How to set up a Samba Server

Setting up a samba server on your NetBSD box for WindowsXP clients is really simple.

Install samba via pkgsrc:

# cd /usr/pkgsrc/net/samba
# make install clean

Start the services via /etc/inetd.conf then uncomment the next two lines.

#netbios-ssn stream tcp nowait root /usr/pkg/sbin/smbd
#netbios-ns dgram udp wait root /usr/pkg/sbin/nmbd

Change it to this:

netbios-ssn stream tcp nowait root /usr/pkg/sbin/smbd
netbios-ns dgram udp wait root /usr/pkg/sbin/nmbd

Save the changes and restart inetd:

/etc/rc.d/inetd restart

Now add the following lines to /etc/rc.conf:

smbd=YES
nmbd=YES
samba=YES

You have to create a /usr/pkg/etc/samba/smb.conf with the following basic configuration:

workgroup="some_group"
server string="NetBSD Samba Server"
hosts allow = 192.168.1. , 192.168.0.
encrypt passwords = yes

[shared]
comment = Shared
path = /home/ficovh/mp3
browseable = yes
writable = no
valid users = samba

Add a valid user to the NetBSD system:

# useradd samba

Add a windows user to samba and set the password:

# smbpasswd -a -U samba

Now test the server with your Windows machine.

You can also browse the content from a windows machine with NetBSD smbclient:

# smbclient //ip_windows/shared_name_resource

ip_windows is the IP for the windows machine and shared_name_resource is the directory shared.

You can also test if your local samba server is working.

# smbclient -Usamba -L localhost

Thats it, a basic samba server on your NetBSD box.

See also