file-sharing between mac and ubuntu-linux

I have a MacBook Air, High Sierra 10.13.1 and a Ubuntu-computer 16.04.

Both have samba installed (in mac default). My mac can reach and use shared-files on my ubuntu-computer, logging in as "guest".

The other way round does not work. The login window repeats itself endlessly. So no login possible. Not even "anonymously", so that password isn't necessary.

What is the cause of this. Does mac samba server not accept linux-clients??

I didn't succeed in solving this. Can anyone help me out?

MacBook Air, iOS 10.3.1

Posted on Dec 11, 2017 12:06 PM

Top-ranking reply

Drew Reece

Level 6

10,684 points

Posted on Dec 11, 2017 12:39 PM

Enable file sharing on the Mac & setup a password for a user account on that Mac.

See the 'Advanced Options' section…

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204445

That should allow Ubuntu to see & connect to the Mac. SMB on the Mac can be wierd sometimes as Apple had to make their own version several years ago due to the licensing of the Samba project.

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21 replies

Dec 15, 2017 1:42 AM in response to Mac_slide

Thanks, but I was aware of this article.

It does not help!

The mac can see my ubuntu-computer and use the shared-map there.

The other way round doesn't work! When I try to log in - carefully following all the instructions - I get a login-window that endlessly repeats itself. So logging in is impossible.

I'm tired of this. There is no /etc/nsmb.config file on the mac, so I don't know how to allow "guest".

The login-window asks for user/password. I did set a password on the mac with "smbpasswd" command, but the blasted "perpetuum mobile" login-window doesn't seem to accept this.

I told you all this before!

The only thing I can do is: wait, till someone in my situation - combination of mac/linux-machines on his LAN - tries this out. Let's say: for fun! 👿

(What was suggested by my reading: that on a LAN, there should be only one Masterbrowser, seems to be the case here! Ubuntu's samba-server does serve the mac!)

I am aware that nowadays internet-clouds render the use of samba quasi obsolete.

But, just for the sport, I would like to solve this puzzle.

Mac_slide

Level 3

623 points

Dec 15, 2017 11:40 AM in response to marcfromkluisbergen

I don't have that setup - but I'm sure if you created the file in proper place if that is all holding it back that it would work if done right. I know they have used this sys before with a MAC, so should not be any different now... just configure to your setup it would seem.

Dec 15, 2017 5:15 PM in response to Drew Reece

Went so far as to remove macports.

Followed your instructions.

Icon for macs "file sharing" visible in nautilus.

In my case, clicking it, to no avail: "perpetuum mobile" login window still present. Can't log in.

smbutil-command on mac still gives "Authentication error".

I give up.

Furthermore: it does not matter! Because my ubuntu samba does the job properly, and the mac can communicate with it.

Thanks for all your trouble.

Dec 12, 2017 7:31 AM in response to marcfromkluisbergen

I tried the following command on my macnotebook: "smbutil view -g".

It found my samba-server on my ubuntu-machine.

But it dindn't find the samba-server on my mac. Got the following output:

"smbutil: server rejected the authentication: Authentication error".

What does it mean, or what is the reason for this?

File-sharing is activated on my mac!

Is it overruled by the server on ubuntu? Or something of the sort?

I am an absolute beginner on the subject of Samba en yes: dont give me the RTFM treatment 😊.

Its very difficult stuff for the layman. I can use some help. And if its actually a bug, then there is very little one can do.

Drew Reece

Level 6

10,684 points

Dec 13, 2017 6:30 PM in response to marcfromkluisbergen

I'm having a hard time following.

What was the exact output on the Mac for

'nmblookup -M - --'

As far as I am aware that command is part of the Samba project tools, Samba is no longer installed on Macs as the license does not allow it (somewhere around 10.8 it got removed if I recall correctly).

Sorry I don't have 10.13 running in front of me so I should probably leave it to others. Initially I thought it was a simple config issue.

Drew Reece

Level 6

10,684 points

Dec 14, 2017 11:59 AM in response to marcfromkluisbergen

Now we know you are using the built in server please go back to basics. Review everything on Apples guide…

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204445

It can be easy to overlook parts, like adding a shared folder, enabling the user account or having smb disabled as an option.

I'll respond if I can test 16.04 & macOS.

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file-sharing between mac and ubuntu-linux