logging on to university network

[mscole]

I have been using Slackware for a number of years now, but I am a complete noob to networking. I did some searches, but I really don't even know what to look for. Can anyone point me to howtos or other documents to get me started toward logging on to my university's network? IT here does not offer support for Linux, but I know there are people logging on with Mac OS X. How do I find out if the network runs a samba server? Are there other ways besides samba to log on? All I need to do is access my network drive, and a network printer. I already have Internet access through a simple tcp/ip configuration. VPN is not an option.
Thanks, Mike.

[happybunny]

If your laptop gets an IP from their network you are all set.

If they are running Windows servers, they are inherently samba servers....Windows uses Server Message Block's to communicate, thus the samba name.

If you are just looking for Windows file shares just:

mount //server/share /local/folder -o username=networkusername/domain

This of course assume's your slackware install has samba support....look in /proc/filesystems for smbfs...if its not there, install it in slack however you install stuff in slack.

If the printers have an IP and the IT people have not blocked normal IP printing, setup CUPS on slackware and printing will be fine.

[mscole]

Ok, I booted Windows and got an IP address for the printer, and I re-booted to Linux and pinged it, and it responded. Now I am in the CUPS add printer wizzard, and I am stuck at the Device for Printer page. One of the choices is Windows Printer Via SAMBA, which I assume is what I need. The next page of the wizzard asks for the device url, and gives some examples, but not for SAMBA. So what is the syntax for the url? I couldn't find it in any of the SAMBA docuementation I looked at.
Mike.

[happybunny]

you do not want samba.

Assuming it has an HP Jet Direct card, you want hp jet direct option.

I *believe* the right port is 9300(?) but it should auto populate that.

Then give it the printers IP and you should be all set.

Printing directly to the printers IP by-passes Windows completely.

[mscole]

Thanks, I got the printer working (the port is 9100). I'm still working on mounting my network drive.
Mike.

[happybunny]

are you having issues with the above command?

[mscole]

I'm not sure what the problem is. I want to double check the domain name and try it again. If it still doesn't work I will post error messages.
Mike.