samba - Jan 2023 - Samba server options for serving Windows NT4 clients

Hi folks,

I have got the unenviable task of replacing an old samba server for a 
machine group, where some of the machine controllers still use Windows 
NT4. The rest of the controllers are Windows XP (probably SP1). As long 
as the controllers work, nobody is going to replace them, as new 
controllers cost a fortune. So, I'm stuck with what I have got.

Just for those who like to point out the bad security: The network is a 
closed one, it's not accessible from anywhere else. Also, the new server 
will only be accessible for administration purposes over a separate VLAN 
interface. So no firewalls or similar stuff getting in the way.

There is no need for browsing, as there is only one file server in the 
local network, and drive mapping will be explicit (IP-address, not 
name). There is no communication between the machines in the group.

Which is the latest Samba version I can use?

Can I disable nmbd? Can I disable Netbios in the Samba server?

Best regards,

Peter

On 24/01/2023 15:00, Peter Milesson via samba wrote:
> Hi folks,
> 
> I have got the unenviable task of replacing an old samba server for a 
> machine group, where some of the machine controllers still use Windows 
> NT4. The rest of the controllers are Windows XP (probably SP1). As long 
> as the controllers work, nobody is going to replace them, as new 
> controllers cost a fortune. So, I'm stuck with what I have got.
> 
> Just for those who like to point out the bad security: The network is a 
> closed one, it's not accessible from anywhere else. Also, the new
server
> will only be accessible for administration purposes over a separate VLAN 
> interface. So no firewalls or similar stuff getting in the way.
> 
> There is no need for browsing, as there is only one file server in the 
> local network, and drive mapping will be explicit (IP-address, not 
> name). There is no communication between the machines in the group.
Who ever thought it was a good idea to embed a computer into a very 
expensive piece of equipment was either a genius or very stupid. A 
genius if the equipment was scrapped and replaced when the computer 
became a security risk, so it was a new sale, or stupid when the 
computer became a security risk. My moneys on stupid.

Going off at a tangent, my feeling is that anything that starts with 
'smart' isn't.

smart motorways: people get killed on them
smart TV's, after a few years they stop getting supported and then can 
only be used as TV's (without the internet)
You can buy smart washing machines, why ? OK, you can start it from the 
other side of the planet, but you have to be stood in front of it to 
load or unload it and they all have control buttons.

I think you will have guessed that I don't like these things, in most 
cases there is no point to them.

  >
> Which is the latest Samba version I can use?
Officially 4.17.4 , but you are going to have to set it up correctly.
> 
> Can I disable nmbd?
No, you are going to need it.
> Can I disable Netbios in the Samba server?
That is basically the same thing as disabling nmbd, so the answer is no.

Just 'sandbox' the things on their own network and transfer data by usb 
drives or floppies (I bet they all have floppy drives).

Rowland