Install and Configure Samba in Ubuntu

What is Samba and why do I need it?

Samba is a free and open-source software that lets your Ubuntu system share files and printers with Windows, macOS, and other Linux machines on your network. It essentially translates between the way Ubuntu and other operating systems communicate with files, allowing them to work together seamlessly.

How do I install Samba on Ubuntu?

Installing Samba is straightforward. Open a terminal and run the following command:

sudo apt install samba samba-common-bin

This will download and install the necessary Samba packages.

How do I configure a Samba share?

Samba uses a configuration file to define how it shares folders. You’ll need to edit the main configuration file (/etc/samba/smb.conf) using a text editor like nano. Here, you’ll specify the folders you want to share, user permissions, and other options.

In the current society where things are digitalized it is common for people to share files and printers among various devices. Regardless of whether you are using a computer and its resources for personal or academic purposes, sharing files and printers is sometimes necessary. But on the other hand, it is also very simple for sharing files or printers, and at the same time, it may also be a very daunting task especially when dealing with different operating systems and devices.

Samba is a free and Open-Source software solution that allows the Linux and MS Windows operating systems to integrate with each other. Samba makes it possible to share files, printers, as well as other resources from one operating system to another read more. This tutorial will explain how to properly set Samba up on Ubuntu as well as explain how to use it with Windows computers.