Interoperability with Samba
Configure Netatalk and Samba
Recent Netatalk (v3 and later) and Samba can store metadata in a compatible format.
Using this way, the following access becomes possible.
- from Mac to Netatalk
- from Mac to Samba
- from Windows to Samba
WARNING: The ea = samba format and ea = sys (default) metadata formats are NOT mutually compatible, and there currently isn’t a way to convert between the two.
You have to pick one when setting up a new volume and stick with it.
Netatalk
Using vol preset option, the same configuration is set for all
volumes.
Using ea = samba, Extended Attributes become compatible with Samba.
Edit /usr/local/etc/afp.conf.
Ex:
[Global]
vol preset = my default values
[my default values]
ea = samba
[Homes]
basedir regex = /home
[Test Volume]
path = /export/test1
[My Time Machine Volume]
path = /export/timemachine
time machine = yes
Samba
Setting various options in [global], the same configuration is set for
all shares.
Three vfs objects (catia, fruit and streams_xattr) provide enhanced compatibility with Apple SMB clients and interoperability with a Netatalk.
Using hide files, the invisible files created via Netatalk are
hidden from Windows. Use hide files, not veto files.
Don’t use fruit:locking = netatalk because it has a
bug.
Edit /etc/samba/smb.conf.
Ex:
[global]
ea support = Yes
vfs objects = catia fruit streams_xattr`
fruit:encoding = native
streams_xattr:prefix = user.
streams_xattr:store_stream_type = no`
hide files = /.DS_Store/Network Trash Folder/TheFindByContentFolder/TheVolumeSettingsFolder/Temporary Items/.TemporaryItems/.VolumeIcon.icns/Icon?/.FBCIndex/.FBCLockFolder/
read only = No
[homes]
[Test Volume]
path = /export/test1
[My Time Machine Volume]
path = /export/timemachine
Footnotes
This is a mirror of the Netatalk GitHub Wiki. Please visit the original page if you want to correct an error or contribute new contents.
Last updated 2025-09-07
