How to setup Samba (file server)

This Instructable will guide you through configuring Samba

This Instructable is based on Linux Ubuntu 9.04. The instructions on setting it up with newer versions will be pretty much identical

I will focus on just setting up a file server in this Instructable, although Samba can be expanded to run as an Active Domain Controller for Windows and a lot more

Step 1: Background on Samba

Samba is an Open Source/Free Software suite that provides seamless file and print services to SMB/CIFS clients. Samba is freely available, unlike other SMB/CIFS implementations, and allows for interoperability between Linux/Unix servers and Windows-based clients.

Samba-3 by Example explains further, saying:

Samba is software that can be run on a platform other than Microsoft Windows, for example, UNIX, Linux, IBM System 390, OpenVMS, and other operating systems. Samba uses the TCP/IP protocol that is installed on the host server. When correctly configured, it allows that host to interact with a Microsoft Windows client or server as if it is a Windows file and print server.

From The Official Samba HOWTO:

The goal behind the project is one of removing barriers to interoperability.

Samba is a software package that gives network administrators flexibility and freedom in terms of setup, configuration, and choice of systems and equipment. Because of all that it offers, Samba has grown in popularity, and continues to do so, every year since its release in 1992.

For more details on Samba or SMB, see:

Intro to Samba
SMB/CIFS Links

• From here

Comments

[corrysoccer16]

Ok, Hi I am new at this and I can work through the steps after installation of Samba(since you did a good job of explaining it) but the problem is installing it I have no idea how to do it.  I have only worked with Windows and not Linux so can anyone help me with installing Samba?

[thermoelectric]

 The first step is based on installing it. What Linux distro are you using?

[demodraco]

what do you do if global settings and everything else that should be in the configuration file is not there???

[thermoelectric]

What? Is the configuration file blank? Hmm. You might be able to download anotherone of the net somewhere...

[Hydroelectric]

Spelling Error: of - off

Hydro

[thermoelectric]

One letter. Big deal

[Hydroelectric]

Hey Thermo, Great instructable, and I'm going to set it up tomorrow. In steps 5 and 6, you should have put some sort of picture. Apart from that, great instructable. Hydroelectric