Case Sensitivity with Samba on SLES 10

This document (7000614) is provided subject to the disclaimer at the end of this document.

Environment

SUSE Linux Enterprise Server

Situation

Accessing case sensitive files from a Windows XP workstation with a drive mapped to a SLES 10 server sometimes returns a file with the same name but the wrong case.

Test case:

There are two files in the same directory on a SLES10 server:
- TESTCASE.TXT with the text UPPERCASE in it
- testcase.txt with the text lowercase in it

In the /etc/samba/smb.conf file on the server add the line "case sensitive = yes" and do an "rcsmb restart"

Map a drive to the SLES 10 server where the files reside using the "net use z: \\ \share command in a DOS box.

dir z: lists both files
notepad z:TESTCASE.TXT returns the file with UPPERCASE text
notepad z:lowercase.txt returns the file with lowercase text
notepad z:TESTCASE.TXT again but this time it returns the file with lowercase text

A LAN trace of this scenario showed that the workstation finds the UPPERCASE file as before but asks to open it using the lowercase FILE ID.

Since the workstation asked for the lowercase File ID that is what the server returned.

The results are a bit random and have also been seen when the drive is mapped using Windows Explorer > Tools > Map Network Drive...

Resolution

In testing this was not duplicated if the drive is mapped using Start > Run > \\ \share and clicking on the file names in the dialog.

Additional Information

In testing the SLES 10 server always returns what ever File ID is asked for by the Windows client.

Disclaimer

This Support Knowledgebase provides a valuable tool for SUSE customers and parties interested in our products and solutions to acquire information, ideas and learn from one another. Materials are provided for informational, personal or non-commercial use within your organization and are presented "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND.