Install Samba: Use sudo apt update and sudo apt install samba samba-common-bin on Ubuntu/Debian, and use sudo dnf install samba on CentOS/RHEL; 2. Create a shared directory: Use sudo mkdir -p /srv/samba/shared and set permissions chmod -R 0775 and owner chown -R nobody:nogroup; 3. Configure smb.conf: Add a shared configuration at the end of /etc/samba/smb.conf file, including path, browsing, writable, guest permissions, etc.; 4. Set Samba user: Use sudo adduser to create system users, and then use sudo smbpasswd -a to add and enable Samba password. If you disable the visitor, you need to specify valid in the configuration. users; 5. Start the service: Use sudo systemctl restart and enable to start and enable smbd and nmbd services; 6. Firewall settings: Run sudo ufw allow 'Samba' on UFW, use sudo firewall-cmd --permanent --add-service=samba on firewalld and overload; 7. Test sharing: Access through \your-server-ip\shared in Windows, use smbclient test on Linux, and use testparm to check configuration file syntax; finally ensure that guest access is turned off in production environment and monitor logs to ensure security, this configuration implements file sharing across operating systems.

Setting up a Samba share on a Linux server allows you to easily share files between Linux and Windows machines on the same network. It's a reliable way to create a centralized file storage location that's accessible across different operating systems. Here's how to set it up step by step.

1. Install Samba on Your Linux Server

First, make sure your system is up to date, then install the Samba package.

On Ubuntu/Debian :

 sudo apt update
sudo apt install samba samba-common-bin

On CentOS/RHEL/Rocky Linux :

 sudo dnf install samba samba-common samba-client

After installation, the Samba service ( smbd ) will be available, but it won't start automatically until configured.

2. Create a Directory to Share

Decide where you want to store shared files. For example:

 sudo mkdir -p /srv/samba/shared

Set appropriate permissions so that the Samba users can access it:

 sudo chmod -R 0775 /srv/samba/shared
sudo chown -R nobody:nogroup /srv/samba/shared

Note: Using nobody:nogroup is fine for guest-access shares. For user-restricted shares, use a specific user and group.

3. Configure the Samba Settings

Edit the main Samba configuration file:

 sudo nano /etc/samba/smb.conf

At the end of the file, add your share definition. Here's an example of a simple, open share:

 [shared]
   path = /srv/samba/shared
   browser = yes
   writable = yes
   guest ok = yes
   read only = no
   create mask = 0644
   directory mask = 0755

Key Options Explained:

• browsable = yes – Makes the share visible on the network.
• writable = yes – Allows file uploads and edits.
• guest ok = yes – Lets users access without a password (use carefully).
• read only = no – Same as writable = yes , just different syntax.
• create mask and directory mask – Set default permissions for new files and folders.

?? For a more secure setup, disable guest access and require user authentication.

4. Set Up Samba User Accounts

If you disable guest access, you'll need to add users with Samba passwords.

First, ensure the user exists on the Linux system:

 sudo adduser username

Then add them to Samba:

 sudo smbpasswd -a username

Enable the user:

 sudo smbpasswd -e username

In smb.conf , modify the share to require authentication:

 [shared]
   path = /srv/samba/shared
   browser = yes
   writable = yes
   guest ok = no
   valid users = username

5. Start and Enable the Samba Service

Once configured, restart Samba to apply changes.

On most systems:

 sudo systemctl restart smbd
sudo systemctl enable smbd

Also, start and enable nmbd (NetBIOS name resolution):

 sudo systemctl restart nmbd
sudo systemctl enable nmbd

6. Configure Firewall Access

Allow Samba through the firewall.

On UFW (Ubuntu) :

 sudo ufw allows 'Samba'

On firewalld (CentOS/RHEL) :

 sudo firewall-cmd --permanent --add-service=samba
sudo firewall-cmd --reload

7. Test the Share

From a Windows machine:

• Open File Explorer.
• In the address bar, type: \\your-server-ip\shared
• If guest access is on, it should open directly.
• If using user auth, you'll be prompted to log in.

From another Linux machine:

 smbclient //localhost/shared -U username

You can also test locally:

 testparm

This checks for syntax errors in smb.conf .

Final Notes

• Always consider security: Avoid guest ok = yes in production or untrusted networks.
• Monitor logs at /var/log/samba/ if something isn't working.
• You can create multiple shares by repeating the config block with different names and paths.

Basically, that's it — you now have a working Samba share accessible across your network.

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