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SMB configuration overview with the CLI

Contributors netapp-forry netapp-aherbin netapp-thomi netapp-aaron-holt netapp-dbagwell netapp-ahibbard

You can use ONTAP 9 CLI commands to configure SMB client access to files contained in a new volume or qtree in a new or existing SVM.

Note

SMB (Server Message Block) refers to modern dialects of the Common Internet File System (CIFS) protocol. You will still see CIFS in the ONTAP command-line interface (CLI) and in OnCommand management tools.

Use these procedures if you want to configure SMB access to a volume or qtree in the following way:

  • You want to use SMB version 2 or later.

  • You want to serve SMB clients only, not NFS clients (not a multiprotocol configuration).

  • NTFS file permissions will be used to secure the new volume.

  • You have cluster administrator privileges, not SVM administrator privileges.

    Cluster administrator privileges are required to create SVMs and LIFs. SVM administrator privileges are sufficient for other SMB configuration tasks.

  • You want to use the CLI, not System Manager or an automated scripting tool.

    To use System Manager to configure NAS multiprotocol access, see Provision NAS storage for both Windows and Linux using both NFS and SMB.

  • You want to use best practices, not explore every available option.

    Details about command syntax are available from CLI help and ONTAP man pages.

If you want details about the range of ONTAP SMB protocol capabilities, consult the SMB reference overview.

Other ways to do this in ONTAP

To perform these tasks with…​

Refer to…​

The redesigned System Manager (available with ONTAP 9.7 and later)

Provision NAS storage for Windows servers using SMB

System Manager Classic (available with ONTAP 9.7 and earlier)

SMB configuration overview