
> > 
> > I use samba+cups at home.  My situation is similar, except my
> > printer is connected to one of my FreeBSD machines.  The hardest
> > part of linking FreeBSD with Windows isn't the getting the shares
> > to work, but the printers to work, and I found it easier to have
> > the printer on FreeBSD and have Windows write to it using real
> > drivers (cups in RAW mode).
> 
> Hmmm, this kinda worries me, to be honest. I went through alot of
> trouble getting my HP Deksjet G86 working under Windows and cannot
> imagine the hassle of getting it to work under FreeBSD.
> 
> I still can't get my HP Dekjet 720C to work with my laptop (FreeBSD
> 5.4 and apsfilter), and I struggled for days before finally giving up.
> 
> > 
> > Actually, it's not as hard at is seems.  Here's what I put in my
> > smb.conf to make the printer work:
> > 
> > printing = cups
> > load printers = yes
> > 
> > [printers]
> > path = /var/spool/samba
> > use client driver = Yes
> > printable = yes
> > public = yes
> > guest ok = yes
> > writable = no
> > 
> > You'll find a lot of help in the Samba documentation and cups is
> > also well documented.
> > 
> > Nicolas.
> > 
> 
> Thanks Nicolas, I'll give it a go.
> 
> -- 
> Kiffin Gish
> Gouda, The Netherlands
> 

I use Samba to share FreeBSD files with Windows.  I used to use sharity-
light (/ usr/ ports/net/sharity-light) to use Windows files in FreeBSD;
but haven't had the need in a long time, so I haven't installed it in
the 5* series.

I moved my printers (HP Photosmart 7150, Oki B4350 w/ postscript) to a
Hawking Technology print server that supports the internet printing
protocol (IPP); and has 2 usb and 1 parallel port.  Windows XP
supports IPP in the printer configuration wizard.  I configured
the printers in FreeBSD using cups, which also supports IPP.

I forwarded the IPP port from the router to the print server so that  I
can print to my home printers from anywhere on the internet. When I'm
out of town, I can print notes to the kids, who don't have email
accounts.

Be wary when purchasing print server devices.  Some do not support IPP;
and many do not support Mac OS (9 or X)  on non-postscript printers.

Best of luck,

Andrew Gould