Network Storage Setup: External SSD on Proxmox with Samba

Network Storage Setup: External SSD on Proxmox with Samba

Overview

This guide explains how to connect an external SSD to a Proxmox host, pass it through to a VM, configure Samba for network sharing, and access it from Linux and Windows clients.

Step 1: Connect and Identify the External SSD on Proxmox Host

Plug the external SSD into the Proxmox server’s USB port.

Identify the drive:

ls -l /dev/disk/by-id/ | grep -i sda

Note the full device ID (e.g., usb-Samsung_PSSD_T7_S7MPNS0XA03986E-0:0)

Step 2: Create or Clone a VM for Storage

Create a new Ubuntu VM or clone from an existing template:

qm clone 890 1106 --name samba-storage-vm --full

Start the VM and note its IP address (e.g., 192.168.1.167)

Step 3: Pass the External SSD to the VM

If the drive is currently mounted on the Proxmox host, unmount it:

umount /mnt/your-mount-point

Attach the drive to the VM using its device ID:

qm set 1106 -scsi1 /dev/disk/by-id/usb-Samsung_PSSD_T7_S7MPNS0XA03986E-0:0

Verify the attachment:

qm config 1106 | grep scsi

Step 4: Mount the Drive Inside the VM

SSH into the VM:

ssh mark@192.168.1.167

Check for the new disk:

lsblk

Create a mount point:

sudo mkdir -p /mnt/storage

Mount the drive (assuming it appears as /dev/sdb1):

sudo mount /dev/sdb1 /mnt/storage

Get the UUID for permanent mounting:

sudo blkid /dev/sdb1

Add to /etc/stab for automatic mounting on boot:

sudo nano /etc/fstab

Add this line (replace UUID with your actual UUID):

UUID=18e4bb73-2214-486f-a4da-0efef03a4eec /mnt/storage ext4 defaults 0 2

Test the fstab entry:

sudo mount -a

Step 5: Install and Configure Samba on the VM

Update and install Samba:

sudo apt update
sudo apt upgrade -y
sudo apt install samba -y

Backup the original Samba configuration:

sudo cp /etc/samba/smb.conf /etc/samba/smb.conf.backup

Edit the Samba configuration:

sudo nano /etc/samba/smb.conf

Add this at the bottom of the file:

[storage]
   path = /mnt/storage
   browseable = yes
   read only = no
   create mask = 0775
   directory mask = 0775
   valid users = mark

Create a Samba password for your user:

sudo smbpasswd -a mark

Restart Samba to apply changes:

sudo systemctl restart smbd

Verify Samba is running:

sudo systemctl status smbd

Step 6: Access from Linux Clients

Option A: Access via File Manager (GUI)

Open your file manager and navigate to:

smb://192.168.1.167/storage

Enter username and Samba password when prompted.

Option B: Mount Permanently via fstab

Create a mount point on the client:

sudo mkdir -p /mnt/network-storage

Create a credentials file:

nano ~/.smbcreds

Add your credentials:

username=mark
password=YOUR_SAMBA_PASSWORD

Secure the credentials file:

chmod 600 ~/.smbcreds

Edit /etc/fstab:

sudo nano /etc/fstab

Add this line (replace 1000 with your actual UID/GID if different):

//192.168.1.167/storage /mnt/network-storage cifs credentials=/home/mark/.smbcreds,uid=1000,gid=1000 0 0

Reload systemd and mount:

sudo systemctl daemon-reload
sudo mount /mnt/network-storage

Verify the mount:

mount | grep network-storage

Test access:

ls /mnt/network-storage

Step 7: Access from Windows Clients

Option A: Map as Network Drive (GUI)

1. Open File Explorer
2. Click “This PC” in the left sidebar
3. Click “Map network drive” in the toolbar
4. Choose a drive letter (e.g., Z:)
5. Enter the folder path: \\192.168.1.167\storage
6. Check “Reconnect at sign-in” if you want it permanent
7. Check “Connect using different credentials”
8. Click “Finish”
9. Enter username: mark and your Samba password
10. Click “OK”

Option B: Access via Command Line

Open Command Prompt or PowerShell:

net use Z: \\192.168.1.167\storage /user:mark YOUR_SAMBA_PASSWORD

To make it persistent across reboots:

net use Z: \\192.168.1.167\storage /user:mark YOUR_SAMBA_PASSWORD /persistent:yes

To disconnect:

net use Z: /delete

Verification

The network storage should now be accessible from:

• Proxmox VM: /mnt/storage
• Linux clients: /mnt/network-storage (if mounted) or smb://192.168.1.167/storage (file manager)
• Windows clients: Z:\ (if mapped) or \\192.168.1.167\storage (UNC path)

All devices can read and write files to the shared storage location.