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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

21 replies

Dec 14, 2017 8:24 PM in response to Drew Reece

Dear Drew,

This is very helpful information, indeed.

I'll take my time to sort it out. As I said: samba is new to me and I have to do some reading. (And I am not sure I will ever understand it.)

I'll let you know whenever I succeed logging in from my ubuntu.

Off topic:

I'm Flemish and a member of the FlemishOperaCompany.

Guess who is directing Verdi's Falstaff at the moment?

Christoph Walz! (You know: "Hans Landa" in "Inglorious ********").

Thanks a lot for your help till now. Finding out I inadvertently installed samba3 via macports was crucial.

It's like a detective story. Probably with a happy end?!

Greetings,

Marc.

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

605 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.

Drew Reece

Level 6

10,660 points

Dec 15, 2017 11:53 AM in response to marcfromkluisbergen

marcfromkluisbergen wrote:

…

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

Guest access is enabled by editing System Preferences > Users & groups, select the guest account, enable the 'allow guests to access shared folders' option.

marcfromkluisbergen wrote:

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 don't think smbpasswd is part of Apples server, the online manual I found has the line "This tool is part of the samba suite" meaning it will not do anything with Apples server. I also do not have that tool on macOS as I never installed samba. smbutil is the tool to control the server on macOS.

Sorry this is not working but you are still trying to use the wrong tools to alter the Apple server. That will never work.

If you want true control over file sharing users on a Mac Apple sell macOS server (in the App store) for that purpose. On the macOS client (just the OS everyone buys) you control users via the System Preferences > Users & groups panel. You don't need the server app to share files, it just helps with guest or extra layers of complex user config.

I shall post additional info on my test in a moment, just trying to organise these posts in a clear way to make it easier to reply with correct context.

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.

Mac_slide

Level 3

605 points

Dec 14, 2017 9:33 PM in response to marcfromkluisbergen

https://support.apple.com/kb/PH25269?locale=en_US

file-sharing between mac and ubuntu-linux