smbd

smbd [-D] [-s configuration file] [-l log file] [-p port number] [-O socket options] [--option=name=value]

-D
    Runs smbd as a daemon (in the background).

-s configuration file
    Specifies the path to the smb.conf configuration file. The default is usually /etc/samba/smb.conf.

-l log file
    Specifies the path to the log file.

-p port number
    Specifies the TCP port number that smbd should listen on. Defaults to 139 and 445.

-O socket options
    Specifies socket options.

--option=name=value
    Sets options directly from the command line, overriding settings in the configuration file. For debugging purposes.

smbd is the server daemon for the Server Message Block (SMB)/Common Internet File System (CIFS) protocol on Linux systems. It provides file and print sharing services to Windows and other SMB/CIFS clients over a network.

smbd listens for SMB/CIFS requests on TCP ports 139 and 445. Upon receiving a request, it authenticates the client and allows access to shared resources based on configured permissions.

It relies heavily on the smb.conf configuration file, which specifies the shares, security settings, user accounts, and other parameters. Correct configuration of smb.conf is essential for secure and reliable file sharing.

smbd is typically used in conjunction with nmbd, which provides NetBIOS name resolution services, allowing clients to browse the network for available SMB/CIFS servers. Together, smbd and nmbd form the core of a Samba server.

Incorrectly configured smb.conf file can lead to security vulnerabilities, such as unauthorized access to files and printers.

File sharing performance can be affected by network bandwidth, server hardware, and the complexity of the configuration.

Remember that running smbd exposes your system to network traffic, so keeping it updated and secure is critical.

Always use strong passwords for SMB users. Regularly audit your smb.conf file to ensure that share permissions are correctly configured and access is limited to authorized users. Keep your Samba installation updated to patch security vulnerabilities.

Check the smbd log files for errors and warnings. Use testparm to verify the syntax and configuration of your smb.conf file. Verify network connectivity between the server and clients. Ensure that the Samba services (smbd and nmbd) are running.

smbd is a core component of the Samba suite, which was developed to provide SMB/CIFS file and print sharing services on Unix-like operating systems. It was originally created by Andrew Tridgell in the early 1990s through reverse engineering the SMB protocol. Over time, smbd has evolved to support various SMB protocol versions and security features.

nmbd(8), smb.conf(5), testparm(1), net(8)