Configuring Samba

Mesh Hypervisor nodes can run Samba bare-metal to share files over the network—like a folder for backups. This guide sets up Samba to share /mnt/data on a remote node, showing how configs work in either a group or machine folder. Commands run via SSH to the central orchestration node’s CLI (e.g., ssh root@<central-ip>). For node basics, see Configuring Nodes.

Prerequisites

Ensure:

• A remote node is online (mesh node info)—e.g., one with RAID at /mnt/data (see Setting Up RAID Storage).
• User nobody exists—Samba uses it for guest access (see Adding a User Account).
• You’ve got a machine folder (e.g., /host0/machines/terrible-tuneup/).

Step 1: Configure Samba

You can put Samba settings in a group (reusable) or directly in the machine folder (one-off)—both work the same. Here’s how:

Option 1: As a Group

1. Make the Group: Create /host0/groups/samba/:

   mkdir /host0/groups/samba
   

2. Add Manifest: Create /host0/groups/samba/manifest:

   A MODE=root:root:0644 SRC=/host0/groups/samba/packages TGT=/etc/apk/world
   L SRC=/etc/init.d/samba TGT=/etc/runlevels/default/samba
   O MODE=root:root:0644 SRC=/host0/groups/samba/smb.conf TGT=/etc/samba/smb.conf
   

3. Add Packages: Create /host0/groups/samba/packages:

   samba
   samba-server
   samba-server-openrc
   

4. Add Config: Create /host0/groups/samba/smb.conf:

   [global]
   workgroup = WORKGROUP
   server string = network file share
   netbios name = Mesh Hypervisor-SAMBA
   security = user
   map to guest = Bad User
   guest account = nobody
   
   [data]
   path = /mnt/data
   browsable = yes
   writable = yes
   guest ok = yes
   read only = no
   force user = nobody
   create mask = 0777
   directory mask = 0777
   

5. Link to Machine: In /host0/machines/terrible-tuneup/groups:

   baseline
   storage
   samba
   

Option 2: In the Machine Folder

1. Add to Machine: In /host0/machines/terrible-tuneup/manifest:

   A MODE=root:root:0644 SRC=/host0/machines/terrible-tuneup/samba-packages TGT=/etc/apk/world
   L SRC=/etc/init.d/samba TGT=/etc/runlevels/default/samba
   O MODE=root:root:0644 SRC=/host0/machines/terrible-tuneup/smb.conf TGT=/etc/samba/smb.conf
   

2. Add Files: In /host0/machines/terrible-tuneup/:
   • samba-packages:

     samba
     samba-server
     samba-server-openrc
     

   • smb.conf: Same as above.

Step 2: Apply to the Node

1. Set Hostname: Mesh Hypervisor generates hostnames like terrible-tuneup from genid using noun/adjective lists—check yours in mesh node info.
2. Set UUID: In /host0/machines/terrible-tuneup/UUID, use the node’s UUID (e.g., 10eff964) from mesh node info.
3. Apply: Update, rebuild, reboot:

   mesh system download
   mesh system configure
   mesh node ctl -n 10eff964 "reboot"
   

Step 3: Test Samba

1. SSH In: Connect to the node:

   mesh node ctl -n 10eff964
   

2. Verify Service: Check Samba’s running:

   rc-service samba status
   

   • Should say started—if not, rc-service samba start.
3. Exit Node: Back to your desktop:

   Ctrl+D
   

4. Test Access: From another machine:
   • Linux: smbclient -L //terrible-tuneup -U nobody%
     • Lists the data share.
   • Windows: Open \\terrible-tuneup in Explorer—use node’s hostname or IP from mesh node info.
   • Mount: mount -t cifs //terrible-tuneup/data /mnt -o username=nobody,password=
     • Empty password for guest.

Notes

Groups and machines are interchangeable—use a group to reuse Samba across nodes, or stick it in the machine folder for a one-off. The nobody user is required—add it first. This example shares /mnt/data with open perms (0777)—tighten create mask (e.g., 0644) or guest ok = no for security. For RAID setup, see Setting Up RAID Storage; for users, see Adding a User Account.

Next, explore Adding a User Account.