Cross-Platform Sharing Using Samba (Linux and Windows)

1. Install Samba Service

sudo apt update
sudo apt install samba samba-common smbclient  # Install core packages

2. Configure Samba Service

Start and set the service to launch on boot:

sudo systemctl start smbd nmbd  # Start smbd and nmbd services
sudo systemctl enable smbd nmbd  # Set to launch on boot

Create a shared directory and set permissions:

sudo mkdir /shared_folder  # Create shared directory
sudo chmod 777 /shared_folder  # Grant full read/write permissions (refine permissions for production)

Add Samba user and password:

sudo smbpasswd -a your_username  # Add system user to Samba (password required)

Edit Samba configuration file:

sudo nano /etc/samba/smb.conf

Add the following content at the end of the file:

[Shared]
   path = /shared_folder
   valid users = your_username
   browseable = yes
   writable = yes
   guest ok = no  # Disable anonymous access
   create mask = 0777
   directory mask = 0777

Restart the service to apply changes:

sudo systemctl restart smbd nmbd

3. Firewall Configuration (if enabled)

sudo ufw allow samba  # Allow Samba through the firewall

4. Client Access

Linux Client:

smbclient //server_IP/Shared -U your_username  # Command line access
# Or mount to local directory:
sudo mount -t cifs //server_IP/Shared /mnt/samba_share -o username=your_username,password=your_password

Windows Client:

• Open Explorer, enter \\server_IP in the address bar, and enter Samba username and password to access.

• Or map as a network drive.