Creating a Share using Samba on VMWare ESX

[bmctech]

I am looking to map a linux directory to a windows server so I can back up the vmdk files thru netbackup. Will the Samba version that is shipped with Linux on ESX 3.5 support mapping a linux directory to windows? I have found a couple of sources of documentation on mapping linux directories thru Samba but some of the commands referenced were not available in the ESX version of linux....any ideas if it can be done? Thanks

[demz]

Hi,

Look at this thread http://communities.vmware.com/message/878127#878127

Hope it helps.

[Texiwill]

Hello,

From a security perspective, you never want to make your ESX host into a fileserver. This can lead to several CIFS/SMB specific attacks.

I would create a helper VM that has a version of Samba that you want to use to assist in this backup endeavor. Perhaps to an RDM.

If you want to MOUNT a CIFS share to ESX, that is doable, but do not let ESX become a fileserver.

Best regards,

Edward L. Haletky

VMware Communities User Moderator

====

Author of the book 'VMWare ESX Server in the Enterprise: Planning and Securing Virtualization Servers', Copyright 2008 Pearson Education.

CIO Virtualization Blog: http://www.cio.com/blog/index/topic/168354

As well as the Virtualization Wiki at http://www.astroarch.com/wiki/index.php/Virtualization

[bmctech]

Based on the feedback received...it appears that ESX is only shipped with the Samba Client and the client does not allow to map a linux directory to a Windows drive. It also looks like it is not recommended to install the Samba Server component on ESX due to potential security risks.

[Texiwill]

Hello,

Based on the feedback received...it appears that ESX is only shipped with the Samba Client

Well the samba-server package is on the ESX media.

It also looks like it is not recommended to install the Samba Server component on ESX due to potential security risks.

Correct. However for full AD samba-server is required BUT you do not run the samba server so the potential risk is mitigated.

Best regards,

Edward L. Haletky

VMware Communities User Moderator

====

Author of the book 'VMWare ESX Server in the Enterprise: Planning and Securing Virtualization Servers', Copyright 2008 Pearson Education.

CIO Virtualization Blog: http://www.cio.com/blog/index/topic/168354

As well as the Virtualization Wiki at http://www.astroarch.com/wiki/index.php/Virtualization