How to Install and Configure Samba File Sharing on Ubuntu 22.04 LTS

Introduction

This tutorial will guide you through the installation and configuration of Samba file sharing on Ubuntu 22.04 LTS. By the end of this guide, your Ubuntu system will function as a Samba server, allowing file access from both Windows and Linux clients. Samba is widely used for file sharing across different operating systems, making it a valuable tool for home and office networks.

Step 1: Install Samba

To begin, you need to install the Samba package on your Ubuntu server.

1. Open a terminal.
2. Update your package list:

   sudo apt update
   

3. Install Samba:

   sudo apt install samba
   

Step 2: Configure Samba

After installing Samba, you'll need to configure it to share folders.

1. Open the Samba configuration file in a text editor:

   sudo nano /etc/samba/smb.conf
   

2. Scroll to the bottom of the file and add your shared folder configuration. Here’s a basic example:

   [SharedFolder]
   path = /path/to/shared/folder
   available = yes
   valid users = username
   read only = no
   browsable = yes
   public = yes
   writable = yes
   

   • Replace /path/to/shared/folder with the actual path to the folder you want to share.
   • Replace username with the user you want to have access.

3. Save the file and exit the editor.

Step 3: Create the Shared Directory

Make sure the directory you want to share exists.

1. Create the directory if it doesn't exist:

   sudo mkdir -p /path/to/shared/folder
   

2. Set the appropriate permissions for the folder:

   sudo chmod 0777 /path/to/shared/folder
   

Step 4: Create a Samba User

You need to create a Samba user to allow access to the shared folder.

1. Add a user to Samba (this should be an existing system user):

   sudo smbpasswd -a username
   

   • Replace username with the actual username.

2. Follow the prompts to set a password for the Samba user.

Step 5: Restart Samba Services

To apply the changes made in the configuration file, restart the Samba services.

1. Restart Samba:

   sudo systemctl restart smbd
   sudo systemctl restart nmbd
   

Step 6: Allow Samba Through the Firewall

If you have a firewall enabled, you need to allow Samba traffic.

1. Allow Samba through the firewall:

   sudo ufw allow samba
   

Step 7: Access the Shared Folder

Now you can access the shared folder from your Windows or Linux clients.

For Windows Clients:

1. Open File Explorer.
2. In the address bar, type:

   \\<Ubuntu-IP-Address>\SharedFolder
   

   • Replace <Ubuntu-IP-Address> with the actual IP address of your Ubuntu server.

For Linux Clients:

1. Open a file manager.
2. Enter the Samba share path:

   smb://<Ubuntu-IP-Address>/SharedFolder
   

Conclusion

You have successfully installed and configured Samba file sharing on Ubuntu 22.04 LTS. This setup allows seamless file sharing between different operating systems. As a next step, consider exploring additional Samba configuration options, such as setting up more complex permissions or configuring access for multiple users. Enjoy your file sharing!