Ubuntu in Win XP network, file sharing behind firewall?

Hi

You will probably want to install samba (allows file/print sharing with Windows), gsamba (graphical config tool for samba), and samba-doc (documentation).

Samba configuration can be overwhelming because it has so many options, but it doesn't have to be, start simple and let the documentation guide you :)

Good luck

Will these tools, these packages allow something of a secure access to the family's files over a wireless network? That is to ask, is there password protection or some other kind of protection?

There are multiple users so besides a shared account perhaps the business and family accounts would have to be guarded by password or something.

The properties are about 1 km apart and linked via wireless connection and though the wireless connection is encrypted and behind a firewall, thee family will still feel more secure if their business and personal files are securely available only to their local area network.

Also they are not computer literate so file access has to be accomplished via a graphical interface.

Also: I learned that two of the computers are running Vista, two are running XP and only one will run Linux (but that may change if the experience is positive).

Will these packages do what I need them to do? Please confirm?

Thank you!

Accessing file which are shared on Windows Box from Ubuntu is really easy and not a problem at all.
You just need to have the samba client installed (and then you can navigate your network going to Place > Network)

About security. If you share from a windows box you need to set-up all sharing option on the windows box.
There has to be some info on the Internet.

On the Ubuntu box sharing file is easy... just right click on any folder you want to share. Go to the "share" tab"
The first type you will try to create a share it will automatically install Samba for you. (after Samba is installed you need to restart your cession for sharing to work ! It's not written but it's that way because permission change need a logout / login before becoming effective)

I don't have experience about sharing printer with windows box but it should definitely be possible.

I really recommend you take a look at this https://help.ubuntu.com/community/SettingUpSamba

Hope it helps :)
(and that the Ubuntu Box will be a success)

Thank you! As soon as it is possible for me to get to the farm - I've been very busy lately with other things too - I'll work on this.

For now I'll mark the question as "solved" though I haven't actually set anything up yet, just doing homework to go into battle prepared.

Filesharing through the firewalls still doesn't work, I kno't know which ports to open. Help?

I asked this same question on Yahoo answers. on a D-Link router, I have to open port 445.