MacBook Pro on Windows network with SMB

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Level 1

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MacBook Pro on Windows network with SMB

I'm trying to introduce Mac to my new company with a Windows network. The IT guy could not connect my new MacBook Pro to the internal network. Apple has come back saying that the problem is with SMB (Server Message Block signing) being enabled in the Windows network, that OS X doesn't support it. They suggested disabling SMB on the network in order to make my Mac work. But that would create network vulnerability which IT does not want. Can anybody confirm the SMB problem in OS X, or suggest an alternative way to acces the Windows network, or provide some hope that SMB will eventually be supportes in OS X...? Without resolution, I have to use XP (via BootCamp) at work, and Mac only at home...bummer...

iMac G4, iBook, MacBookPro, Mac OS X (10.4.7)

Posted on Sep 9, 2006 7:03 AM

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Answer 1

WBW

Level 4

1,265 points

Sep 9, 2006 10:04 AM in response to PKinVA

SMB is the protocol used by Windows to share files and printers. It is supported by OS X.

Could it be possible you did not understand what was the problem? More details would help.

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Answer 2

igrok-mac

Level 3

947 points

Sep 9, 2006 9:39 PM in response to PKinVA

If they thought the Mac did not support SMB, they were wrong.

For you to access a windows network, you'll have to turn on SMB and you may have to specify the workgroup. Just go to Directory Access, which is in Applications-->Utilities, and click the box next to SMB/CFS to turn it on. Click configure and you can specify a workgroup name to join. I think the default name is "workgroup" but I don't remember.

To allow others to mount a share from your computer, just go to System Prefs-->Sharing and look on the Services tab, where you'll see "windows sharing". If you turn it on, your Mac should be recognized by the network. For you to mount network drives, you just go to the finder, and you may be surprised to find network shares by clicking on network in the sidebar. Or you might just hit command-K (or Connect to Server from the Go menu), and either browse to find a share, or specify the ip address directly.

I hope I got that right -- I really ought to be sleeping....

Mark

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Answer 3

PKinVA Author

Level 1

0 points

Sep 11, 2006 7:13 AM in response to WBW

Here is the reply from Apple:
"Thank you for contacting Apple.

My counterparts in engineering have determined why the MacBook Pro is unable to access your server. Your server is set up for SMB signing which Mac OS X does not support. For information on how to disable this, see the MicroSoft article:

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;887429 "
So, does it maybe have something to do with the "signing" aspect of this? And, what's the effect of "turning it off" as they suggest?

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Answer 4

PKinVA Author

Level 1

0 points

Sep 11, 2006 7:14 AM in response to igrok-mac

Thanks.
I checked these two things (set SMB/CIFS and Windows Sharing) and they were already set as you described.

See my recent reply with Apple's comments.

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Answer 5

Sep 11, 2006 8:00 AM in response to PKinVA

Thursby Systems has 2 software products Dave and Admit. Either one installed on your Mac will allow access to the Windows network, shared printers and files. I have used it for 4 years. Universal version is available. No changes in either your settings or the windows server should be necessary as far as I know. You will not be able to send Email using Mail but browser based send and receive works fine.

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