Samba is a file and printer sharing protocol that is cross-platform allowing files to be shared between Windows, Linux and Mac users.

As is common with most Linux tasks it is easiest to accomplish via the command line but nothing too complicated.

First install the Samba package with the following command:

apt-get install samba

First we need to stop the Samba service so we can edit it configurations with the following command:

service smbd stop

If that command does not work try:

/etc/init.d/smbd stop

Then edit the samba configuration file with nano using:

nano -c /etc/samba/smb.conf

At the bottom of the file add the following lines:

[Share Name]

        comment = Share Name

        path = /path/to/share/point

        read only = no

        guest ok = yes

Obviously substituting the relevant information of your share point. This will give guest access to the folder and full write access.

Now we need to restart the Samba service up again with:

service smbd start

Again an alternative command if that one fails to work properly is:

/etc/ini.d/smbd start

On a Windows PC you can connect entering the following into any Windows Explorer window (not to be confused with an Internet Explorer window):

smb://”server-ip-address”/”share-name”

You may need to use the “connect using different credentials” option and connect as guest.

On a Mac use the cmd+k – “connect to server” option using the same as above :

smb://”server-ip-address”/”share-name”

again choose to connect as Guest