Best distro for low maint samba server

[mofg]

You did not state how many users you have so that is why I asked if it was a lot of work.
You also asked if you had to create account for every user that is why I suggested mapping the share with on account.
I was only trying to answer some of the question you asked.
If you did not like my answer why didn't you just ingnore it.

[MainframeGuy]

sorry mofg - no offence intended, I can now see where you're coming from (there's about five or six users, just to fill in that info).

[MainframeGuy]

Thanks so much Trilarian - that worked (eventually)...

along the way I managed (don't ask how) to use my recall key rapid fire and rm /etc/samba/smb/conf from my nice debian install...

this led me to try FREENAS as a "quick fix" - but it could not even find the hard drive to mount, so that was a total fail (the web interface looked neat, lots of fancy options, but without the meat not a lot of use!)....

then it was late and I was tired from what should have been oh so easy - so I went with Ubuntu server after a quick IRC canvas - and this proved to work out of the box once I added your STORAGE config!

I knew there was a reason I liked Ubuntu.

I shall come to like debian - one day, but for now I remain a bit of an Ubuntu fan, probably because of my shortcomings.

And apologies again to mofg - that was a misunderstanding, I must read more carefully.

[mofg]

No problem I was jumping ahead not thinking you would have so many problems getting it working and would need away to get it to the users. I should have explained myself better.
It is usually a pretty easy setup but there is always the exception.

[trilarian]

along the way I managed (don't ask how) to use my recall key rapid fire and rm /etc/samba/smb/conf from my nice debian install...

Installing another OS from scratch seems excessive over restoring the default config file and modifying that, but if it works now all is good.

[MainframeGuy]

Just to close the loop on this thread - their server is perched on top of the stationary cupboard onsite and showing uptime in excess of five days and they are all happy bunnies (far as I can tell).

They are also very lucky bunnies (unlike me, boo hoo) While I was onsite installing my home was burgled and four or five boxen including laptops (working and defunct) along with many other high value items, daughters DS, spare keys were stolen - I guess they'd not likely take the server though...

Only upside - I had left my main box online in IRC so was able to give police a precise time of theft from the channel part... I may consider rigging something a little fancier up with webcam next time and a server that is bolted down to retain images.... or is that just going geek paranoid crazy? Maybe just a fake sign to scare them - saying - your images are being recorded at a remote host - leave now - the police are receiving the video feed!

[trilarian]

Just to close the loop on this thread - their server is perched on top of the stationary cupboard onsite and showing uptime in excess of five days and they are all happy bunnies (far as I can tell).

That is good to hear. What will be nice is after it has been up for 6 months or so without ever needing a reboot or tech call. That should leave a good impression in their minds.

I may consider rigging something a little fancier up with webcam next time and a server that is bolted down to retain images.... or is that just going geek paranoid crazy?

GAH! I hate to hear that bud. I know I work hard for my little collection of possessions and would be furious to have them taken from me. I don't think setting up a camera is paranoid. Actually I have a few setup that are wireless and hidden. They transmit to a server I keep in my closet so not to be obviously there (get a low power one too so you can't hear the fans and give away it's location). Since my BlackBerry can get emails, I have it set to send an email if one of the motion sensors is set off. I can then make my way to a computer and look at the video feed over the Internet. Interestingly I haven't had a burglar problem, but I have called my landlord on his cell and asked him why he was looking through my stuff.