How to setup samba file server

Install samba package

sudo apt-get install samba

Samba configuration file is located in /etc/samba/smb.conf

sudo nano /etc/samba/smb.conf

Add the following

workgroup = YourDomainName (in CAPITAL LETTERS)
security = user

Enter the following [Public] READ ONLY share setting at the end

[Public]
 comment = Read only
 path = /srv/samba/share
 browsable = yes
 guest ok = yes
 read only = no
 public = yes
 create mask = 0755

comment = put your short description of the server
path = give your directory path to share
browsable = allow Windows Explorer
guest = allows clients without password
read only = yes or no
create mask = new files will have this permission #eg 0755

Give correct permission to your shared folder

sudo mkdir -p /srv/samba/share
sudo chown nobody.nogroup /srv/samba/share/
sudo chmod 777 /srv/samba/share/

 

PUBLIC READ & WRITE

[Public]
comment = Read Write
path = /srv/samba/share
ready only = no
public = yes
browsable = yes
writeable = yes
create mask = 666
directory mask = 777

 

Restart samba services to allow new configuration to take effect

sudo service smbd restart
sudo service nmbd restart

 

How to setup secure share:

Create a new folder to host secure files

sudo mkdir -p /srv/samba/secured

Create a new group that will access the secured folder.

sudo addgroup securedgroup

Change the ownership and permission on the secured folder so that only members of the securedgroup can access it.

cd /srv/samba/secured
sudo chown -R kim:securedgroup secured
sudo chmod -R 0770 secured/

Configure secure setting on smb.conf

sudo nano /etc/samba/smb.conf

[secured]
 path = /srv/samba/secured
 valid users = @securedgroup
 guest ok = no
 writable = yes
 browsable = yes

Add new user kim to the secured group (securedgroup)

sudo usermod -a -G securedgroup kim

Create Samba password for user kim and add to Samba user database.

sudo smbpasswd -a kim

Restart Samba for new user kim to access the secured folder

sudo service smbd restart