iX 6.5)

84 Chapter7

Samba/iX Services

Overview of Samba/iX

Samba/iX is a suite of programs which allow an HP 3000 running

MPE/iX operating system to provide service using a Microsoft

networking protocol called Server Message Block (SMB). This product

allows implementation of interoperability features allowing the system

to act as a ﬁle and print server to PC clients running the following

operation systems:

• Microsoft Windows NT

• Microsoft Windows 95

• Microsoft Windows for Workgroups

Introduction to Samba

Samba is an application of choice allowing interoperability between

Windows and UNIX-like systems. It is a group of programs that allows

a UNIX host to act as a ﬁleserver for DOS and Windows platforms and

also provides print services for them. It is freely available under the

GNU Public License. Samba allows UNIX-like machines to be

integrated into a Windows network without installing any additional

software on the Windows machines. Many different platforms run

Samba successfully; and there are nearly forty different operating

systems which support Samba.

Features of Samba/iX

As more of our customers implement and conﬁgure networking services

in a heterogeneous environment of MPE, UNIX, and Windows NT

servers, along with Netware, Windows, and NT workstation clients, the

need for knowledge in the area of interoperability becomes a must for

our customers. Beginning with MPE/iX release 6.0, Samba/iX is

available on MPE/iX shell operating system. It allows clients to access a

server’s ﬁlespace and printers via the SMB protocol.

Samba/iX is the result of porting Samba to MPE/iX under POSIX

environment. It is a solution for those wishing to access HP 3000 disk

storage and printers (both networked and spooled from MPE/iX) from

common PC client operating systems like Windows 95 and NT

Workstation.

Samba/iX allows access to these disk and printer resources of MPE/iX,

by providing standard SMB ﬁle and printer services that are accessible

from PC clients and their applications. It is available to the HP 3000

users with the MPE/iX 6.0 release.

A general UNIX program that is part of the Samba suite has also been

ported to MPE/iX shell operating system. This program allows MPE

users to use an FTP-like interface to access ﬁlespace and printers on