How To Install Samba on Ubuntu 20.04 LTS

Tutorial To Install Samba On Ubuntu 20.04 LTS

Samba is a free software re-implementation or open-source implementation of the SMB networking protocol. It was originally developed by Andrew Tridgell. It can function both as a domain controller or as a regular domain member.

In this tutorial, we will install Samba On Ubuntu 20.04 LTS and also configure it with Windows 10.

How To Install Samba on Ubuntu 20.04 LTS

With the help of Samba, We can share our share files with Windows systems. In this tutorial, we are using Windows 10.  We need to name our workgroup and here we are going with the default Windows workgroup and that is WORKGROUP.

For this tutorial, we’re going to be using a 192.168.2.0/24 network. Our Ubuntu 20.04 LTS will be using 192.168.2.1, While Windows 10 will be using 192.169.2.2.

At first, we need to add Ubuntu 20.04 LTS to the Windows host file. To do this, run the following command in Windows:

notepad C:\\Windows\System32\drivers\etc\hosts

Now, you need to add the local entry for the Ubuntu to be referenced by the named ubuntu2004 and save it.

192.168.1.3            ubuntu2004.localhost           ubuntu2004

Now, we have to add the Windows system name in the Ubuntu host file too. Run the commands below and type the IP with the hostname of Windows, save the file, and exit.

sudo nano /etc/hosts

Now, we need to enable file-sharing. Run the following commands in Windows with administrative privilege.

netsh advfirewall firewall set rule group="File and Printer Sharing" new enable=Yes
netsh advfirewall firewall set rule group="Network Discovery" new enable=Yes

Install Samba On Ubuntu 20.04 LTS

Run the following commands:

sudo apt update
sudo apt install samba

To verify the Samba services are running:

sudo systemctl status smbd

Let’s configure the Samba public share now.

Run the following command to open Samba configuration file by running the commands below. You should keep the backup of the file before editing.

sudo nano /etc/samba/smb.conf

Add the following line in

workgroup = WORKGROUP
   netbios name = ubuntu2004
   security = user
   proxy = no
   map to guest = bad user
.
.

interfaces = 127.0.0.0/8 eth0
.
.

server role = standalone server
obey pam restrictions = yes
.
.

[public]
   path = /samba/public
   browseable = yes
   guest ok = yes
   guest only = yes
   read only = no
   force user = nobody
   force create mode = 0777
   force directory mode = 0777

Now restart Samba services.

sudo systemctl restart smbd

You need to create a public folder where everyone should have access.

sudo mkdir -p /samba/public

Restart the Samba server. You can see the shared folder in Windows 10 or whatever Windows you are using.