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File sharing problem ?

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  • F
    firefox
    last edited by May 13, 2018, 5:57 AM

    I have a computer with pfsense 2.4.3-RELEASE Installed on it
    Is there any option in pfsense
    Create a "server" to register all computers on the network

    My goal is
    That all computers on the network will see each other without problems and it will be easy to share files

    Currently
    None of the computers see any other computers or the shares (which in any case do not work)

    All computers are connected to Cisco switch (SG 200-26 26-port Gigabit Smart Switch) And the switch is connected to pfsense
    All computers have a fixed address

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    • J
      johnpoz LAYER 8 Global Moderator
      last edited by May 13, 2018, 9:28 AM

      So all these computers are in the same network, ie your lan - you do not have them in different vlans?

      Pfsense has zero to do with communication between devices on the same network.

      There is no such thing as "register" a computer on a network.  Do you mean for the computers to join something like MS Active Directory domain - nothing to do with pfsense.  Your closest thing would be for the computers names to listed in dns for their IPs.  Which really has zero to do with sharing..

      If your computer on 192.168.1.100 can not access share on 192.168.1.101 then that has to do with the file share settings on 101…

      An intelligent man is sometimes forced to be drunk to spend time with his fools
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      • J
        JKnott
        last edited by May 13, 2018, 12:08 PM

        Create a "server" to register all computers on the network

        You're talking about a domain controller.  Active Directory is commonly used in Windows, but you can also set up a Linux box as a domain controller with Samba.  Of course, for a small network, you don't need a domain controller.  Windows computers advertise their presence without needing any other assistance.  If you're running Linux, Samba on Linux works pretty much the same as Windows file sharing.

        PfSense running on Qotom mini PC
        i5 CPU, 4 GB memory, 32 GB SSD & 4 Intel Gb Ethernet ports.
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        • F
          firefox
          last edited by May 13, 2018, 1:46 PM

          So all these computers are in the same network, ie your lan - you do not have them in different vlans?

          yes  all in the same network 192.168.1.2-100

          There is no such thing as "register" a computer on a network.  Do you mean for the computers to join something like MS Active Directory domain - nothing to do with pfsense.  Your closest thing would be for the computers names to listed in dns for their IPs.  Which really has zero to do with sharing..

          If your computer on 192.168.1.100 can not access share on 192.168.1.101 then that has to do with the file share settings on 101…

          pfsense is on 192.168.1.1 and dhcp is 192.168.1.2 - 100

          You're talking about a domain controller.  Active Directory is commonly used in Windows, but you can also set up a Linux box as a domain controller with Samba.  Of course, for a small network, you don't need a domain controller.  Windows computers advertise their presence without needing any other assistance.  If you're running Linux, Samba on Linux works pretty much the same as Windows file sharing.

          The different computers have shared folders or shared drives
          But no folders or drives or computers appear on the network
          nothing

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          • S
            stephenw10 Netgate Administrator
            last edited by May 13, 2018, 1:54 PM

            You can have pfSense register dhcp host names for dns resolution but that's not what you're asking here.

            Devices in the same subnet should 'discover' each other even without a domain controller so it looks like they are either not trying or are unable. Possible the switch has port isolation of some type enabled?

            You haven't mentioned these are Windows clients, we are just assuming that….

            Steve

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            • J
              johnpoz LAYER 8 Global Moderator
              last edited by May 13, 2018, 2:39 PM

              Well what version of windows are you running?  For stuff to show in "network" windows was using SMBv1 - which on windows 10 for example has been disabled recently.  And to be honest should have been disabled years and years ago.

              If you want to "discover" them and list them use say ws-discovery.  But none of this has anything to do with pfsense - this is all layer 2 stuff and your OS and the services they use on the layer 2, be it broadcast or multicast protocols.

              Even if you register them in dns via dhcp or create your own dns records in pfsense so you can resolve them via fqdn this has nothing to do with what populates that useless network tab in windows.

