Samba

Samba is an Open Source/Free Software suite that provides seamless file and print services to CiFS [1] clients. It can completely replace whatever CiFS server, as well as authentication services. It can be member or server of so-called «NT Domains» or «Active Directories». It features tons of optimization and customization options and tools, as well as a web interface to configure and consult documentation, named SWAT [2]. It is known as performing faster than the original Microsoft implementation.
[1] also known as SMB [2] Samba Web Administration Tool
This article was first written in October 2003 for
the BeezNest technical website (http://glasnost.beeznest.org/articles/81)