Gremoire

🖥️ How to Install and Configure Samba on Ubuntu ​

Samba is an open-source implementation of the SMB/CIFS networking protocol, allowing Linux systems to share files and printers with Windows and other clients.

This guide walks through installing Samba, configuring a share, creating users, and troubleshooting.

1. Update and Install Samba ​

First, update your package list and install Samba:

bash
sudo apt update
sudo apt install samba -y

Check that the installation was successful:

bash
smbd --version

2. Backup the Default Samba Configuration ​

Always back up the original configuration before making changes:

bash
sudo cp /etc/samba/smb.conf /etc/samba/smb.conf.bkp

View the backup (optional):

bash
cat /etc/samba/smb.conf.bkp

3. Configure Samba Share ​

Open the Samba configuration file:

bash
sudo nano /etc/samba/smb.conf

At the bottom, add a new share definition:

ini
[Share]
comment = Shared Folder
path = /
browseable = yes
writable = yes
guest ok = no
valid users = smbadmin
admin users = smbadmin
delete readonly = yes
inherit permissions = yes
create mask = 0664
directory mask = 0775

⚠️ Important:
The path = / gives access to the root filesystem. For security, replace / with a specific directory, e.g., /srv/samba/share.

4. Test Configuration ​

Run the following command to validate the config file:

bash
testparm

5. Create Samba User ​

Samba uses its own user accounts (mapped to system users).

  1. Create a system account for Samba (no login shell, no home dir):

    bash
    sudo adduser --no-create-home --shell /usr/sbin/nologin smbadmin

  2. Enable the Samba user:

    bash
    sudo smbpasswd -e smbadmin

  3. Add this user to Samba:

    bash
    sudo smbpasswd -a smbadmin

6. Restart Samba Services ​

After making changes, restart Samba services:

bash
sudo systemctl restart smbd nmbd
sudo systemctl enable smbd

Check service status:

bash
sudo systemctl status smbd

7. Configure Firewall ​

Allow Samba through the firewall:

bash
sudo ufw allow samba
sudo ufw status

You can confirm Samba is listening on port 445:

bash
nmap -p 445 localhost

8. Access the Samba Share ​

From a Windows or Linux client, access the share using:

\\<server-ip>\Share

Log in with:

  • Username: smbadmin
  • Password: (the one you set with smbpasswd)

✅ Summary ​

  • Installed Samba (smbd & nmbd)
  • Backed up and edited /etc/samba/smb.conf
  • Created a dedicated user smbadmin
  • Tested configuration with testparm
  • Restarted and enabled services
  • Allowed Samba in the firewall

You now have a working Samba file server.