              An intelligent man is sometimes forced to be drunk to spend time with his fools
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              Please don't Chat/PM me for help, unless mod related
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              • F
                firefox
                last edited by May 13, 2018, 7:01 PM

                Well what version of windows are you running?  For stuff to show in "network" windows was using SMBv1 - which on windows 10 for example has been disabled recently.  And to be honest should have been disabled years and years ago

                computer 1 windows 10
                computer 2 windows 7
                computer 3 windows 7
                computer 4 ubuntu 16.04
                computer 5 ubuntu 16.04

                I am trying to find the option in the switch that stephenw10 has suggested

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                • J
                  johnpoz LAYER 8 Global Moderator
                  last edited by May 13, 2018, 8:05 PM

                  What switch do you have - that is not something that would be on by default for sure.  And would only be available in a smart/managed switch - Can you ping the other computers IP?

                  An intelligent man is sometimes forced to be drunk to spend time with his fools
                  If you get confused: Listen to the Music Play
                  Please don't Chat/PM me for help, unless mod related
                  SG-4860 24.11 | Lab VMs 2.8, 24.11

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                  • F
                    firefox
                    last edited by May 13, 2018, 8:19 PM

                    What switch do you have - that is not something that would be on by default for sure.  And would only be available in a smart/managed switch - Can you ping the other computers IP

                    All computers are connected to Cisco switch (SG 200-26 26-port Gigabit Smart Switch)

                    and yes i can ping other computers

                    i just reset the switch to factory Default
                    Still the same result

                    Thanks for the help

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                    • D
                      Derelict LAYER 8 Netgate
                      last edited by May 13, 2018, 8:22 PM

                      The firewall is not involved at all in same-subnet traffic. You need to dig into your Windows networking and figure out what's missing.

                      Chattanooga, Tennessee, USA
                      A comprehensive network diagram is worth 10,000 words and 15 conference calls.
                      DO NOT set a source address/port in a port forward or firewall rule unless you KNOW you need it!
                      Do Not Chat For Help! NO_WAN_EGRESS(TM)

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                      • S
                        stephenw10 Netgate Administrator
                        last edited by May 13, 2018, 9:21 PM

                        Doesn't look like that switch does PVLAN/Port Isolation. Like you say it wouldn't be enabled by default and you would't be able to ping between hosts if it were.

                        Looks like some smb setting issue.

                        Steve

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                        • H
                          heper
                          last edited by May 14, 2018, 6:28 AM

                          windows firewall is probably set to 'public' or they are not in the same workgroup.

                          either way, try finding some windows file sharing tutorials

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                          • J
                            johnpoz LAYER 8 Global Moderator
                            last edited by May 14, 2018, 12:25 PM May 14, 2018, 12:20 PM

                            workgroup a machine is nothing more than a place holder for browse service has zero to do with file access or permissions.

                            Is quite possible they are in wrong network type, ie public and firewall blocking on the windows machines.

                            Linux to windows could be a problem if windows turned off smbv1 and how the samba is setup on the linux box.  What I would do is troubleshoot your problem between 2 windows machines to start with.  Get them working and then move on to what your problem might be between linux and windows.

                            A simple sniff is going to be very handy… Do you even get prompted for creds when you hit \computername or \IPaddress?

                            If not then file sharing is not enabled or you have a firewall problem.. None of which pfsense has anything to do with when computers are all on the same L2..

                            Other than pfsense handing out dhcp I assume it is not involved at all in this scenario... You could just connect your boxes to your switch setup static IPs for file sharing.. Only time pfsense would be involved is if your machines were on 2 different networks and pfsense was the router/firewall between these networks.

                            What happens exactly when you hit \computername or \ipaddress of box sharing files?

                            An intelligent man is sometimes forced to be drunk to spend time with his fools
                            If you get confused: Listen to the Music Play
                            Please don't Chat/PM me for help, unless mod related
                            SG-4860 24.11 | Lab VMs 2.8, 24.11

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                            • F
                              firefox
                              last edited by May 14, 2018, 2:32 PM

                              Thanks for the help even though it has nothing to do with pfsense

                              What happens exactly when you hit \computername or \ipaddress of box sharing files?

