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Asked: 2024-09-25T18:38:12+05:30 In:

How can I share a folder on my local network using Ubuntu? What steps do I need to follow to set this up?

I’m trying to figure out how to share a folder on my local network using Ubuntu, but I’m feeling pretty lost. I’ve messed around with it a bit, and honestly, it’s starting to feel overwhelming. I’m not a total newbie when it comes to using Linux, but networking has never been my strong suit.

So here’s the thing: I want to share a folder from my Ubuntu machine with other computers on my local network—whether they’re using Windows or another Linux machine, it doesn’t really matter. The goal is to make it super easy for anyone connected to hop on and access the files they need.

I’ve heard a bit about Samba being the go-to solution for file sharing in mixed environments like that, but every time I try to dive into the setup, I get caught up in a sea of configurations and commands. I even tried reading the official documentation, but it’s like trying to decipher a foreign language.

I assume I need to install Samba first. I think it comes with Ubuntu, but I’m not entirely sure. After that, I guess I need to create a share definition in the Samba configuration file, but I’ll be honest, I don’t have the faintest clue what I’m doing there. Do I need to set permissions? How can I make sure my files are accessible but still secure?

Once I figure out the configuration, how do I actually access that folder from another computer? I mean, do I need to use any special syntax in the file explorer on Windows? And how do I make sure it’s actually visible on the network?

If anyone has gone through this process and can share a step-by-step guide, or even just point me in the right direction, that would be super helpful. I’m all ears for any tips or experiences you’ve had because I could really use some guidance here!

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    1. Sharing a Folder on Ubuntu with Samba

      To share a folder on your local network using Ubuntu, the primary tool you’ll want to use is Samba. First, confirm that Samba is installed on your system by running `sudo apt update` followed by `sudo apt install samba`. This will install Samba if it’s not already present. After that, you’ll need to configure it by editing the Samba configuration file located at `/etc/samba/smb.conf`. Open this file in a text editor with the command `sudo nano /etc/samba/smb.conf` and scroll to the bottom to add a new share definition. For example, to share a folder named “MySharedFolder” located in your home directory, you could add the following lines:

      [MySharedFolder]
    path = /home/yourusername/MySharedFolder
    browsable = yes
    writable = yes
    guest ok = yes
    read only = no

      After saving the configuration file, restart the Samba service with `sudo systemctl restart smbd`. To set permissions for the shared folder, you might need to adjust the directory permissions using `chmod` and `chown` commands to ensure that it is accessible to users. From Windows, access the shared folder by opening File Explorer and typing `\\your_ubuntu_ip_address\MySharedFolder` in the address bar. Your Ubuntu machine should now be discoverable on the network, allowing any users on the same network to access the shared files. Make sure to replace `your_ubuntu_ip_address` with the actual local IP address of your Ubuntu machine, which you can find using the command `hostname -I` in the terminal.



    2. Sharing a Folder on Your Local Network using Ubuntu

      No worries! Setting up a shared folder with Samba can be a bit tricky at first, but let’s break it down step-by-step. You’ll get the hang of it.

      1. Install Samba

      First, you’ll want to make sure Samba is installed. Open up a terminal and run:

      sudo apt update
      sudo apt install samba

      This installs Samba if it’s not already on your system.

      2. Configure Samba

      Now, let’s configure it! You’ll need to edit the Samba configuration file:

      sudo nano /etc/samba/smb.conf

      Scroll to the end of the file and add your folder share definition like this:

      [YourShareName]
    path = /path/to/your/folder
    available = yes
    valid users = yourusername
    read only = no
    browsable = yes
    public = yes
    writable = yes

      Replace “YourShareName” with whatever you want to call your share, and replace “/path/to/your/folder” with the actual path to the folder you want to share.

      3. Set Permissions

      Next, set the right permissions on the folder you want to share:

      sudo chmod -R 0777 /path/to/your/folder

      This command makes the folder accessible to everyone. Just be careful with the permissions; adjust them if you want to limit access later on.

      4. Restart Samba

      After saving the configuration changes, restart Samba to apply them:

      sudo systemctl restart smbd

      5. Access the Share from Another Computer

      Now, to access the share from another computer (Windows or Linux), you’ll use the following format:

      • On Windows: Open File Explorer and type in the address bar: \\IP_ADDRESS\YourShareName
      • On Linux: You can use the file manager or run smb://IP_ADDRESS/YourShareName in the address bar.

      Replace IP_ADDRESS with the actual IP of your Ubuntu machine. You can find it by running hostname -I in the terminal.

      6. Visibility on the Network

      To ensure your shared folder is visible to others, make sure your firewall isn’t blocking Samba. You can allow Samba traffic with:

      sudo ufw allow samba

      That’s it! You should be good to go. If you run into any issues, just check that the IP addresses are correct and that Samba is running on your Ubuntu machine.


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