How to setup SAMBA file sharing on Alpine player so it is accessible from a network

[lordmayo]

I had some time to investigate the drive sharing issues and I was able to modify the smb.conf file to include my Ext3 connected drive as a network share without any issues. My original problem was that the smb.conf was being rewritten when samba was enabled. There is an option in the samba settings to stop that from happening "Dont rewrite smb.conf" ... this is the last options in the setting menu. Anyhow once you enable that option you can manually edit smb.conf to your liking. The smb.conf file reside in the "/data/data/com.funkyfresh.samba/files/" directory; you will need to be root to edit it. Just as an example this is what my smb.conf currently looks like:

# Auto-generated by com.funkyfresh.samba
#
#
# smb.conf last written on 2012-05-15_22-37-10  app build 111105d
#
#
# Manual edits of smb.conf are not supported.
#
#
# Sharing of non FAT based filesystems is unsupported. Do so at your own peril.
#
#
[global]
interfaces = wlan0 eth0
bind interfaces only = yes
workgroup = WORKGROUP
server string = Samba on Android
netbios name = ANDROID
remote announce = 255.255.255.255
encrypt passwords = yes
security = USER
restrict anonymous = 1
load printers = no
printcap name = /dev/null
disable spoolss = yes
deadtime = 5
delete readonly = yes
nt acl support = no
inherit permissions = yes
socket options = SO_SNDBUF=16384 SO_RCVBUF=16384
local master = no
unix extensions = yes


[sdcard]
vfs objects = fake_perms
comment = Android /mnt/sdcard
path = /mnt/sdcard
force user = root
read only = no
writable = yes
guest ok = no
[share2]
vfs objects = fake_perms
comment = Android /mnt/usb81
path = /mnt/usb81
force user = root
read only = no
writable = yes
guest ok = no
[share3]
vfs objects = fake_perms
comment = Android /mnt/usb817
path = /mnt/usb817
force user = root
read only = no
writable = yes
guest ok = no

sdcard = sdcard inserted in the PBO Alpine
share2 = FAT32 16 GB USB Stick
share3 = EXT3 formated External USB Drive

I was able to play a 720P movie that reside on my USB Drive that is connected to the PBO Alpine [share3] to my laptop (wireless connection) without any problems which tells me that the share speed thru the samba server is not too bad at all. I will try to copy some files when I have a chance. I do not have a NTFS drive to try but I am guessing that this would probably work fine as well.

Cheers !!!

Hey snappy46 thanks a million for the headsup - I got everything working. Took a lot back alleying to get it all in place but it's all done and working.

THANKS PAGEAUC for slow dancing us to the goal line!!!

[Btcoma]

Hey thanks for the followup!

Update: I updated the Alpine to the new matrix alpha firmware rev2. z4root & Samba installed and rooted permanently without problems. But I still cannot see my "share2" USB drive on my PC. Under the "Other File Sharing Options" menu item, I selected "Second Shared Folder" option and selected the mounted drive (usb81) to share by pressing enter. The menu item dot turned green to indicate it is selected, then I pressed OK. But when I select "Second Shared Folder" again to confirm it is selected, the green dot is no longer there. Is this a known problem?

By the way, how come my sd card does not have a smb.conf file??

I had some time to investigate the drive sharing issues and I was able to modify the smb.conf file to include my Ext3 connected drive as a network share without any issues. My original problem was that the smb.conf was being rewritten when samba was enabled. There is an option in the samba settings to stop that from happening "Dont rewrite smb.conf" ... this is the last options in the setting menu. Anyhow once you enable that option you can manually edit smb.conf to your liking. The smb.conf file reside in the "/data/data/com.funkyfresh.samba/files/" directory; you will need to be root to edit it. Just as an example this is what my smb.conf currently looks like:

# Auto-generated by com.funkyfresh.samba
#
#
# smb.conf last written on 2012-05-15_22-37-10  app build 111105d
#
#
# Manual edits of smb.conf are not supported.
#
#
# Sharing of non FAT based filesystems is unsupported. Do so at your own peril.
#
#
[global]
interfaces = wlan0 eth0
bind interfaces only = yes
workgroup = WORKGROUP
server string = Samba on Android
netbios name = ANDROID
remote announce = 255.255.255.255
encrypt passwords = yes
security = USER
restrict anonymous = 1
load printers = no
printcap name = /dev/null
disable spoolss = yes
deadtime = 5
delete readonly = yes
nt acl support = no
inherit permissions = yes
socket options = SO_SNDBUF=16384 SO_RCVBUF=16384
local master = no
unix extensions = yes


