Accessing Linux Files Using Windows

Last Revised:10/29/2001

Windows and Linux have their own advantages and disadvantages, and you will almost certainly use both operating systems at some point. The SSCC uses a program called Samba to allow PC's connected to the SSCC Microsoft Networking domain (PRIMO) to access Linux files just as if they were on a Windows server, eliminating the need to use SFTP to transfer files between operating systems.

Samba

Samba works by making specific Linux directories available as if they were shares on a Windows server called sscunix. For more details on network shares and how to use them in general see Accessing Network Storage from Windows. We have established shares for everyone's Linux home directory, /aux, /project, /usr/global/web, and many other locations users have requested. You can see what shares are available by going to either My Network Places or Network Neighborhood and locating the server sscunix (how to get there depends on your operating system but it may involve viewing the entire network and then choosing the PRIMO domain). The following screenshot gives you an idea of what's there:

$Some of the shares available under \\sscunix$

If you need to access a Linux directory that does not have a convenient share established, please contact the consultant so one can be set up. Note that you cannot access a share you have not been authorized to use, so if you get the message Incorrect password or unknown username... you'll need to contact the consultant and request permission to use that share.

Accessing Linux Files

You can access these shares using either their UNC (Universal Naming Convention) names or by mapping a drive to them. For example, the UNC name of my home directory is \\sscunix\rdimond, but I have also mapped this share as the f: drive and I can use it either way. Accessing Network Storage from Windows discusses accessing shares via their UNC names, while Mapping a Drive to a Network Share describes the process of mapping a drive--it's not complicated, and once it is done you can use the share just as if it were a local hard drive.

What Should I Do With It?

You will notice that Samba shares are slower than standard shares. Thus we recommend that you continue to use Windows shares (like the u: drive) as your primary workspace.

Note also that you cannot run Linux programs this way, only access files, though you may want to take a look at Running Linux Programs Using Windows (Mostly).