In this project, you learn how to access other computers on a network using Linux with t...

In this project, you learn how to access other computers on a network using Linux with the GNOME desktop. To contact Windows computers, Linux can use the Samba software that supports Server Message Block (SMB) protocol. SMB is a resource sharing protocol used in Windows-based networking. You learn more about Samba and SMB in Chapter 10, “Resource Sharing over a Network.”

To use Linux to contact network computers:

1. Click Places in the top Panel and click Network.

2. The Network - File Browser window is used to show networks to which you can connect, such as a Windows Network (see Figure 9-10). Depending on your network and type of connection, you may not be able to access a Windows Network at this time.

3. Close the Network - File Browser window.

4. Click Places and click Connect to Server. You can use the Connect to Server window to connect to different resources on a network, including a folder shared by a Windows computer.

5. In the Connect to Server dialog box (see Figure 9-11), click the Up/Down arrows for Service type and record the connection options on the menu. Notice that the Windows share option enables you to use Samba to connect to a Windows computer that offers shared files on the network.

6. Click the pointer in a blank area on the desktop to close the menu.

7. Notice the Server text box in the Connect to Server dialog box. You can use this text box to enter the name of a server or an IP (Internet Protocol) address for a server so that you can connect to that server.

8. Close the Connect to Server dialog box.