# Samba

***Copyright © Quectel Wireless Solutions Co., Ltd. 2026. All rights reserved.***

---

Samba is a common tool for building file sharing and access control services on Linux systems. It uses the SMB protocol to enable file sharing between different devices within a local area network. By deploying Samba locally, you can conveniently provide shared directories to Windows, Linux, or macOS clients, facilitating cross-platform file transfer and collaboration.

This document introduces how to configure the Samba file sharing service on a Debian/Linux system, allowing Windows computers to directly access the device’s shared folders.

# Preparation

1. Confirm the device environment.  
    - The device is now able to connect the network normally.  
    - The Windows host and the device are in the same local area network.

2. Check network connectivity.

- Execute ping 8.8.8.8 in the terminal. If you can see response time information, it indicates that the network is normal.

# Install Samba service

Samba is a service program used for sharing files with Windows systems on Debian/Linux.

1. Update the package list:

```plaintext
sudo apt-get update
```

1. This operation ensures the system obtains the latest software source information to avoid the installation of outdated software.

2. Install Samba and client tools:

```plaintext
sudo apt-get install samba
sudo apt-get install smbclient
```

> 1. **samba**：Server-side software used to provide sharing services.
> 2. **smbclient**：Client tool used to test whether the connection is successful.

3. Confirm Samba installation is successful:

```plaintext
sudo samba -V
```

# Create a shared folder

1. Create the shared directory:

```plaintext
mkdir -p /home/pi/share
```

1. Create a test file:

```plaintext
touch /home/pi/share/test.txt
```

1. Modify permissions:

```plaintext
chmod -R 777 /home/pi/share
```

# Configure Samba service

1. Open the configuration file:

```plaintext
sudo vim /etc/samba/smb.conf
```

1. If you are not familiar with vim, you can use other editors such as nano.

```plaintext
sudo nano /etc/samba/smb.conf
```

1. Scroll to the end of the file and add the following content:

```plaintext
[myshare]
    comment = My Shared Folder
    browseable = yes
    path = /home/pi/share
    create mask = 0777
    directory mask = 0777
    valid users = pi
    force user = pi
    force group = pi
    public = yes
    writable = yes
    available = yes
```

> 1. **[myshare]**----The name of the shared folder as seen by Windows clients when accessing.
> 2. **path**----The actual path of the shared directory.
> 3. **create mask / directory mask**----The default permissions for newly created files/folders.
> 4. **vaild users** ----Legitimate users allowed to access the Samba server. The example user here is pi.
> 5. **writable = yes**----Allows clients to create, modify, and delete files in this directory.

# Set Samba user and password

Samba login users require a separately set password. Taking the system user pi as an example:

```plaintext
sudo smbpasswd -a pi
```

Enter the password twice for confirmation (this password will be required when accessing from Windows).

# Restart Samba service for configuration to take effect

```plaintext
sudo systemctl restart smbd
```

Set Samba to start automatically on boot:

```plaintext
sudo systemctl enable smbd
```

# Add firewall rules

```plaintext
#Add allowed ports
sudo iptables -A INPUT -p tcp -m tcp --dport 445 -j ACCEPT
sudo iptables -A INPUT -p tcp -m tcp --dport 139 -j ACCEPT
#Allow client IPs through the firewall
sudo iptables -A INPUT -p icmp --icmp-type echo-request -s 192.xx.xx.xx -j ACCEPT
#Saving Rules
sudo sh -c 'iptables-save > /etc/iptables/rules.v4'
```

# Check device IP address

```plaintext
sudo ifconfig
```

# Access shared folder from a Windows computer

1. Press "**Win+R**" to open the Run dialog.

2. Enter " **\\ + device IP address** ".

```{image} images/image_TiW2bFI51omBtRxPLRUcNJoKnSe.webp
:width: 393px
:height: 202px
```

3. Enter the username and password to access the contents of the shared folder.

> 1. Username: pi
> 2. Password: The password set using **sudo smbpasswd -a pi**

```{image} images/image_JewWbYMiToXIwOx4KiZcuxCLnac.webp
:width: 459px
:height: 451px
```

After successful access, you can see the previously created test file *test.txt*.