smbclient is a command-line utility that provides an FTP-like interface for accessing SMB/CIFS resources on servers. SMB/CIFS (Server Message Block/Common Internet File System) is a network protocol used for sharing files, printers, and other resources between computers on a network.
smbclient allows you to browse and access shared folders and files on remote servers that use the SMB/CIFS protocol. It supports a wide range of features, such as browsing folders, uploading and downloading files, creating and deleting folders, and setting file permissions. It also supports authentication and encryption options to ensure secure communication with the server.
Using smbclient is similar to using an FTP client. You can connect to a remote server using the smbclient command followed by the server name or IP address, and then enter your username and password to authenticate. Once connected, you can use commands such as ls to list files, get to download files, and put to upload files.
smbclient is commonly used in network administration tasks, such as transferring files between Windows and Linux systems or backing up files from Windows servers. It can also be used in scripting and automation tasks to perform operations on remote SMB/CIFS resources.
If you encounter the below error while running the command smbclient:
smbclient: command not found
you may try installing the below package as per your choice of distribution:
| Distribution | Command |
|---|---|
| Debian | apt-get install smbclient |
| Ubuntu | apt-get install smbclient |
| Arch Linux | pacman -S smbclient |
| Kali Linux | apt-get install smbclient |
| CentOS | yum install smbclient |
| Fedora | dnf install smbclient |
| Raspbian | apt-get install smbclient |
smbclient Command Examples
1. Connect to a share (user will be prompted for password; `exit` to quit the session):
# smbclient //server/share
2. Connect with a different username:
# smbclient //server/share --user username
3. Connect with a different workgroup:
# smbclient //server/share --workgroup domain --user username
4. Connect with a username and password:
# smbclient //server/share --user username%password
5. Download a file from the server:
# smbclient //server/share --directory path/to/directory --command "get file.txt"
6. Upload a file to the server:
# smbclient //server/share --directory path/to/directory --command "put file.txt"
7. List the shares from a server anonymously:
# smbclient --list=server --no-pass
Summary
In summary, smbclient is a powerful utility for accessing and managing SMB/CIFS resources on remote servers. Its FTP-like interface and support for a wide range of features make it a popular choice for network administrators and other users who need to transfer files or perform operations on remote SMB/CIFS resources.