samba

samba [OPTIONS]

-D
    Runs the Samba daemon in the background.

-F
    Runs the Samba daemon in the foreground, useful for debugging.

-s <configfile>
    Specifies an alternative configuration file to use instead of the default `/etc/samba/smb.conf`.

-l <logdirectory>
    Directs log files to the specified directory.

-V
    Prints the Samba version number and exits.

-i
    Runs the daemon in interactive mode (usually with -F).

Samba is a Free Software re-implementation of the SMB/CIFS networking protocol, which is the standard file sharing protocol used by Microsoft Windows. It allows Unix/Linux systems to seamlessly interoperate with Windows clients and servers.

The primary function of Samba is to provide file and print services to Windows clients, acting as a server. It also enables Unix/Linux clients to access shares on Windows servers. Beyond simple file/print sharing, Samba can function as an Active Directory Domain Controller (AD DC), providing authentication, authorization, and directory services for Windows and Linux clients in an enterprise network. This integration involves various components like `smbd` (SMB server), `nmbd` (NetBIOS name server), and `winbindd` (user/group integration). The `samba` command itself often refers to the main daemon when running as an AD DC.

Configuring Samba, especially as an Active Directory Domain Controller, can be complex and requires a deep understanding of networking, authentication, and directory services. Large deployments demand significant system resources. Proper security configuration, including ACLs and firewall rules, is crucial to prevent unauthorized access. Troubleshooting can be challenging due to the intricate interaction of various protocols and components.

The primary configuration file for Samba is typically located at /etc/samba/smb.conf. This file defines shares, security settings, logging parameters, and the overall behavior of Samba services.

Samba can operate in various roles: as a standalone server (simple file/print sharing), a member server (joining an existing Windows or Samba domain), an NT4-style Primary Domain Controller (PDC), or as an Active Directory Domain Controller (AD DC), providing full domain services including Kerberos, LDAP, and DNS.

Samba was originally developed by Andrew Tridgell in 1992, initially named "smbserver". It began as a re-implementation of the SMB protocol for SunOS. Over decades, it has evolved significantly, adding support for various Windows features including NetBIOS, WINS, Active Directory, and more recent SMB protocol versions (SMB2/3). A major milestone was the release of Samba 4.0, which introduced the capability to function as a full-fledged Active Directory Domain Controller, allowing Linux servers to seamlessly integrate into Windows domains without requiring Windows Server licenses. Its continuous development by a global community has made it a cornerstone for mixed-environment interoperability.

smbd(8), nmbd(8), winbindd(8), smbclient(1), smbpasswd(8), net(8), testparm(1), samba-tool(8), rpcclient(1)