Chapter 8. MS Windows Network Configuration Guide

Chapter 8. MS Windows Network Configuration Guide
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John H. Terpstra

Samba Team

<jht@samba.org>

Table of Contents

Features and Benefits

Technical Details

TCP/IP Configuration
Joining a Domain: Windows 2000/XP Professional
Domain Logon Configuration: Windows 9x/Me

Common Errors

Features and Benefits

+ + + +Occasionally network administrators report difficulty getting Microsoft Windows clients to interoperate +correctly with Samba servers. It seems that some folks just cannot accept the fact that the right way +to configure an MS Windows network client is precisely as one would do when using MS Windows NT4 or 200x +servers. Yet there is repetitious need to provide detailed Windows client configuration instructions. +

+ + +The purpose of this chapter is to graphically illustrate MS Windows client configuration for the most common +critical aspects of such configuration. An experienced network administrator will not be interested in the +details of this chapter. +

Technical Details

+ + +This chapter discusses TCP/IP protocol configuration as well as network membership for the platforms +that are in common use today. These are: +

+ Microsoft Windows XP Professional +
+ Windows 2000 Professional +
+ Windows Millennium edition (Me) +

TCP/IP Configuration

+ + + The builder of a house must ensure that all construction takes place on a firm foundation. + The same is true for the builder of a TCP/IP-based networking system. Fundamental network configuration problems + will plague all network users until they are resolved. +

+ + + MS Windows workstations and servers can be configured either with fixed + IP addresses or via DHCP. The examples that follow demonstrate the use of DHCP + and make only passing reference to those situations where fixed IP configuration + settings can be effected. +

+ + + It is possible to use shortcuts or abbreviated keystrokes to arrive at a + particular configuration screen. The decision was made to base all examples in this + chapter on use of the Start button. +

MS Windows XP Professional

+ + There are two paths to the Windows XP TCP/IP configuration panel. Choose the access method that you prefer: +

+ Click Start -> Control Panel -> Network Connections. +

+ Alternately, click Start ->, and right-click My Network Places + then select Properties. +

+ + The following procedure steps through the Windows XP Professional TCP/IP configuration process: +

+ + + + On some installations the interface will be called Local Area Connection and + on others it will be called Network Bridge. On our system it is called Network Bridge. + Right-click on Network Bridge -> Properties. See ???. +
Figure 8.1. Network Bridge Configuration.

+
+ + + The Network Bridge Configuration, or Local Area Connection, panel is used to set TCP/IP protocol settings. + In This connection uses the following items: box, + click on Internet Protocol (TCP/IP), then click on Properties. +
+ + + The default setting is DHCP-enabled operation + (i.e., “Obtain an IP address automatically”). See ???. +
Figure 8.2. Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) Properties.

+
+ + + + + Many network administrators will want to use DHCP to configure all client TCP/IP + protocol stack settings. (For information on how to configure the ISC DHCP server + for Windows client support see the DNS and DHCP Configuration Guide, + DHCP Server. +
+ + + + If it is necessary to provide a fixed IP address, click on “Use the following IP address” and enter the + IP Address, the subnet mask, and the default gateway address in the boxes provided. +
+ + + + + Click the Advanced button to proceed with TCP/IP configuration. + This opens a panel in which it is possible to create additional IP addresses for this interface. + The technical name for the additional addresses is IP aliases, and additionally this + panel permits the setting of more default gateways (routers). In most cases where DHCP is used, it will not be + necessary to create additional settings. See ??? to see the appearance of this panel. +
Figure 8.3. Advanced Network Settings

+
+ + + + Fixed settings may be required for DNS and WINS if these settings are not provided automatically via DHCP. +
+ + + Click the DNS tab to add DNS server settings. + The example system uses manually configured DNS settings. When finished making changes, click the + OK to commit the settings. See ???. +
Figure 8.4. DNS Configuration.