[sdcard]
vfs objects = fake_perms
comment = Android /mnt/sdcard
path = /mnt/sdcard
force user = root
read only = no
writable = yes
guest ok = no
[share2]
vfs objects = fake_perms
comment = Android /mnt/usb81
path = /mnt/usb81
force user = root
read only = no
writable = yes
guest ok = no
[share3]
vfs objects = fake_perms
comment = Android /mnt/usb817
path = /mnt/usb817
force user = root
read only = no
writable = yes
guest ok = no

sdcard = sdcard inserted in the PBO Alpine
share2 = FAT32 16 GB USB Stick
share3 = EXT3 formated External USB Drive

I was able to play a 720P movie that reside on my USB Drive that is connected to the PBO Alpine [share3] to my laptop (wireless connection) without any problems which tells me that the share speed thru the samba server is not too bad at all. I will try to copy some files when I have a chance. I do not have a NTFS drive to try but I am guessing that this would probably work fine as well.

Cheers !!!

[Insane Lunatic]

I had some time to investigate the drive sharing issues and I was able to modify the smb.conf file to include my Ext3 connected drive as a network share without any issues. My original problem was that the smb.conf was being rewritten when samba was enabled. There is an option in the samba settings to stop that from happening "Dont rewrite smb.conf" ... this is the last options in the setting menu. Anyhow once you enable that option you can manually edit smb.conf to your liking. The smb.conf file reside in the "/data/data/com.funkyfresh.samba/files/" directory; you will need to be root to edit it. Just as an example this is what my smb.conf currently looks like:

# Auto-generated by com.funkyfresh.samba
#
#
# smb.conf last written on 2012-05-15_22-37-10  app build 111105d
#
#
# Manual edits of smb.conf are not supported.
#
#
# Sharing of non FAT based filesystems is unsupported. Do so at your own peril.
#
#
[global]
interfaces = wlan0 eth0
bind interfaces only = yes
workgroup = WORKGROUP
server string = Samba on Android
netbios name = ANDROID
remote announce = 255.255.255.255
encrypt passwords = yes
security = USER
restrict anonymous = 1
load printers = no
printcap name = /dev/null
disable spoolss = yes
deadtime = 5
delete readonly = yes
nt acl support = no
inherit permissions = yes
socket options = SO_SNDBUF=16384 SO_RCVBUF=16384
local master = no
unix extensions = yes


[sdcard]
vfs objects = fake_perms
comment = Android /mnt/sdcard
path = /mnt/sdcard
force user = root
read only = no
writable = yes
guest ok = no
[share2]
vfs objects = fake_perms
comment = Android /mnt/usb81
path = /mnt/usb81
force user = root
read only = no
writable = yes
guest ok = no
[share3]
vfs objects = fake_perms
comment = Android /mnt/usb817
path = /mnt/usb817
force user = root
read only = no
writable = yes
guest ok = no

sdcard = sdcard inserted in the PBO Alpine
share2 = FAT32 16 GB USB Stick
share3 = EXT3 formated External USB Drive

I was able to play a 720P movie that reside on my USB Drive that is connected to the PBO Alpine [share3] to my laptop (wireless connection) without any problems which tells me that the share speed thru the samba server is not too bad at all. I will try to copy some files when I have a chance. I do not have a NTFS drive to try but I am guessing that this would probably work fine as well.

Cheers !!!

here's a new question: How do I get to that file to make the changes? I have rooted the device, but now what?

[snappy46]

here's a new question: How do I get to that file to make the changes? I have rooted the device, but now what?

First off you need to get to the Android Linux shell; there are a couple of ways to do that.

First option: You could install an Android terminal application; there are many out there but I can not confirm which one works since I do not access it that way. Maybe someone else can provide a link to a terminal app that works fine on the PBO Alpine. My guess would be that most of the terminal apps will work and this option is slightly easier than the second option since you will be at the Android Linux shell as soon as you start the application.

Second option: This is the one I used since I do development on the Android; is to use the Android Debug Bridge "adb". You can have access to this command after you install the Android software development kit (SDK) on your computer. Google is your friend for that one and installation of the SDK is pretty straight forward. To be honest I am not even sure if you need to install the whole SDK; it is possible that just having the adb file is enough??? I don't know. Once you have adb available (/Android-sdk...../platforms-tools/) you can access the PBO Alpine Linux shell by issuing the following command (Dos/Linux prompt):

./adb connect [PBO_Alpine_IP_Addresss]  ex:   ./adb connect 192.168.1.2
./adb shell

You should now be on the Android linux shell

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Everything that follows assume that you were successful in accessing the Android Linux shell. All the following commands are issued at the Android linux shell. Now there are also a couple of ways to edit the "/data/data/com.funkyfresh.samba/files/smb.conf" but first off you need to be root so you need to issue the following command:

# su

Beware that the first time you issue that command you should look at your TV screen because the Root app will ask whether it is ok to allow root access to that shell. Just use the remote control and enter that it is ok always if you do not want to do this everytime you log in as root in a shell.

