Accessing Shared Folders on Ubuntu Server from Mac OS

In today’s interconnected world, sharing files between different operating systems like Ubuntu and Mac OS is a common requirement. This article will guide you through the process of accessing shared folders on an Ubuntu server from a Mac OS system. We’ll explore different methods including using Samba, sshfs, and Network Discovery.

Method 1: Using Samba

Samba is a free software re-implementation of the SMB networking protocol, and was originally developed by Andrew Tridgell. It provides file and print services for various Microsoft Windows clients and can integrate with a Windows Server domain, either as a Primary Domain Controller (PDC) or as a domain member.

Step 1: Install Samba on Ubuntu Server

First, you need to install Samba on your Ubuntu server. Open the terminal and enter the following command:

sudo apt-get install samba

Step 2: Configure Samba

Next, you need to configure Samba by editing the smb.conf file. This file is located in the /etc/samba/ directory. You can use any text editor to open this file. In this example, we’ll use nano:

sudo nano /etc/samba/smb.conf

In this file, you can specify the shared folders, their paths, and their access permissions. For example:

[shared_folder]
path = /path/to/shared_folder
browsable = yes
read only = no

Save and close the file when you’re done.

Step 3: Access Shared Folders from Mac OS

On your Mac, open Finder and click on “Go” in the menu bar. Select “Connect to Server” and enter the IP address of the Ubuntu server in the format smb://xxx.xxx.x.xx. Click “Connect” and you should see a list of shared folders on the Ubuntu server.

Method 2: Using sshfs

SSHFS (SSH Filesystem) is a filesystem client to mount and interact with directories and files located on a remote server or workstation.

Step 1: Install sshfs on Ubuntu Server

First, install sshfs on your Ubuntu server with the following command:

sudo apt-get install sshfs

Step 2: Setup SSH Key-Pair Authentication

Next, set up SSH key-pair authentication between your Mac and the Ubuntu server. This will allow you to connect to the server without having to enter your password each time.

On your Mac, generate a new SSH key pair with the following command:

ssh-keygen -t rsa

Then, copy the public key to the Ubuntu server with the following command:

ssh-copy-id -i ~/.ssh/id_rsa.pub username@server_ip

Step 3: Access Shared Folders from Mac OS

On your Mac, open Finder and go to “Connect to Server”. Enter the IP address of the server and the port number on which the SSH server is listening (default is 22). Enter your username and password for the Ubuntu server and specify the folder you want to access.

Method 3: Using Network Discovery

Network Discovery is a network protocol that allows your Mac to automatically discover other computers and devices on the same network.

Step 1: Open Network in Finder

On your Mac, click on the “Desktop” and go to “Go” -> “Network”. The Mac will search for network shares on the LAN and display them.

Step 2: Connect to the Ubuntu Server

If the shared folders from the Ubuntu server are not automatically detected, try entering smb://hostname in the Finder address bar, where “hostname” is the name of the sharing computer.

Conclusion

Accessing shared folders on an Ubuntu server from a Mac OS system can be achieved in several ways. The method you choose depends on your specific needs and the configuration of your network. Always remember to secure your shared folders by setting appropriate permissions and using secure protocols like SSH.