Error occurs when you configure IIS to use a Samba network share as its root (256322)

We strongly recommend that all users upgrade to Microsoft Internet Information Services (IIS) version 6.0 running on Microsoft Windows Server 2003. IIS 6.0 significantly increases Web infrastructure security. For more information about IIS security-related topics, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/prodtech/IIS.mspx

SYMPTOMS

When you try to specify a Samba network share for an IIS virtual directory root or Web site root, the Microsoft Management Console (MMC) generates an "Access is Denied" error message, and the new virtual directory or site has a stop sign icon next to it. However, if you use the NET command, you can map a drive letter to the Samba network share with no problems.

When there is no network connection open, IIS cannot list the files, and the "Access is Denied" error message occurs even though the user has root access to the share and its contents.

When a network connection is open, IIS can then list the contents of the share, but a user cannot browse to the default file. (A stop sign icon still appears next to the virtual directory.)

If you map a drive letter to the share, and IIS is configured to search for the mapping, a user can successfully browse to that site. (A stop sign icon still appears next to the virtual directory.)

WORKAROUND

To work around this problem, do the following:

Map a drive letter to \\servername\iisroot using "root" and "password."
In the Samba virtual directory, change the home directory from Share on Another Computer to Local Directory, and then specify the drive letter that you mapped in step 1.
Restart the Web site, and then test it by browsing.

Note This method involves a security risk because the user who created the mapping must remain logged on to the local console. Therefore, the only security is by locking the computer.

MORE INFORMATION