I started having a problem with randomly losing browsing capabilities. Eventually I figured out that it was due to my son's new MAC G4 computer, which was
recently attached to my network. Through much research, I discovered two things.
1. The MAC was becoming the master browser.
So my first thing was to figure out how to remotely connect to the MAC with ssh. So Here is how you do it:
2. the MAC G4 OS ( OS 10.3.x ) was really running "on top" of linux!
1. On the MAC, click on the little apple in the upper left corner of thescreen / toolbar
This will now allow you to ssh into the MAC G4 from another computer. For Windows PC's, I use Putty.
2. Click SYSTEM PREFERENCES then SHARING
3. Check the box: ENABLE REMOTE LOGIN
Apparently what is happening is that when a G4 is turned on, it forces what is known in the "Windows World" as an election. This is a complicated process that determines which PC on the network will be in charge of the "master list" of computers on the network. So when you click on Network Neighborhood all the computers on the network will appear. For a detailed explanation of this whole thing, you can go here. The problem is that the G4 for some reason ALWAYS wins the election! So when the G4 gets turned off, All browsing on the network quits.
Connect to the G4 via SSH. Login with a username (and password) with administrative privledges for the G4.
Type the following: sudo pico /etc/smb.conf. This will open an editor, and you will find a very basic samba configuration file. Use the down arrow key until you find the "[globals]" section. Add the following lines at the bottom of the globals section.
os level = 1
Press the control key and the X key. A line will be printed at the bottom asking if you want to save the modified buffer. Type a Y and press Enter. You can now close your Terminal window.
lm announce = No
preferred master = No
local master = No
domain master = No
Reboot the G4.
On your Samba Server, in the /etc/samba/smb.conf file, you will need to set the following: OS level = 255 This is the highest value that can be set, and will insure that your Samba server will win all elections to be the master browser. Once this is set, restart Samba, and your MAC's will no longer take control of your browse lists.