+
+ + + Click the WINS tab to add manual WINS server entries. + This step demonstrates an example system that uses manually configured WINS settings. + When finished making changes, click OK to commit + the settings. See ???. +
Figure 8.5. WINS Configuration

+

MS Windows 2000

+ + + There are two paths to the Windows 2000 Professional TCP/IP configuration panel. Choose the access method that you prefer: +

+ Click Start -> Control Panel -> Network and Dial-up Connections. +

+ Alternatively, click Start, then right-click My Network Places, and + select Properties. +

+ + The following procedure steps through the Windows XP Professional TCP/IP configuration process: +

+ Right-click on Local Area Connection, then click + Properties. See ???. +
Figure 8.6. Local Area Connection Properties.

+
+ + + The Local Area Connection Properties is used to set TCP/IP protocol settings. Click on + Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) in the Components checked are used by this + connection: box, then click the Properties button. +
+ + + The default setting is DHCP-enabled operation + (i.e., “Obtain an IP address automatically”). See ???. +
Figure 8.7. Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) Properties.

+
+ + + Many network administrators will want to use DHCP to configure all client TCP/IP + protocol stack settings. (For information on how to configure the ISC DHCP server + for Windows client support, see, ???. +
+ + + If it is necessary to provide a fixed IP address, click on “Use the following IP address” and enter the + IP Address, the subnet mask, and the default gateway address in the boxes provided. + For this example we are assuming that all network clients will be configured using DHCP. +
+ Click the Advanced button to proceed with TCP/IP configuration. + Refer to ???. +
Figure 8.8. Advanced Network Settings.

+
+ + + + Fixed settings may be required for DNS and WINS if these settings are not provided automatically via DHCP. +
+ + + Click the DNS tab to add DNS server settings. + The example system uses manually configured DNS settings. When finished making changes, + click OK to commit the settings. See ???. +
Figure 8.9. DNS Configuration.

+
+ + + Click the WINS tab to add manual WINS server entries. + This step demonstrates an example system that uses manually configured WINS settings. + When finished making changes, click OK to commit the settings. + See ???. +
Figure 8.10. WINS Configuration.

+

MS Windows Me

+ + + + There are two paths to the Windows Millennium edition (Me) TCP/IP configuration panel. Choose the access method that you prefer: +

+ Click Start -> Control Panel -> Network Connections. +

+ + + Alternatively, click on Start ->, and right click on My Network Places + then select Properties. +

+ + The following procedure steps through the Windows Me TCP/IP configuration process: +

+ + In the box labeled The following network components are installed:, + click on Internet Protocol TCP/IP, then click on the Properties button. + See ???. +
Figure 8.11. The Windows Me Network Configuration Panel.

+
+ + + + Many network administrators will want to use DHCP to configure all client TCP/IP + protocol stack settings. (For information on how to configure the ISC DHCP server + for Windows client support see the DNS and DHCP Configuration Guide, + DHCP Server. The default setting on Windows Me workstations is for DHCP-enabled operation + (i.e., Obtain IP address automatically is enabled). See ???. +
Figure 8.12. IP Address.

+
+ + + + If it is necessary to provide a fixed IP address, click on Specify an IP address and enter the + IP Address and the subnet mask in the boxes provided. For this example we are assuming that all + network clients will be configured using DHCP. +
+ + + Fixed settings may be required for DNS and WINS if these settings are not provided automatically via DHCP. +
+ + If necessary, click the DNS Configuration tab to add DNS server settings. + Click the WINS Configuration tab to add WINS server settings. + The Gateway tab allows additional gateways (router addresses) to be added to the network + interface settings. In most cases where DHCP is used, it will not be necessary to + create these manual settings. +
+ + + The following example uses manually configured WINS settings. See ???. + When finished making changes, click OK to commit the settings. +
Figure 8.13. DNS Configuration.

+
+ + + This is an example of a system that uses manually configured WINS settings. One situation where + this might apply is on a network that has a single DHCP server that provides settings for multiple + Windows workgroups or domains. See ???. +
Figure 8.14. WINS Configuration.

