Bob Shares Files with Samba and NFS on AlmaLinux

Bob’s next task was to set up file sharing on AlmaLinux. His manager needed a shared folder for team collaboration that could be accessed by Windows, Linux, and macOS systems. Bob decided to configure Samba for Windows-compatible sharing and NFS (Network File System) for Linux-based systems.

“File sharing makes teamwork seamless—let’s get everyone on the same page!” Bob said, ready to master Samba and NFS.

Chapter Outline: “Bob Shares Files with Samba and NFS”

1. Introduction: Why File Sharing Matters

   • Use cases for Samba and NFS.
   • Key differences between the two protocols.

2. Setting Up Samba for Windows-Compatible Sharing

   • Installing and configuring Samba.
   • Creating a shared folder with access control.

3. Configuring NFS for Linux-Compatible Sharing

   • Installing and configuring NFS.
   • Exporting directories and setting permissions.

4. Testing and Troubleshooting File Sharing

   • Connecting to Samba shares from Windows and Linux.
   • Mounting NFS shares on Linux clients.
   • Diagnosing common file-sharing issues.

5. Conclusion: Bob Reflects on File Sharing Mastery

Part 1: Introduction: Why File Sharing Matters

Bob discovered that file sharing protocols allow systems to access and manage shared resources efficiently.

Key Differences Between Samba and NFS

• Samba:
  • Compatible with Windows, Linux, and macOS.
  • Uses the SMB/CIFS protocol.
• NFS:
  • Designed for Linux and Unix systems.
  • Provides high-performance, native file sharing.

“With Samba and NFS, I can meet everyone’s needs!” Bob said.

Part 2: Setting Up Samba for Windows-Compatible Sharing

Step 1: Installing Samba

• Install Samba on AlmaLinux:

  sudo dnf install -y samba samba-client
  

• Enable and start the Samba service:

  sudo systemctl enable smb --now
  sudo systemctl enable nmb --now
  

Step 2: Creating a Shared Folder

• Create the directory for sharing:

  sudo mkdir -p /srv/samba/shared
  

• Set permissions:

  sudo chmod 2775 /srv/samba/shared
  sudo chown nobody:nobody /srv/samba/shared
  

Step 3: Configuring Samba

• Edit the Samba configuration file:

  sudo nano /etc/samba/smb.conf
  

• Add the shared folder configuration:

  [Shared]
  path = /srv/samba/shared
  browseable = yes
  writable = yes
  guest ok = yes
  read only = no
  

  Save the file and restart Samba:

  sudo systemctl restart smb
  

Step 4: Testing Samba

• Check the Samba configuration:

  testparm
  

• From a Windows client, Bob connected to the share by entering the server’s IP in File Explorer:

  \\192.168.1.10\Shared
  

“My Samba share is live—Windows users can now access files easily!” Bob said.

Part 3: Configuring NFS for Linux-Compatible Sharing

Step 1: Installing NFS

• Install the NFS server package:

  sudo dnf install -y nfs-utils
  

• Enable and start the NFS service:

  sudo systemctl enable nfs-server --now
  

Step 2: Creating an Exported Directory

• Create the shared directory:

  sudo mkdir -p /srv/nfs/shared
  

• Set permissions:

  sudo chmod 777 /srv/nfs/shared
  

Step 3: Configuring Exports

• Edit the /etc/exports file:

  sudo nano /etc/exports
  

• Add the export configuration:

  /srv/nfs/shared 192.168.1.0/24(rw,sync,no_root_squash)
  

• Apply the changes:

  sudo exportfs -r
  

Step 4: Testing NFS

• From a Linux client, Bob mounted the NFS share:

  sudo mount 192.168.1.10:/srv/nfs/shared /mnt
  

• Verify the mount:

  df -h | grep /mnt
  

“The NFS share is up and running—Linux systems can now collaborate seamlessly!” Bob said.

Part 4: Testing and Troubleshooting File Sharing

Testing Samba on Linux

• Bob tested Samba on Linux using the smbclient command:

  smbclient -L //192.168.1.10
  

• To connect:

  smbclient //192.168.1.10/Shared -U guest
  

Diagnosing Common Samba Issues

1. Firewall blocking access:

   • Allow Samba through the firewall:

     sudo firewall-cmd --permanent --add-service=samba
     sudo firewall-cmd --reload
     

2. Authentication errors:

   • Ensure correct permissions on the shared folder.

Testing NFS

• Bob tested NFS by listing exported directories:

  showmount -e 192.168.1.10
  

Diagnosing Common NFS Issues

1. Permission denied:

   • Ensure the client’s IP is allowed in /etc/exports.

2. Mount errors:

   • Check that the NFS service is running:

     sudo systemctl status nfs-server
     

Conclusion: Bob Reflects on File Sharing Mastery

Bob successfully configured Samba and NFS, enabling seamless file sharing for his team. He felt confident managing shared resources for both Windows and Linux environments.

Next, Bob plans to explore Advanced Networking with AlmaLinux, including VLANs and bridging.