Press Release
February 12, 2007
O'Reilly Releases Using Samba, Third Edition: A File and Print Server for Linux, Unix, and Mac OS X
Sebastopol, CA--The earliest bridges were constructed with whatever
materials nature saw fit to provide: a tree fallen across a ravine or
stones piled in a riverbed. More complex bridges spanning greater
distances weren't possible until the Romans created a brilliant yet simple
architectural device--the Roman arch. So began the history of bridges, as
we know it.
In the world of cross-platform networks, Samba is the Roman arch. A
software suite that connects Windows, Unix, and other operating systems
using Windows native networking protocols, Samba allows Unix servers to
offer Windows networking services by matching the filesystem and
networking models of Unix to those of Windows. It's the bridge between the
two systems, connecting the corresponding parts of their architectures and
translating wherever necessary. And just as there are few roads that don't
require a bridge of some sort, there are few networks where disparate
systems don't grapple with print and file sharing.
Bridging the gap between dissimilar systems is a complex task, but one
that Samba handles surprisingly well. However, to be a good Samba
administrator, one's abilities must parallel those of Samba's. "For
starters, you need to know basic Unix system and network administration
and have a good understanding of Windows filesystems and networking
fundamentals," cautions Gerald Carter, coauthor with Jay Ts, and Robert
Eckstein of the new third edition of Using Samba (O'Reilly, US $44.99).
"In addition, you have to learn how Samba fills in the 'gray area' between
Unix and Windows; for instance, how a Unix user relates to a corresponding
Windows account. Once you know how everything fits together, you'll find
it easy to configure a Samba server to provide your network with reliable
and high-performance resources."
Using Samba, the comprehensive guide that's been officially adopted by
the Samba team, makes all of that easier. This popular reference takes
readers from basic installation and configuration--on both the client and
server side, for a wide range of systems--to subtle details of security,
cross-platform compatibility, and resource discovery. The new edition
covers:
- Integrating with Active Directory and OpenLDAP
- Migrating from Windows NT 4.0 domains to Samba
- Delegating administrative tasks to nonroot users
- Managing printers
- Making use of Virtual File Systems (VFS) plug-ins and other advanced
file-serving features
The book is primarily intended for Unix administrators who need to support
Windows clients on their networks, as well as anyone who needs to access
the resources of a Windows network environment from a Unix client. The
authors delve into the internals of Windows activities and protocols,
explaining the strengths and weaknesses of each feature in Windows domains
and in Samba itself, to make file and print sharing both powerful and
efficient.
Gerald Carter joined the Samba development team in 1998 and has been
involved with Unix systems and network administration since 1995. He
currently works for HP on embedded printing appliances while pursuing a
Ph.D. in computer science from Auburn University. He also teaches courses
as a consultant for several companies and conferences.
Jay Ts is a system administrator and programmer with many years of
experience working with several versions of Unix and other operating
systems. He works as an independent consultant from his home in Sedona,
Arizona.
Robert Eckstein worked as an O'Reilly editor on Java books (notably Java
Swing) and is also responsible for the XML Pocket Reference and
Webmaster in a Nutshell, Second Edition.
Background and Market Information:
http://del.icio.us/oreillymedia/usingsamba
Additional Resources:
Using Samba, Third Edition
Gerald Carter, Jay Ts, and Robert Eckstein
ISBN: 0-596-00769-8, 432 pages, Print: $44.99 US, $58.99 CA
order@oreilly.com
1-800-998-9938; 1-707-827-7000
About O'Reilly
O'Reilly Media spreads the knowledge of innovators through its books, online services, magazines, and conferences. Since 1978, O'Reilly Media has been a chronicler and catalyst of cutting-edge development, homing in on the technology trends that really matter and spurring their adoption by amplifying "faint signals" from the alpha geeks who are creating the future. An active participant in the technology community, the company has a long history of advocacy, meme-making, and evangelism.
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