🔄 How to Set Up a Samba Share on Linux (Step-by-Step Guide)

✍️ Written by: Kiran Kumar K
Cybersecurity Enthusiast | Linux Power User | Developer

🧩 Introduction

Sharing files between Linux and Windows systems is essential in mixed-OS environments—offices, schools, or home networks. Samba, an open-source implementation of the SMB/CIFS protocol, enables seamless interoperability, letting you share files and printers across platforms.

In this guide, you’ll learn how to install, configure, and secure a Samba share on a Linux machine with clear, beginner-friendly steps.

📘 What Is Samba?

Samba re-implements the SMB/CIFS protocol, originally developed by Microsoft, so that Linux/Unix systems can:

• ✅ Share files and printers with Windows clients

• ✅ Mount Windows shares on Linux

• ✅ Enforce user-based authentication and permissions

• ✅ Integrate with Active Directory environments (advanced)

✅ Prerequisites

Before you begin, ensure you have:

1. A Linux system (e.g., Ubuntu, Debian, Kali).

2. A user account with sudo privileges.

3. Basic familiarity with the terminal.

🔧 Step 1: Install Samba

1. Update your package lists and install Samba:

sudo apt update && sudo apt install -y samba

2. Verify installation:

smbd --version

📂 Step 2: Create the Shared Directory

1. Create a directory to share:

sudo mkdir -p /srv/samba/shared

2. Adjust ownership and permissions for a guest-accessible share:

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

This setup allows guest (anonymous) access. For authenticated shares, you’ll adjust these settings later.

🛠️ Step 3: Configure Samba

1. Open the Samba configuration file:

sudo nano /etc/samba/smb.conf

2. Add a new share definition at the end of the file:

[Public]
    comment = Public Share
    path = /srv/samba/shared
    browseable = yes
    read only = no
    guest ok = yes
    create mask = 0664
    directory mask = 0775

3. Save and exit (Ctrl+X → Y → Enter).

🔁 Step 4: Restart and Verify the Service

1. Restart Samba to apply changes:

sudo systemctl restart smbd nmbd

2. Check service status:

sudo systemctl status smbd nmbd

💻 Step 5: Access the Shared Folder

From Linux

• Via terminal:

  smbclient //localhost/Public -U guest
  

• Via file manager:

  smb://localhost/Public
  

From Windows

1. Open Run dialog (Win + R).

2. Enter:

   \\<Linux-IP>\Public
   

3. Replace <Linux-IP> with your server’s address (find via ip a).

The Public folder should appear in the network location.

🔐 Step 6 (Optional): Secure Share with User Authentication

1. Create a system user:

   sudo adduser sambauser
   

2. Add Samba credentials:

   sudo smbpasswd -a sambauser
   

3. Adjust ownership:

   sudo chown sambauser:sambauser /srv/samba/shared
   

4. Define a protected share: edit /etc/samba/smb.conf and append:

   [SecureShare]
       comment = Authenticated Share
       path = /srv/samba/shared
       browseable = yes
       valid users = sambauser
       read only = no
       create mask = 0660
       directory mask = 0770
   

5. Restart service:

   sudo systemctl restart smbd nmbd
   

Access via credentials:

• Linux: smbclient //localhost/SecureShare -U sambauser

• Windows: \\<Linux-IP>\SecureShare (use sambauser/password).

🛠️ Troubleshooting Tips

• Firewall: Allow Samba through UFW:

  sudo ufw allow 'Samba'
  

• Validate config:

  testparm
  

• Review logs:

  tail -f /var/log/samba/log.smbd
  

✅ Conclusion

Samba simplifies cross-platform file sharing. Start with a public, guest-accessible share, then transition to user-based authentication as requirements evolve. With these steps, you’ll have a robust, secure Samba server in no time.

🔚 Blog by: Kiran Kumar K

Connect with me for more Linux, networking, and cybersecurity tutorials.