Install and Configure SAMBA in UBUNTU

I have three machines in a local network: mac, ubuntu and windows.
Ubuntu is used as a server, and I need quite often exchange files between mac and windows. 

1: Install Samba

    sudo apt-get update
    sudo apt-get install samba

2: Create shared folder

    mkdir -a ~/Documents/samba

   It is also recommended to have this folder in /svr/samba/share. If you prefer this, you have to assure that the user has the right to do the operations in this folder.

3: Backup configuration file 

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

4: Edit configuration file

    sudo vim /etc/samba/smb.conf

   At the end of this file, add the following lines:

    [share]

        comment = Ubuntu File Server Shared

        path = /home/user_name/Documents/samba

        browsable = yes

        valid users = user_name

        guest ok = yes

        read only = no

        create mask = 0755

5: Set up a password for this account in Samba:

  
    sudo smbpasswd -a user_name

    Then, key in the password. It is suggested to use the same password as *unix Login.

Because I used a different password, it does not work.

6: Restart the samba:  

    sudo service smbd restart

7: Check syntax errors in smb.conf file: 

    testparm

8: Access Samba folder from Mac:

    Go to Finder > Go > Connect to Server

    In "Server Address", put the Ubuntu server's IP address with Samba protocol:

    smb://10.173.178.65

    Then, click on "Connect".

    An authentication window will pop out and you have to key in the user name and password.

    Then, you can browse/edit the files on the server.

9: Access Samba folder from Windows:

    Open a Windows Explorer window, key in //ip_address/share (share is the name of the shared folder defined in the smb.conf file), and key in your account and password.