====== Systems - Media Server - Setup SMB (Samba) Shares ======

To share directories and files between this Linux server and other devices.

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===== Install Samba =====

<code bash>
sudo apt install samba
</code>

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===== Configure the Samba Share =====

Edit the Samba configuration file, **/etc/samba/smb.conf**, and add the following section at the end of the file to define the media share:

<file bash /etc/samba/smb.conf>
[Media]
path = /mnt/media
browseable = yes
read only = no
guest ok = no
valid users = peter
</file>

<WRAP info>
**NOTE:** The config is:

  * **[Media]** - This is the name of the share.
    *  When accessing Samba from a client device, this will appear as the share name in the network.
  * **path = /mnt/media** - This specifies the directory on the server that will be shared.
    * In this example, the directory /mnt/media is being shared. 
  * **browseable = yes** - Setting this to yes allows the share to be visible when browsing the network.
    * If set to no, users would need to know the share name to access it manually.
  * **read only = no** - This allows users to write (add, modify, or delete) files in the share.
    * If set to yes, the share would be read-only, preventing users from making changes.
  * **guest ok = no** - This prevents unauthenticated users (guests) from accessing the share.
    * Only users with valid credentials will be allowed access.
  * **valid users = peter** - This restricts access to the share to the specified username.
    * This is the username set up on the Ubuntu server.
    * This ensures only authorized users can access the share.

</WRAP>

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===== Test the Samba Configuration =====

<code bash>
testparm
</code>

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===== Create a Samba User =====

Add the user on the server user as a Samba user:

<code bash>
sudo smbpasswd -a peter
</code>

<WRAP info>
**NOTE:**  Follow the prompts to create a password for the Samba user.

Samba does not use the system account password, which is why it needs its own password.

  * **-a** - This flag adds the existing linux user to the Samba user database.
    * This command searches for the username in the Unix user database and adds it to the Samba user database.
    * If not found, then the “smbpasswd” command will create as well as add the user to the Samba group.



</WRAP>

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===== Restart Samba Service =====

Restart the Samba service to apply the changes:

<code bash>
sudo systemctl restart smbd
</code>

<WRAP info>
**NOTE:**  Remember to update any firewall rules to allow Samba traffic
</WRAP>


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===== Check the status of the service to confirm that Samba is working fine =====

<code bash>
sudo systemctl status smbd
</code>

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