In this guide, we are going to show Linux users how to install and configure Samba for sharing files on Linux Mint. Samba is an open-source implementation of the Server Message Block (SMB) and Common Internet File System (CIFS) protocols that provides file and print services between clients across various operating systems. Samba makes it possible to share files between Linux and Windows operating systems. In our case here, Linux Mint will be Samba server.
Install Samba on Linux Mint
We start by installing required samba packages on Linux Mint. This is done using apt command line package manager.
sudo apt-get -y update
sudo apt-get -y install samba vimConfigure Samba share on Linux Mint
Samba configuration file is located in /etc/samba/smb.conf. Any changes made to this file requires Samba daemon to be restarted. Let’s start by creating a directory to be shared with Samba. The directory must exist before it can be configured in smb.conf. Let’s create one under /home and allow it to be readable and writable by all users.
sudo mkdir -p /home/share
sudo chmod 777 /home/shareNow open Samba configuration file to make the necessary changes.
sudo vim /etc/samba/smb.confEnsure you have the content as shown under global settings.
Vim usage:
- Press ‘i‘ to enter insert mode to edit the file.
- Press ‘esc‘ to exit insert mode.
- Enter ‘:wq‘ to save and quit.
[global]
# Configure correct UTP
unix charset = UTF-8
# Change this to the workgroup/NT-domain name your Samba server will be part of
workgroup = WORKGROUP
server min protocol = NT1
ntlm auth = yes
#interfaces = 127.0.0.0/8 eth0
bind interfaces only = yes
# Set share configuration at the end
[Docs]
path = /home/share
writable = yes
guest ok = yes
guest only = yes
create mode = 0777
directory mode = 0777Configuration details:
- Docs – Samba share name
- path = /home/share – Directory to share
- guest ok = yes – Turn on guest share
- guest only = yes – All protected as guests
- writable = yes – Set share directory as writable
- create mode = 0777 & directory mode = 0777 – Allow access to all
Configure Secure Samba Share
We need to give group ownership to Samba shared directory to sambashare group:
sudo chgrp sambashare /home/shareNow create samba share user, replacing user1 with your user name:
sudo useradd -M -d /home/share/user1 -s /usr/sbin/nologin -G sambashare user1
sudo mkdir /home/share/user1
sudo chown user1:sambashare /home/share/user1
sudo chmod 2770 /home/share/user1
sudo smbpasswd -a user1
sudo smbpasswd -e user1We created a user’s home directory inside Samba share parent directory and set ownership to the samba share group. Let’s create another user.
sudo useradd -M -d /home/share/smbadmin -s /usr/sbin/nologin -G sambashare smbadmin
sudo mkdir /home/share/smbadmin
sudo smbpasswd -a smbadmin
sudo smbpasswd -e smbadmin
sudo chown smbadmin:sambashare /home/share/smbadmin
sudo chmod 2770 /home/share/smbadminConfigure secure sambashare
Open samba configuration file and add the following contents:
sudo vim /etc/samba/smb.confAdd the following content at the end of the file:
[user1]
path = /home/share/user1
readonly = no
Browseable = yes
force create mode = 0660
force directory mode = 2770
valid user = @user1 @sambashare
[smbadmin]
path = /home/share/smbadmin
readonly = no
Browseable = no
force create mode = 0660
force directory mode = 2770
valid user = @smbadmin @sambashareSave the file and restart Samba daemon
sudo systemctl restart smbd nmbdAllow Samba through the firewall
sudo ufw allow sambaConfigure Samba client
To be able to access Samba share directory from another machine, we need to install Samba client. I am going install Samba client on Elementary OS.
sudo apt-get install samba-client cifs-utilsTo access Samba share temporarily, run the command with syntax as shown below:
smbclient //sambaserver-ip/share-dir -U sambauserFor example in my case:
smbclient //192.168.1.208/gedion -U gedion
Mount the Samba share to a directory for permanent access:
sudo mkdir -p /mounts/shares
sudo mount -t cifs -o username=user1 //192.168.1.208/user1 ~/mounts/sharesCheck if the directory is mounted on the client:
$ df -hOutput should be as shown:
To enable persistent mount even on reboot, mount the samba share in fstab file
sudo vim /etc/fstabAdd the following line depending on your mount point.
//server/share /mountpoint cifs username=user1,password=user1_password,uid=user1,gid=user1 0 0
## For Example
//192.168.1.208/gedion /mnt/shares cifs username=gedion,password=Xcqt0689,uid=gedion,gid=gedion 0 0Create the /mnt/shares directory the mount it:
$ sudo mkdir -p /mnt/shares
$ sudo mount -a
$ df -hT | grep cifs
//192.168.1.208/gedion cifs 39G 14G 26G 35% /mnt/sharesYou have successfully set up Samba file share on Linux Mint and mount the shared directory on a client. Check more guides below:
trying to follow this as new user and, well it’s near impossible.
you say to edit the smb.conf file. I enter the command you say but it won’t let me add or edit anything so how can I add the info if I can’t type anything?
have not bothered with the rest of the tut as if I can’t add to the smb.conf file I guess the rest is moot
would be nice if you had included HOW to add/edit the smb file for beginners.
Hi, we are sorry for that, we know it can be very frustrating to use vim, especially it you are a beginner. We apologise for that. In response to this, please check the guide again, we have updated in with explicit instructions, thank you.