How to Install and Configure Samba in Ubuntu 16.04

1. Install Samba

     sudo apt-get update
     sudo apt-get install samba
   

2. Set a password for your user in Samba

     sudo smbpasswd -a <user_name>
   

   Note: Samba uses a separate set of passwords than the standard Linux system accounts (stored in /etc/samba/smbpasswd). Having said that, I always use here whatever username I use for my Linux account.
3. Create a directory to be shared

     
   mkdir /home/<user_name>/<folder_name>
   

4. Edit the file "/etc/samba/smb.conf"

     
     sudo vim /etc/samba/smb.conf
   

   And add the following:

     
   [global]
     workgroup = HOME_NETWORK
   
   #(Set this to the name you want the shared folder to have)
   [share]
      comment = File server share folder
      path = /home/<user_name>/share/
      browsable = yes
      read only = no
      guest ok = yes
      writable = yes
      valid users = <samba_user_name>
      create mask = 0755
   

5. If you setup a firewall, allow port 445

     ufw allow 445
   

6. Restart the samba:

       sudo service smbd restart
   

7. Once Samba has restarted, use this command to check your smb.conf for any syntax errors

       testparm