CIFS Services

The Common Internet File System (CIFS), also known as Server Message Block (SMB), is a network protocol whose most common use is sharing files on a Local Area Network (LAN). It operates as an application-layer network protocol to provide shared access to files, printers, serial ports, and miscellaneous communications between nodes on a network. It also provides an authenticated inter-process communication mechanism. Most usage of SMB involves computers running Microsoft Windows operating system.

CIFS can be used as an access protocol by Microsoft Windows users to access files in a GlusterFS volume. Users will be able to perform regular file system operations such as creating files, read/write data to files, deletion of data through CIFS.

Configuring the CIFS Service

To configure CIFS, you must create a text file consisting of a list of servers (hostnames or IP addresses).

Note: You can configure CIFS on a fresh install or on an existing installation on the server which you have installed Gluster Management Gateway after adding the server to the cluster.

Run the following command on the gateway server to configure CIFS:

$ grun.py <server list>.txt setup_cifs_config.py

Creating CIFS Users

You must create users and their password to enable them to use the CIFS access protocol.

To create CIFS users, run the following on the gateway server:

$ add_user_cifs_all.py <server list> <user list> <password>

Removing CIFS Users

You can delete users and their password.

To delete CIFS users, run the following on the gateway server:

$ delete_user_cifs_all.py <server list> <user list>