This is a new series that will describe the installation, configuration and management of Samba Linux in Ubuntu. This series is going to start with this post and will explain how to install and setup the basic configuration of Samba in Ubuntu.
Further posts will go into more details on managing users, shares, and Samba resources. We’ll also show you how to share files with other systems, including Windows.
For those who don’t know about Samba, here’s a brief summary of Samba.
Samba is a free open-source software that allows for the implementation of the SMB/CIFS protocol. The SMB/CIFS protocol allows for computers on the same network to share/distribute and access resources.
This protocol is widely used in Windows to make files, printer services available to other Windows computers. With Samba, user can enable file and print sharing between Windows and Linux computers, including Ubuntu.
And that’s a brief summary of Samba. Do a quick search on Google about Samba and you’ll see lots of stuff on it.
Now, this brief tutorial is going to show you how to install Samba in Ubuntu as well as how to configure basic settings. To get started, sign into Ubuntu and run the commands below to install Samba and accompanying tools.
Installing Samba in Ubuntu
To get Samba installed in Ubuntu Desktop, run the commands below.
sudo apt-get install samba system-config-samba cifs-utils
For Ubuntu Server, run this
sudo apt-get install samba samba-common
Configuring Samba in Ubuntu
After installing Samba, the main configure file is placed at /etc/samba/smb.conf. Using the command terminal, you can configure a list of settings into the file that will allow you to share and access resources with other machines.
On the desktop, open Unity Dash and search for Samba app and open it. The app provides a simple and easy way to manage setting in the smb.conf file if the command terminal is difficult to manage.
If you wish to configure advanced settings, you’ll have to use the command line to edit the smb.conf. That’s because System-Config-Samba tools doesn’t have advanced features to manage advanced Samba configurations.
In our next post, we’ll show you how to setup a workgroup, samba user and other fun stuff.
If you Samba app won’t open in Dash, run the commands below to install additional support tools for Samba.
sudo apt-get install python-glade2
Until then, enjoy!
Frequently Asked Questions
How to install Samba on Ubuntu Desktop?
To install Samba on Ubuntu Desktop, run the following commands: sudo apt-get install samba system-config-samba cifs-utils.
What is the main configuration file for Samba in Ubuntu?
The main configuration file for Samba in Ubuntu is located at /etc/samba/smb.conf. You can use the command terminal to configure settings for sharing and accessing resources.
Can Samba be installed on Ubuntu Server?
Yes, Samba can be installed on Ubuntu Server by running the command: sudo apt-get install samba samba-common.
How does Samba enable file and print sharing between Windows and Linux?
Samba enables file and print sharing between Windows and Linux by implementing the SMB/CIFS protocol, allowing computers on the same network to share and access resources.
Where can I find more detailed information on managing users and shares in Samba?
For more detailed information on managing users and shares in Samba, stay tuned for upcoming posts in this series that will delve into managing users, shares, and resources.
What is the purpose of Samba in Ubuntu Linux?
The purpose of Samba in Ubuntu Linux is to facilitate the sharing of files and resources between Windows and Linux computers by implementing the SMB/CIFS protocol.
How can I share files with Windows systems using Samba in Ubuntu?
You can share files with Windows systems using Samba in Ubuntu by configuring the Samba settings and accessing the shared resources from the Windows machines.
What tools are recommended for configuring Samba in Ubuntu?
Recommended tools for configuring Samba in Ubuntu include system-config-samba for the Desktop version and editing the smb.conf file directly for more advanced configurations.