Ok you are now a super user (this is like god mode in a game ) and have access to everything and can really screw things up so make sure you type in the command correctly.

As I mentioned before there are really two ways to edit the file. If you use Z4root to root your PBO Alpine this app also installed busybox for you so you have some extra commands available to you other than the one available in the standard android toolbox. Ok first way is quite easy if you are familiar with the linux "vi" editor and can edit the file right on the PBO Alpine using this command:

busybox vi /data/data/com.funkyfresh.samba/files/smb.conf

You should now be in the vi editor with file open and able to edit that file to suit your needs; save it and you are done.

The second way if you just hate "vi" is to copy the smb.conf file to a USB Stick connected to your PBO Alpine and then take that stick to your computer for editing and then copy it back to the PBO Alpine. Beware that on a window machine many editor add stuff; you must use a plain text editor to make the changes; even notepad can cause problem; I recommend notepad++ for any editing on a window machine. Ok here we go with the command required:

To copy to the USB Stick:

# busybox cp /data/data/com.funkyfresh.samba/files/smb.conf /mnt/usb81/     ----> Substitute usb81 for the proper USB stick mount point

If you do not have busybox installed you can do the following also:

# cat /data/data/com.funkyfresh.samba/files/smb.conf > /mnt/usb81/smb.conf

After the editing is done you can copy it back to the PBO by issuing the following commands:

# busybox cp /mnt/usb81/smb.conf /data/data/com.funkyfresh.samba/files/     ----> Substitute usb81 for the proper USB stick mount point

Without busybox:

# cat /mnt/usb81/smb.conf > /data/data/com.funkyfresh.samba/files/smb.conf     ----> Substitute usb81 for the proper USB stick mount point

Ok hopefully there aren't any typos in there; I do not have access to my PBO right now so hopefully I have all the paths and filename correct. By the way just as a side note with adb you can also use the command ./adb pull [path/filename] (take file from the PBO to your computer) and ./adb push [path/filename] (take file from your computer and copy them to the PBO).

Anyhow I hope this helps.

Cheers!!!

[Popcorn 64]

Hi Snappy

Thanks for your comments. I have added the steps to add a second shared drive. I had a problem originally getting the second drive to share since I did not hit enter on the drive menu item. This turns the round menu button green to show that it is active. After that I could access the share OK. These little items are what add frustration to users so a detailed procedure that walks them through can be very helpful. That is why I took the time to write the steps out.

I agree with you that this feature needs to be included in the Alpine firmware and setup to allow easy or automatic setup. The easier for users the better. I know there are trade offs with performance and resources so making it optional is one way to deal with the problem. At any rate SAMBA filesharing really needs to be native just like the PBO box office core player.

Thanks

When I try to add a second shared drive ,it tell me it can not locate a FAT drive.I am trying to get to my usb external drive so that I can add or delete files. thanks in advance.

[The_Original_Modifier]

Mine just all of a sudden quit! I can navigate to the browsing network shares through my router, but once I try to browse into the drive, I just keeps "browsing". But by seeing how non of these threads are being replied to, I guess I chall just unplug this door stop and purchase a far more reliable one.

[The Dude]

Mine just all of a sudden quit! I can navigate to the browsing network shares through my router, but once I try to browse into the drive, I just keeps "browsing". But by seeing how non of these threads are being replied to, I guess I chall just unplug this door stop and purchase a far more reliable one.

When this, or a host of other problems occur, check the date/time on your PBO. It has likely changed the date to something at the early part of the 20th century, or something in the near future when Patriot will have officially abandoned this product.

This problem occurs spontaneously and frequently. Prepare to change the date a lot if you want the product you paid for to work. Of course, assuming that Patriot Ben or anyone at Patriot even reads this forum, they well know about it. Whether they care enough to ever send a bug fix is another matter.

[The_Original_Modifier]

Many thanks that worked. Just wished that they actually hard SUPPORT for these devices other than leaving it to the users to figure it out for themselves. they should at the very LEAST reply to the threads. Way to go Patriot, you can be SURE that you are loosing customers by the reviews left on other sites like resellers and hopefully steering them away from a faulty product with NO support and undelivered as promised software.

I am leery of even purchasing ANY of your product now.
Severely DISPLEASED Customer!