[root tip] [How To] Step By Step - File Share Using Samba

linux-aarhus · 29 July 2025 12:15

Basic Samba Setup

This guide is without the usual explanations.
It is intended for those who just want to get it done.
Further information and in-depth guides is linked below.

It is assumed the system is up-to-date with the package samba synced

The following values are used

Item	Value	Description
User Group	smbusers	the usergroup allowing write access to the share
Device path	/dev/sdy1	example device partition path
Partition Label	MySharedData	name of the partition with the shared files
Mount Point	/a/MyShare	the local mount point providing access to the files
Share Name	MyShare	name of share exposed by samba
Workgroup	MYHOME	samba workgroup name

Create a group called smbusers
```
sudo groupadd smbusers
```
Add your username to the group
(you must log off for the group to take effect - even for testing)
```
sudo gpasswd -a $USER smbusers
```
Ensure your user is in the samba password database
```
sudo smbpasswd -a $USER
```

Create the mountpoint /a/MyShare and assign group permissions

sudo mkdir -p /a/MyShare
sudo chmod g+w /a/MyShare
sudo chgrp smbusers /a/MyShare

Enable mounting by Partition Label
```
sudo e2label /dev/sdy1 MySharedData
```

Create a mount unit for your data disk/partition

sudo touch /etc/systemd/system/ a-MyShare.mount

Open the file and edit the content of the mount unit

[Unit]
Description=Mount MySharedData partition

[Mount]
What=/dev/disk/by-partlabel/MySharedData
Where=/a/MyShare
Type=auto
Options=rw,noatime

[Install]
WantedBy=multi-user.target

Enable and Start the unit

sudo systemctl enable --now a-MyShare.mount

Edit the file /etc/samba/smb.conf to contain

[global]
	server role = standalone server
	max log size = 50
	map to guest = Bad Password
	guest account = nobody
	unix password sync = yes
	passwd program = /usr/bin/passwd %u
	passwd chat = *New*UNIX*password* %n\n *ReType*new*UNIX*password* %n\n *passwd:*all*authentication*tokens*updated*successfully*
	obey pam restrictions = yes
	pam password change = yes
	server string = My Samba File Service
	workgroup = MYHOME
	log file = /var/log/samba/%m.log

[MyShare]
	path = /a/MyShare
	guest ok = no
	browseable = yes
	comment = Share for laptop exchange
	read only = no
	inherit permissions = no

Enable and start samba and nmb services
```
sudo systemctl enable --now smb nmb
```

Ensure the service is discoverable

sudo systemctl enable --now avahi-daemon

Mount unit documentation

Other samba guides

linux-aarhus · 29 July 2025 12:25

If you have questions - please create a new topic and link to the guide

https://forum.manjaro.org/t/180315