Topic: admin permission to all user home folders

[David Trask]

I apologize if this is a newbie question.  I am testing e-smith server to replace my Win2K server before schools starts up again in September.  This server will be used in a public school setting and I need to be able to see and manipulate files and folders for all users without having to login as them each time I want to do something...I'd also like to be able to use a GUI such as Network neighborhood although I'll settle for a Linux alternative as well.  Is there a way to set the permissions so these files and folders will show up for admin or some other user account I designate as the "superuser" or something?  Any ideas?  It's my last hurdle before I chuck Win2k and make the definitive move.  (PS...if it makes any difference...I'm using it simply as a file server at this point...I have the home dirs mapped to "my computer" on Win 98 destops using netlogon so the kids can save file to their respective home folders)  Thanks for whatever suggestions you may have.

[Des Dougan]

One way of doing it would be to set up an ibay with all the directories you want to manage hanging off it. You could then map each of these as the appropriate student's home directory using NETLOGON.BAT, and map the root directory to admin. You'd then have them not being able to see the other directories, but able to access their own.

There are probably better ways, but that's what springs to mind.


Des Dougan

[Graeme Robinson]

Des, this won't work as you can't map a directory within a share.
David, the way to fix this problem is to make yourself a memeber of each group - that way you'll have permissions to see all the group shares.
If you also want access to a users home directories from a win computer you won't be able to without logging in as that user.  I suggest you install a ssh client on your win computer and access the files via commandline.  You might try using midnight commander (see the howto) as that might make it a bit easier for you.  It is a file manager.
Good luck.

[David Trask]

Actually I got  the answer I was looking for from Ronald Tanis on the gen discussion board....I needed to edit /ect/samba/smb.conf   here's what he said and it worked...

[home_shares]
comment = home_directories
path = /home
valid users = admin root your_user_name
admin users = admin root your_username
write list = admin root your_user_name
public = no
writable = yes

Thanks for your help.

David

[Des Dougan]

Editing smb.conf is a _bad thing_ in e-smith. Take a look at the customization pages at e-smith.org. There is information about e-smith's template system there, and how it should be used. It uses smb.conf as an example, so you have a head start.

Good luck,

Des Dougan

[David Trask]

Good point.  I made the changes accordingly using the templates file instructions.  Thanks for the heads up....I found that not using the templates made it so it didn't stick....but using the templates...it does.

Thanks again.

David