11.6. Sharing Files between Linux Computers

openSUSE Documentation Chapter 11. Copying and Sharing Files / 11.6. Sharing Files between Linux Computers
	11.5. Copying Files between Linux and Windows Computers with SSH		11.7. Sharing Files between Linux and Windows with Samba

The following sections feature various methods for sharing data. Use one of these if you are looking for a permanent solution for data sharing.

11.6.1. Transferring Files with NFS

To configure the server, proceed as follows:

Prepare the system:
1. Open a shell, log in as root and grant write permissions to all users:
```
mkdir /srv/nfs
chgrp users /srv/nfs
chmod g+w /srv/nfs
```
2. Make sure users of the same name exist on client and server. Refer to Chapter 5, Managing Users with YaST for a detailed instruction on how to create and manage user accounts.
Prepare the NFS server:
1. Start YaST as root.
2. Select Network Services+NFS Server.
3. Enable NFS services with Start.
4. Open the appropriate firewall port with Open Port in Firewall, if you are using a firewall.
Export the directories:
1. Click Add directory and select /srv/nfs.
2. Set the export options to:
```
rw,root_squash,async
```
3. Repeat these steps, if you need to export more than one directory.
Apply your settings and leave YaST. Your NFS server is ready to use.

To start the NFS server, enter the following command (as root):

rcnfsserver start

To stop the server, enter:

rcnfsserver stop

To configure the client, proceed as follows:

Prepare the NFS client:
1. Start YaST as root.
2. Select Network Services+NFS Client.
3. Activate Open Port in Firewall, if using a firewall.
Import the remote file system:
1. Click Add.
2. Enter the name or IP address of the NFS server or click choose to automatically scan the network for NFS servers.
3. Enter the name of your remote file system or automatically choose it with Select.
4. Enter an appropriate mount point, for example /mnt.
5. Repeat these steps, if you need to import more than one external directory.
Apply your settings and leave YaST. Your NFS client is ready to use.

To manually start the NFS client, enter:

rcnfs start

	Consistent Usernames
If your home network is used by just a small number of users, set up the users manually across the machines. If you, however, need a larger and consistent user base across a larger home network, consider using NIS or LDAP to manage user data. For more information on these, refer to Chapter Using NIS (↑Reference) and Chapter LDAP—A Directory Service (↑Reference).

11.6.2. Sharing Files with Samba

This sections introduces various methods to access files on a Samba server. Both KDE and GNOME ship with graphical tools to work with Samba shares and there is of course a command line tool for accessing Samba servers.

11.6.2.1. Accessing Shares with KDE and GNOME

Both desktops, KDE and GNOME, can access Windows shares through their file browsers. To access your Windows share, proceed as follows:

Press Alt-F2 and enter smb://sun.example.com/share.
The syntax of this URL is:
smb://HOST/SHARENAME where HOST represents the hostname (sun.example.com) or IP address, and SHARENAME represents the share (see Step 3.b.)
Log in providing username and password. Set the password in Step 4 or just hit Enter.
Drag and drop any files or directories from or to your window.

If you do not know your workgroup, enter smb:/ to list all workgroups available in your network.

The Smb4K tool (package smb4k) can be used to display all workgroups in your network and mount them on demand.

11.6.2.2. Accessing Shares from the Command Line

If you prefer using command line, use the smbclient command. To log in to your Samba server, call:

smbclient //sun/share -U tux

Omit the -U option if you are the current user tux. After having logged in successfully, use some basic commands like ls (list contents), mkdir (create directory), get (download file), put (upload file) and others. Use help to display all commands. Refer to the manual page of the smbclient command for more information.