What does the parameter 'os level' control in Samba?

The 'os level' parameter in Samba is crucial as it determines the server's priority during network elections among other services that can provide file and print sharing. When Samba servers are on the same network, they will compete to become the master browser, which is responsible for maintaining the list of available resources in the workgroup.

The value assigned to 'os level' affects how Samba ranks itself during this election process; a higher value increases the likelihood that the Samba server will win the election and become the master browser. If two servers have the same 'os level', the one with the highest IP address will take precedence. Therefore, setting an appropriately high 'os level' can ensure that the Samba server is recognized as a primary resource, ultimately facilitating better resource sharing among clients.

This understanding is critical for network administrators who want to control how their Samba server interacts within a mixed network environment.