Network Shares

[ericscottf]

Hi all
I am guessing that if i searched long enough I'd find the answers to what I'm about to ask, but the searching I've done so far has yielded me no help. Perhaps someone can make a network shares sticky?

Here's my issue: I've got the HD200 and i want to be able to use it both through the server, and without the server (browsing the local network for files shared on computers - specifically trying to get the one that is also running sage server now)

That second bit is throwing me for a loop. I've tried making the hd200 its own login/pass (can't seem to get the authentication to work most of the time, i keep getting an invalid user/password error -- and yes, i've checked case sensitivity, and the account does work from another computer just fine)
Windows XP sp3
Standard file shares (unchecked the use simple file sharing BS)
Checked both sharing permissions and security permissions

I've even tried enabling the guest account and allowing it both share access and security access and when i do that, when i go to browse the local network on the hd200, i get "invalid directory" right after the "browse the local network" button. -- so things are even worse there!

I've gotten it to work occasionally (with its own unique login/pass), but not reliably after a reboot/remembering passwords, etc.

Can anyone point me to a step by step checklist for plain-old vanilla sharing of files? Note that i'd like to share only my media folder to make it obvious as to where to go to find the videos -- sharing the entire computer seems like it might make things messier.

Alternately, such a checklist/guide would be a great thing to make..

thanks!

[bc_can]

This thread may help with authentication issue:
http://forums.sagetv.com/forums/show...invalid&page=3

This thread explains a bit about the "invalid directory" issue:
http://forums.sagetv.com/forums/show...hlight=invalid

I have not been able to get the HD200 to reliably handle NetBIOS name resolution.
I use static IP and when I get the "invalid directory" right after the "browse the local network" button I select the "enter network path" button and type in the IP of the target PC. Works every time after that.
The "enter network path" button was added in beta firmware:
http://forums.sagetv.com/forums/showthread.php?t=38677

[ericscottf]

I've determined that i was getting the invalid directory error when i had the guest account enabled. When i disabled it, i was able to get in using a username/password i made for sage, but i have to enter it every single time, which is somewhat annoying. Anything i can do about that?

[1oser]

ericscottf,

In a nutshell, the HD200 seems to run a version of SAMBA to access and enumerate Windows shares.

So, to answer your question, yes, you can set it so that the HD200 won't ask you for a username/password so you can view your media, but there are security implications in doing this (I wish it would save the username/password for each server/share, but I don't need it to do it). If you're not too worried about security, then here's what needs to be done (For Windows XP and above):

1) Enable the Guest account (hence the security issue!).
2) Give the Guest account permissions to the Windows "server" you want the HD200 to access (varies, based on Windows version...). You should be aware that there are two sets of permissions - permissions for the share, and permissions for the files/directories. Share permissions always override file/directories permissions when accessed via the share (\\computername\sharename) but the overall permission set is a combination of the two. The Guest account needs permissions for both... the share and the files/directories.
3) Allow anonymous enumeration of SAM accounts and shares. If you're running Windows XP and above, use an administrative account and run the Local Security Policy MMC (in a command prompt or at the Run prompt, type in "gpedit.msc").
Expand Computer Configuration \ Windows Settings \ Security Settings \ Local Policies \ Security Options. Find "Network access: Do not allow anonymous enumeration of SAM accounts and shares". Make sure it is "DISABLED". (Keep it open for the next thing you need to change/check).
4) Make sure the Guest account can access the computer from the network. Open the Local Security Policy MMC (from above).
Expand Computer Configuration \ Windows Settings \ Security Settings \ Local Policies \ User Rights Assignment. Find "Deny access to this computer from the network". If it shows the Guest account, then make sure you remove it.
5) Update the group policy and make the above changes work immediately. Type "gpupdate /force" in a command prompt or at the Run prompt. This forces XP/Vista/Windows 7 to immediately apply all of the changes you made. If it asks you to reboot or log off, just say no. These changes shouldn't need a reboot (although you can, if you want to).

That should be it. You should be able to browse the computer for your media without needing a password. (I feel the need to point out that there are other issues that most people seem to have, mainly with who is the master browser, but they seem to have found a solution that works for them...)

If you have any questions, please post them here, in case it helps other people... (Maybe?)

Hope this helps,
1oser

[ericscottf]

Okay, i knew about #2, but #3 is news to me. I'll try that.

Since i only give the guest account access to my TV media, i don't consider it too much of a security issue. I also only have trusted computers on my network and am up to date on patches.

It does seem like a reasonable request for the HD200 to memorize the last working login/pass, does it not? If so, is it already on a developer's to-do list somewhere?