Netatalk is an open-source software package that provides Apple Filing Protocol (AFP) support for Unix-like operating systems, enabling Unix servers to serve file sharing for macOS clients. This can be especially useful for small businesses with mixed operating environments. In this guide, we'll walk through setting up a small business server using Ubuntu and Netatalk.

Prerequisites

Before we start, ensure you have the following:

• A computer to act as your server, with Ubuntu installed (preferably a server edition, but desktop edition will work as well).
• Basic knowledge of using the terminal.
• Network access to your server.

Step-by-Step Guide

1. Install Ubuntu Server

If you haven't already installed Ubuntu, download the latest version from the official Ubuntu website and follow the installation instructions. Ensure your server has a static IP address for consistent network access.

2. Update Your System

Open a terminal on your server and run the following commands to update your system's package list and upgrade installed packages:

sudo apt update 
sudo apt upgrade

3. Install Netatalk

Netatalk is not included in the default Ubuntu repositories, so you’ll need to add the `universe` repository and then install Netatalk:

sudo add-apt-repository universe
sudo apt update
sudo apt install netatalk

4. Configure Netatalk

Once installed, you'll need to configure Netatalk to share directories. The configuration file for Netatalk is located at `/etc/netatalk/afp.conf`.

Open the configuration file using your preferred text editor, such as `nano`:

sudo nano /etc/netatalk/afp.conf

Add or modify the following lines to configure your AFP shares:

[Global]
; Global server settings

[My Share]
path = /path/to/shared/directory
time machine = yes
valid users = your_username

Replace /path/to/shared/directory with the directory you want to share, and your_username with the username that should have access to the share.

For example, to share a directory named `shared` in the home directory of a user named `admin`, the configuration would look like this:

[Global]
; Global server settings

[Shared]
path = /home/admin/shared
time machine = yes
valid users = admin

Save the file and exit the text editor (`Ctrl+X`, `Y`, then `Enter` if using `nano`).

5. Restart Netatalk

After editing the configuration file, restart the Netatalk service to apply the changes:

sudo systemctl restart netatalk

6. Set Up User Permissions

Ensure the user specified in your configuration has the appropriate permissions for the shared directory:

sudo chown your_username:your_username /path/to/shared/directory
sudo chmod 755 /path/to/shared/directory

Replace your_username and /path/to/shared/directory with your actual username and directory path.

7. Access the Share from macOS

On your macOS machine, you can now connect to your Ubuntu server:

1. Open Finder.
2. In the menu bar, select Go > Connect to Server.
3. Enter the server address in the format afp://server_ip_address, replacing server_ip_address with the IP address of your Ubuntu server.
4. Click Connect.
5. Enter the username and password you specified in the Netatalk configuration.

If everything is set up correctly, you should now see the shared directory.

8. Additional Configuration

You can add more shares or adjust settings by editing the afp.conf file and restarting the Netatalk service as needed. For detailed configuration options, refer to the Netatalk documentation.

Conclusion

Setting up a small business server with Ubuntu and Netatalk allows you to seamlessly integrate macOS clients into your network, providing robust file-sharing capabilities. With these steps, you should have a functional AFP server that supports your business needs, ensuring smooth and efficient file access and sharing for all your team members. Happy networking!