How to Install Samba Server on Ubuntu 24.04: A Step-by-Step Guide

Samba is a popular open-source tool that allows file and print sharing between Unix/Linux and Windows systems. It enables seamless communication between different operating systems, allowing them to share files and resources on a network. This guide will walk you through the installation and configuration of Samba on Ubuntu 24.04. The steps outlined here are easy to follow, even for beginners.

Prerequisites

Before starting the installation process, ensure you have the following:

• A computer running Ubuntu 24.04.
• Root or sudo access to the system.
• An understanding of basic terminal commands.
• A static IP address for the server (optional, but recommended for networks).

Step 1: Update the System

As always, before installing any new software, it’s important to update your system to ensure you have the latest packages.

1. Open the terminal.

2. Run the following command to update the package list:

sudo apt update

3. Next, upgrade any outdated packages:

sudo apt upgrade

This step ensures your system is up-to-date and ready for Samba.

Step 2: Install Samba

Once the system is updated, you can install Samba using the default package manager, APT.

In the terminal, run the following command:

sudo apt install samba

1. Press Y when prompted to confirm the installation. Samba will now be installed on your system.

To verify the installation, run the following command to check the installed version of Samba:

samba --version

If installed correctly, the version number should be displayed.

Step 3: Create a Directory for Sharing

Now that Samba is installed, create a directory that you want to share over the network.

Create a new directory in your home folder or another location of your choice:

mkdir ~/sambashare

This directory will be shared on the network for other devices to access.

Adjust the permissions of this folder so other users can access it:

sudo chmod -R 777 ~/sambashare

This command grants full read, write, and execute permissions to everyone on the network. For more security, limit the permissions later if needed.

Step 4: Configure Samba

The next step is to configure Samba to share this directory over the network. Samba uses a configuration file located at /etc/samba/smb.conf.

1. Open this file in your preferred text editor:

sudo nano /etc/samba/smb.conf

Scroll to the bottom of the file and add the following lines:

[sambashare]
path = /home/yourusername/sambashare
browsable = yes
read only = no
guest ok = yes

• [sambashare]: This is the name of the share.
• path: The location of the shared folder.
• browsable = yes: This allows users to browse the shared directory.
• read only = no: Users will be able to write and modify files.
• guest ok = yes: This enables guest access without a username or password.

3. Save the file and close the editor (in Nano, press CTRL+X, then Y, and Enter).

Step 5: Restart Samba Services

For the changes to take effect, you need to restart the Samba service.

1. In the terminal, restart the Samba services by running:

sudo systemctl restart smbd

To ensure that Samba is running without errors, check its status:

sudo systemctl status smbd

If Samba is active and running, the service status should be displayed as active (running).

Step 6: Set Up Samba User Accounts (Optional)

While the guest access method allows anyone to access the share without credentials, you may want to secure your share by creating a user-specific account.

1. Create a new Samba user with this command:

sudo smbpasswd -a yourusername

Replace yourusername with the desired username. You’ll be prompted to create and confirm a password.

Once the user is created, restart Samba again:

sudo systemctl restart smbd

This step ensures the new user account is properly integrated with Samba.

Step 7: Configure the Firewall

To allow network access to Samba, you may need to adjust the firewall settings. By default, UFW (Uncomplicated Firewall) is used on Ubuntu.

Check if UFW is enabled with this command:

sudo ufw status

If UFW is inactive, skip to the next step. Otherwise, follow the commands below.

2. Allow Samba through the firewall:

sudo ufw allow 'Samba'

Reload the firewall to apply the changes:

sudo ufw reload

This step ensures that other devices can access the shared folder without being blocked by the firewall.

Step 8: Access the Samba Share from a Windows Computer

After completing the setup, you can now access the shared directory from another computer, such as a Windows machine.

1. On your Windows computer, press Windows Key + R to open the Run dialog.
2. Type \\your-server-ip\sambashare and press Enter.

Replace your-server-ip with the actual IP address of your Ubuntu system. If everything is set up correctly, you should see the shared folder.

If you set up user authentication, Windows will prompt you to enter the Samba username and password.

Step 9: Testing and Troubleshooting

You can test the Samba configuration and connection by trying to access the share from different devices. If there are issues, here are a few troubleshooting tips:

• Check Permissions: Ensure that the shared directory has the correct permissions for access.
• Verify Samba Status: Use the sudo systemctl status smbd command to verify Samba is running.
• Check IP and Firewall: Ensure your Ubuntu system’s IP is correctly assigned and the firewall allows Samba connections.

If needed, you can also review Samba’s log files for detailed error messages by checking /var/log/samba/log.smbd.

Conclusion

Installing and configuring Samba on Ubuntu 24.04 allows seamless file sharing between Linux and Windows systems. With Samba, you can easily create network shares accessible from any device on your local network. By following this guide, you should have a functioning Samba server ready for use.

Make sure to regularly review your Samba configuration for security, especially if you’re using guest access. Securing your shared resources is crucial in networked environments.

Now, you’re ready to share files effortlessly between different operating systems!

Thank you for reading the article! If you found the information useful, you can donate using the buttons below:

Donate ☕️ with PayPalDonate 💳 with Revolut