165 lines
3.2 KiB
Markdown
165 lines
3.2 KiB
Markdown
# Optional: Installing Samba for Windows Network Access
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Samba is **optional** in this Media Manager setup, but highly recommended if:
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* You use **Windows** and want to browse your media files easily
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* You want to manually adjust or inspect downloaded files
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* You want to drag-and-drop subtitles, rename files, or fix issues directly
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* You want the flexibility of mounting your media as a network drive
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If you only ever access files through Plex, ARR apps, or the Linux shell, then Samba is **not required**.
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---
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# 🧩 Why Samba Might Be Needed
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Although Radarr, Sonarr, and Bazarr automate nearly everything, there are situations where **manual file access** is useful:
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* Fixing incorrectly tagged files
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* Manual subtitle adjustments
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* Deleting or replacing corrupted media
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* Organizing large folders
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* Backing up media manually
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On **Linux or macOS**, this can be done easily over SSH.
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On **Windows**, the easiest way is via **Samba (SMB)** network shares.
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---
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# 💠 What Samba Does
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Samba exposes directories on your Raspberry Pi/Linux server as Windows-compatible network drives.
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It allows you to access:
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```
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/mnt/omnissiah-vault
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```
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from Windows like:
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```
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Z:\ → Omnissiah-Vault
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```
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This behaves like a native Windows drive:
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* You can open files
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* Copy folders
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* Delete/rename items
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* Perform maintenance tasks
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---
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# 📦 Installation Script (Optional)
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If you want Samba on your server, use the following script:
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👉 **see script:** `scripts/install-samba.sh`
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This script:
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* Installs Samba
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* Shares your mounted directories
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* Secures access to your user only (no guest access)
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* Creates Samba credentials
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* Enables the smbd/nmbd daemons
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---
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# 🖥️ Windows Setup — Mapping the Network Drive
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Once Samba is active, you can connect from Windows.
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### 1. Open File Explorer
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Press:
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```
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Win + E
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```
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### 2. Click **This PC**
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### 3. Click **Map network drive** in the top ribbon
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(If hidden, click the three-dot menu.)
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### 4. Choose a drive letter
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Example:
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```
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Z:
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```
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### 5. In the folder field, enter your Samba share
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```
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\\<server-ip>\Omnissiah-Vault
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```
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Example:
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```
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\\192.168.1.50\Omnissiah-Vault
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```
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### 6. Check **Reconnect at sign-in**
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So Windows auto-remounts the drive.
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### 7. Check **Connect using different credentials**
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Enter the username and password created during Samba setup:
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```
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Username: aetos
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Password: <your-samba-password>
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```
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Click **Finish**.
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You should now see the drive appear in Explorer like a normal disk.
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---
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# 🧰 You Can Also Map via Command Line
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Open PowerShell and run:
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```
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net use Z: \\<server-ip>\Omnissiah-Vault /user:aetos
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```
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---
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# 🔐 Security Notes
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* Samba exposes your filesystem over the network → keep your password strong.
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* Never enable `guest ok = yes` unless you want an open share.
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* Use UFW or firewall-cmd to restrict access if needed.
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---
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# 📝 Summary
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Samba is optional but extremely convenient, especially for Windows users.
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Use it if:
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* You manage files manually
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* You want drag-and-drop access to media
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* You want Windows Explorer to treat the server like a normal drive
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Skip it if:
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* Everything happens via automation
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* You only use Plex and ARR
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* You manage your server exclusively from Linux/Mac
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---
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Proceed to the next step when ready.
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