Samba implements the SMB/CIFS protocol on Linux, enabling file and printer sharing with Windows, macOS, and other Linux machines. It is the standard way to create Linux-based file servers accessible to Windows clients. This guide configures Samba on Ubuntu 26.04 LTS.

Tested and valid on:

  • Ubuntu 26.04 LTS

Prerequisites

  • Ubuntu 26.04 LTS
  • A user with sudo privileges
  • Network access from client machines

Step 1 – Install Samba

sudo apt update
sudo apt install samba samba-common-bin -y
smbd --version

Step 2 – Create a Share Directory

sudo mkdir -p /srv/samba/shared
sudo chown -R nobody:nogroup /srv/samba/shared
sudo chmod -R 0775 /srv/samba/shared

Step 3 – Configure Samba

sudo cp /etc/samba/smb.conf /etc/samba/smb.conf.bak
sudo nano /etc/samba/smb.conf

Add at the end:

[Shared]
   comment = Ubuntu 26.04 Share
   path = /srv/samba/shared
   browsable = yes
   read only = no
   guest ok = yes
   create mask = 0664
   directory mask = 0775

Step 4 – Test Configuration

testparm

Step 5 – Create a Samba User

sudo useradd -M -s /sbin/nologin sambauser
sudo smbpasswd -a sambauser
sudo smbpasswd -e sambauser

Step 6 – Start and Enable Samba

sudo systemctl restart smbd nmbd
sudo systemctl enable smbd nmbd

Step 7 – Configure UFW and Test

sudo ufw allow samba

From a Windows client, press Win+R, type \SERVER_IPShared and press Enter. From Linux:

smbclient //SERVER_IP/Shared -N
ls

Conclusion

Samba is configured on Ubuntu 26.04 LTS. Windows and macOS clients can now access the shared directories. For a production file server, configure user-based authentication, audit logging, and add Samba to Active Directory for centralised user management.