                              nothing happens The computer thinks a bit and that's it

                              What I would do is troubleshoot your problem between 2 windows machines to start with.  Get them working and then move on to what your problem might be between linux and windows

                              I tried what you wrote
                              Results
                              A computer with Windows 10 recognizes computers with Windows 7 and Linux
                              A computer with Windows 7 does not recognize anything
                              A computer with Linux does not recognize anything

                              On a computer with Windows 10 it only recognizes the other computers
                              You can not access shared folders

                              If not then file sharing is not enabled or you have a firewall problem.. None of which pfsense has anything to do with when computers are all on the same L2..

                              There is no firewall on all computers

                              and All shares are set to
                              Everyone has the maximum permissions

                              again thanks

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                              • J
                                johnpoz LAYER 8 Global Moderator
                                last edited by May 14, 2018, 4:10 PM

                                so can windows 7 access the other windows 7 machine?

                                As to \computername or \ipaddress = nothing..  I would suggest you sniff when you do it.  Can you resolve the computer name when you just ping via hostname?

                                An intelligent man is sometimes forced to be drunk to spend time with his fools
                                If you get confused: Listen to the Music Play
                                Please don't Chat/PM me for help, unless mod related
                                SG-4860 24.11 | Lab VMs 2.8, 24.11

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                                • F
                                  firefox
                                  last edited by May 14, 2018, 4:29 PM

                                  so can windows 7 access the other windows 7 machine?

                                  no
                                  the computer with Windows 7 does not even see the other computers

                                  Can you resolve the computer name when you just ping via hostname?

                                  I did not understand
                                  The intention to ping a computer name and not ip  ?

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                                  • J
                                    johnpoz LAYER 8 Global Moderator
                                    last edited by May 14, 2018, 5:20 PM

                                    if your using \ipaddress never mind.

                                    Or are you trying to browse to them via your network tab?

                                    Why linux can not access windows 7 or windows 7 access the other windows 7 seems odd.  I would assume an issue with smbV1 but if both are running smbv1 you shouldn't have issue access each other.  Or the linux windows combo.

                                    Your going to have much better luck with help over on a windows forum or a linux forum on access windows shares..

                                    again pfsense has zero to do with whatever your problem is… I would suggest again you sniff on one of your windows 7 machine while you try and access the \IPaddress of the other windows 7 machine.  This will show you exactly what is happening and why your having a problem... Feel free to post up here you want and will take a look.

                                    An intelligent man is sometimes forced to be drunk to spend time with his fools
                                    If you get confused: Listen to the Music Play
                                    Please don't Chat/PM me for help, unless mod related
                                    SG-4860 24.11 | Lab VMs 2.8, 24.11

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                                    • GertjanG
                                      Gertjan
                                      last edited by Jun 20, 2018, 6:01 PM

                                      @andresontom said in File sharing problem ?:

                                      consulted with the Microsoft tech support canada to know about this problem. I tried to overcome but still its a problem.so is there any solution?

                                      Microsoft - as any other site that talks about networks : you should put all devices that share and access these shares on the same network segment (LAN or VLAN).
                                      To make a long story short : the sharing protocol doesn't travels through routers.

                                      No "help me" PM's please. Use the forum, the community will thank you.
                                      Edit : and where are the logs ??

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                                      • J
                                        johnpoz LAYER 8 Global Moderator
                                        last edited by johnpoz Jun 20, 2018, 8:06 PM Jun 20, 2018, 8:04 PM

                                        @gertjan said in File sharing problem ?:

                                        the sharing protocol doesn’t travels through routers.

                                        What?? You mean discovery protocols?? SMB works just fine through routers/firewalls - if it didn't corp networks would have a hell of a time and really large flat networks.

                                        Same goes for other non microsoft/windows sharing protocols like NFS and AFP... All of them work through firewalls/routers just fine.. Lame discovery protocols are what is limited not the actual sharing protocol.

                                        You might think your helping the user understand their problem at a basic level - but then they pick that up and parrot it elsewhere and the next thing you know you have some nonsense FUD that just will not die.. Like the one where machines need to be in the same workgroup to share files, etc... This is been FUD for years that is just pure utter nonsense..

                                        An intelligent man is sometimes forced to be drunk to spend time with his fools
                                        If you get confused: Listen to the Music Play
                                        Please don't Chat/PM me for help, unless mod related
                                        SG-4860 24.11 | Lab VMs 2.8, 24.11

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