SolarisSMBShareSetup

Solaris has two methods to share via CIFS (common internet file system, Microsoft Windows sharing, smb, and sometimes called samba). It has a built into the kernel and integrated with ZFS version that's discussed here.

Additionally the "standard" user mode program samba (which is common on Linux) is fully supported and included in older Solaris versions. This entire FAQ deals with the kernel mode CIFS, NOT samba.

In fact samba is the only option if you have the first problem below and don't want to run a newer version of Solaris (i.e. OpenSolaris instead of fully supported Solaris).


The smbs isn't included in the default kernel, you can install it with:

pfexec pkg install SUNWsmbs
pfexec pkg install SUNWsmbskr

Sample Output of Installations if all worked:

bitshop@homezfs1:/etc# pfexec pkg install SUNWsmbs
DOWNLOAD                                    PKGS       FILES     XFER (MB)
Completed                                    1/1       28/28     2.75/2.75

PHASE                                        ACTIONS
Install Phase                                  61/61
bitshop@homezfs1:/etc# pfexec pkg install SUNWsmbskr
DOWNLOAD                                    PKGS       FILES     XFER (MB)
Completed                                    1/1         6/6     1.19/1.19

PHASE                                        ACTIONS
Install Phase                                  17/17
bitshop@homezfs1:/etc# reboot

NOTICE: A reboot is required and you'll need to also "svcadm enable -r smb/server" so it auto starts.

bitshop@homezfs1:~# svcadm enable -r smb/server

Let's say we want to share pool/media:

stever@opensolaris:~# zfs create -o casesensitivity=mixed -o sharesmb=name=media pool/media
cannot share 'pool/media': smb add share failed
filesystem successfully created, but not shared

Make sure you've done everything above. Most likely you missed a step. Notice the reboot is required and starting the smb/server.

If you still get this then something may have gone wrong in the install (sigh). I've had this once and found this thread semi-helpful - I'll summarize below what helped me when I reproduced this problem. OpenSolaris Thread B85 CIFS issues (cache)

Basically what I had to do was:

bitshop@homezfs1:/kernel/drv/amd64# modinfo | grep smb

Notice: The module didn't say it was loaded. This should return something like below if it was loaded.

bitshop@homezfs1:/kernel/drv/amd64# modinfo | grep smb
253 fffffffff7f27000  5a8d8 252   1  smbsrv (CIFS Server Protocol 1.3)

Assuming it wasn't loaded let's continue:

bitshop@homezfs1:/kernel/drv# svcadm disable smb/server
bitshop@homezfs1:/kernel/drv# rem_drv smbsrv
Invalid argument
Cannot remove major number binding for 252
bitshop@homezfs1:/kernel/drv# cd /kernel/drv/amd64
bitshop@homezfs1:/kernel/drv/amd64# add_drv smbsrv
bitshop@homezfs1:/kernel/drv/amd64# svcadm enable smb/server

I also tried removing and reinstalling SUNWsmbskr - That may be worth trying.


Do you understand the different security models? There's workgroup (local authentication on the solaris host) and domain mode where you authenticate against a normal active directory domain (like a windows server normally is setup).

Assuming you are NOT using a domain:

• Did you enable the password database settings?

stever@opensolaris:~# cat >> /etc/pam.conf

# Seem to need this line for smb / cifs:
other   password required       pam_smb_passwd.so.1     nowarn

(Control-D to end)

stever@opensolaris:~# passwd
passwd: Changing password for stever
New Password:
Re-enter new Password:
passwd: password successfully changed for stever

Why is this needed? The passwords are stored encrypted in Solaris and the smb password table is encrypted seperate from the other password tables - so the smb server needs it's own password encrypted for each user. You'll need to update each users password (or have them do it) to allow access.

Reference / More Info: Solaris Documentation on SMB Server Tasks (cache)