Setting Up Brother MFC-9332CDW to Scan to a Linux Samba Share#

This guide walks you through configuring a Brother MFC-9332CDW printer/scanner to save scanned documents directly to a Linux machine via Samba (SMB). It also covers firewall settings, editing smb.conf, and troubleshooting.

✨ You can also use a script to setup a network device:

1. Download the script#

wget https://github.com/pamagister/Digital-Security-Ops-Mastery/blob/main/ubuntu-linux-automations/scripts/setup_shared_folder_samba.sh

2. Make the Script Executable#

chmod +x ~/setup_shared_folder_samba.sh

2. Run the Script#

./setup_shared_folder_samba.sh

✨ You can also set up a samba share manually:

Step 1: Create a Samba Share#

  1. Create a folder on your Linux machine where scans will be stored:
mkdir -p /home/USERNAME/Scans
  1. Set appropriate ownership and permissions:
sudo chown -R USERNAME:USERNAME /home/USERNAME/Scans
sudo chmod -R 775 /home/USERNAME/Scans

🧪 Verification#

  • From the Linux machine:
ls -ld /home/USERNAME/Scans

You should see the folder owned by USERNAME with rwxrwxr-x permissions.

Step 2: Install Samba (if not installed)#

sudo apt update
sudo apt install samba

🧪 Verification#

  • Check Samba status:
sudo systemctl status smbd

It should be active (running).

Step 3: Configure Samba (/etc/samba/smb.conf)#

  1. Backup the original configuration:
sudo cp /etc/samba/smb.conf /etc/samba/smb.conf.backup
  1. Open the file in Kate (or your preferred editor):
sudo kate /etc/samba/smb.conf
  1. Add the following share at the bottom of the file:
[Scans]
path = /home/USERNAME/Scans
browseable = yes
writable = yes
guest ok = no
valid users = USERNAME
create mask = 0664
directory mask = 0775
  1. In the [global] section, add these lines to support both SMBv1 (for older Brother firmware) and SMBv2/3:
server min protocol = NT1
server max protocol = SMB3

  1. Save and close the file.

  2. Restart Samba:

sudo systemctl restart smbd

🧪 Verification#

  • Test the share from Linux:
smbclient -L localhost -U USERNAME

You should see Scans listed under Sharename. * From another PC (Windows/Linux):

smb://<linux-hostname>/Scans
or
\\user-pc-name.local\Scans

Enter USERNAME and your Samba password to verify access.

Step 4: Configure Firewall#

  1. Allow Samba through the firewall:
sudo ufw allow Samba
sudo ufw status

🧪 Verification#

  • You should see rules allowing Samba ports (137, 138, 139, 445) in the output of:
sudo ufw status
  • You should see something like
Status: active

To                         Action      From
--                         ------      ----
Samba                      ALLOW       Anywhere                  
Samba (v6)                 ALLOW       Anywhere (v6)
  • From another machine, verify you can browse the share.

Step 5: Optionally for verification: Create a Samba User#

sudo smbpasswd -a USERNAME
  • Enter a password when prompted.
  • Enable the user:
sudo smbpasswd -e USERNAME

🧪 Verification#

  • Test login:
smbclient //localhost/Scans -U USERNAME

You should be able to connect and list the folder contents.

✨ Finally, configure the printer:

Last step: Configure your printer, e.g. Brother MFC-9332CDW#

  1. Access the printer Web interface:
http://<printer-ip>/
e.g. 
http://192.168.0.155

Login with admin credentials. --> You can get the printer ip by navigating to Einstellungen - Alle Einstellungen - Ausdrucke in the printer and make a test print

  1. Navigate to (if available):
Network → Protocol → CIFS
  • Enable CIFS.
  • Set SMB Version to Auto or SMBv2 (if available).

  • Set Authentication Method to NTLMv2.

  • Configure a “Scan to Network” profile:

  • Host-Adresse: linux-hostname (do not include domain here)

  • Zielordner: Scans
  • Benutzername: local\USERNAME
  • Password: The Samba password you set for USERNAME

  • Dateityp, Qualität, etc.: As preferred

  • Apply settings and reboot the printer.

🧪 Verification#

  • On the printer panel:
Scan → to Network → [Configured Profile]
  • Scan a test document.
  • Confirm the file appears in /home/USERNAME/Scans/ on the Linux machine.

Troubleshooting#

🔹 If the printer cannot connect:#

  • Verify Samba is running:
sudo systemctl status smbd
  • Confirm the folder exists and has proper permissions.
  • Test access from another PC using the same credentials.
  • Make sure the firewall allows Samba.

🔹 If SMB protocol mismatch occurs:#

  • Update CIFS settings on the Brother printer to use SMBv2 or Auto.
  • Ensure Samba allows NT1 (SMBv1) if using older firmware:
  • In the [global] section, add:
[global]
server min protocol = NT1
server max protocol = SMB3
  • Now, Save and restart Samba:
sudo systemctl restart smbd

🔹 If scan fails intermittently:#

  • Check network connectivity.
  • Ensure the host name resolves from the printer (try using IP instead of hostname).
  • Verify the Samba user credentials are correct.

✅ Summary#

By following this guide, your MFC-9332CDW can scan directly to a Linux machine via Samba, accessible from other devices on the network, with proper firewall configuration and authentication.