Red Hat has released a beta version of its next Linux release, codenamed Phoebe. The updated version includes a new tool, called Redhat-config-samba, designed to configure Samba servers via a graphical user interface.
Samba is an open-source functional equivalent to Microsoft's Windows file-and-printer sharing software. Businesses can save money on Windows licences by replacing Windows file and print servers with Linux systems running Samba, and can also make savings on server hardware because Samba is able to support a greater number of users than Windows on a given server system. Along with the Apache Web server software, Samba is one of the main reasons why firms move to Linux.
Without the new tool, most system administrators would configure Samba by editing text files on each system running the Samba software. Many administrators prefer this method of configuration because it makes it straightforward to back up and redistribute server configurations simply by copying one text file. However, other administrators who are used to working with Windows may be put off by the text-based interface.
Web-based Samba configuration tools are available, but some IT managers are wary about the security issues associated with using them. The new Red Hat tool may provide an attractive compromise between these two approaches.
Besides the new Samba tool, Phoebe contains updated versions of commonplace Linux elements such as the KDE 3.1 and Gnome 2 desktops. Phoebe can be downloaded free via the Web link below.
