NetBIOS Question - redhat linux - winXP - file share

[Jay Bollyn]

We have a Toshiba multi-function device (scanner/printer) which has a controller running redhat linux (I don't know what version). We are scanning documents, and using a 'scan to file' feature, which sends the scanned file from the Toshiba to a winXP PC on the network. We are pointing to the share on the winXP client PC as follows:

\\10.133.12.228\circ

This has been working fine for several months. It stops working when we disable NetBIOS on the client PC.

We would like to disable NetBIOS on all networked PCs if possible. Is NetBIOS required in the setup I have described?

Thanks for any info.

- Jay

[Ivan Ferreira · Accepted solution]

Samba 3 Should work fine with netbios disabled.

Check your smb.conf and ensure that you have:

disable netbios = yes

You must use an alternate method for resolving host names. DNS is the preferred.

name resolve order = hosts bcast

[Jay Bollyn]

Hi Ivan,

I don't understand why resolving hostnames would be an issue, since I am pointing to the share on the winXP client using the IP address of the client, not the hostname:

\\10.133.12.228\circ

?

- Jay

[Steven E. Protter]

Shalom Jay,

Samba should indeed work right with netbios disabled. Windows is another matter altogether.

Windows can't see the target machine.

The quick fix is to re-enable netbios and restructure the windows network carefully to eliminate netbios according to a work plan that covers this issue.

SEP

[Jay Bollyn]

Thanks both,

Since I posted this, I have heard from the vendor of the Toshiba device that NetBIOS is indeed required, for the 'scan to file' feature.

Samba seems to be an option for the future, but for now, the easiest and fastest thing to do is re-enable NetBIOS on the winXP client.

- Jay