+

Joining a Domain: Windows 2000/XP Professional

+ + + + + Microsoft Windows NT/200x/XP Professional platforms can participate in domain security. + This section steps through the process for making a Windows 200x/XP Professional machine a + member of a domain security environment. It should be noted that this process is identical + when joining a domain that is controlled by Windows NT4/200x as well as a Samba PDC. +

+ Click Start. +
+ Right-click My Computer, then select Properties. +
+ + The opening panel is the same one that can be reached by clicking System on the Control Panel. + See ???. +
Figure 8.15. The General Panel.

+
+ + Click the Computer Name tab. + This panel shows the Computer Description, the Full computer name, + and the Workgroup or Domain name. +
+ + + Clicking the Network ID button will launch the configuration wizard. Do not use this with + Samba-3. If you wish to change the computer name or join or leave the domain, click the Change button. + See ???. +
Figure 8.16. The Computer Name Panel.

+
+ Click on Change. This panel shows that our example machine (TEMPTATION) is in a workgroup called WORKGROUP. + We will join the domain called MIDEARTH. See ???. +
Figure 8.17. The Computer Name Changes Panel.

+
+ + Enter the name MIDEARTH in the field below the domain radio button. +
+ This panel shows that our example machine (TEMPTATION) is set to join the domain called MIDEARTH. See ???. +
Figure 8.18. The Computer Name Changes Panel Domain MIDEARTH.

+
+ + + Now click the OK button. A dialog box should appear to allow you to provide the + credentials (username and password) of a domain administrative account that has the rights to add machines to + the domain. +
+ + Enter the name “root” and the root password from your Samba-3 server. See ???. +
Figure 8.19. Computer Name Changes Username and Password Panel.

+
+ Click on OK. +
+ + + The “Welcome to the MIDEARTH domain.” dialog box should appear. At this point the machine must be rebooted. + Joining the domain is now complete. +

Domain Logon Configuration: Windows 9x/Me

+ + + + We follow the convention used by most in saying that Windows 9x/Me machines can participate in domain logons. The truth is + that these platforms can use only the LanManager network logon protocols. +

Note

+ + + + Windows XP Home edition cannot participate in domain or LanManager network logons. +

+ Right-click on the Network Neighborhood icon. +
+ The Network Configuration Panel allows all common network settings to be changed. + See ???. +
Figure 8.20. The Network Panel.

+
+ + + Make sure that the Client for Microsoft Networks driver is installed as shown. + Click on the Client for Microsoft Networks entry in The following network + components are installed: box. Then click the Properties button. +
+ + + The Client for Microsoft Networks Properties panel is the correct location to configure network logon + settings. See ???. +
Figure 8.21. Client for Microsoft Networks Properties Panel.

+
+ + + Enter the Windows NT domain name, check the Log on to Windows NT domain box, + and click OK. +
+ + + + Click on the Identification button. This is the location at which the workgroup + (domain) name and the machine name (computer name) need to be set. See ???. +
Figure 8.22. Identification Panel.

+
+ + + + + Now click the Access Control button. If you want to be able to assign share access + permissions using domain user and group accounts, it is necessary to enable + User-level access control as shown in this panel. See ???. +
Figure 8.23. Access Control Panel.

+

Common Errors

+ + +The most common errors that can afflict Windows networking systems include: +

Incorrect IP address.
Incorrect or inconsistent netmasks.
Incorrect router address.
Incorrect DNS server address.
Incorrect WINS server address.
Use of a Network Scope setting watch out for this one!

+ + +The most common reasons for which a Windows NT/200x/XP Professional client cannot join the Samba controlled domain are: +

smb.conf does not have correct add machine script settings.
“root” account is not in password backend database.
Attempt to use a user account instead of the “root” account to join a machine to the domain.
Open connections from the workstation to the server.
Firewall or filter configurations in place on either the client or the Samba server.

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