Title: Plan a Samba Share
Course: CIS 208: Linux/UNIX III: Intermediate System Administration, Networking, and Security ~ For IGNITE Review > Section: Learning Modules

Plan a Samba Share

The Common Internet File System (CIFS) is widely used by Windows computers and by embedded devices like routers, NAS devices and printers.  Fortunately the Samba service fully supports the file sharing features of a Windows server for any type of client.

Planning is key to implementing a samba server.  There are several items to consider, including the server to use, the storage media, the filesystem, the source of authentication, and the items to be shared:

- The selected server should ideally be on an internal network that is protected by the firewall from Internet access.
- The server needs to have enough bandwidth to support multiple connections simultaneously.
- It is a best practice to create a separate partition for any user writeable shares and to have a journaling filesystem.
- Decide if operating system users' home directories are to be shared.

A key decision is what will provide the user authentication.

- One option is to use share authentication which is then configured in the samba configuration files.
- A second option is to create local samba users which may coincide with local users on the operating system.
- A third option is to use a Windows AD server for authentication, using its users and passwords.

It is not possible to use a combination of these options.