Managing SMB Shares

When creating a share, do not attempt to set up the root or pool-level dataset for the share. Instead, create a new dataset under the pool-level dataset for the share. Setting up a share using the root dataset leads to storage configuration issues.

To access SMB share management options, go to Shares screen with the Windows (SMB) Shares widget. The widget lists SMB shares configured on but is not the full list. Each share listed includes four icons that open other screens or dialogs that provide access to share settings. To see a full list of shares, click on Windows (SMB) Shares launch to open the Sharing > SMB screen. Each share row on this screen provides access to the other screens or dialogs with share settings.

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SMB Directory List Times

TrueNAS and ZFS by default can support large numbers of files. Per directory this can grow to 281+ trillion and per file system there is no upper limit. However, these are theoritical limits, and there are host and client side practical limits dealing with large quantity of files. Specifically when it comes to how fast you can list or “enumerate” them.

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SMB Shares Screens

Windows (SMB) Shares Widget

If you have not added SMB shares to the system, the SMB widget shows No records have been added yet.

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Configuring IPv6

TrueNAS provides the option to configure network interfaces using either IPv4 or IPv6 addresses. IPv4 networks cannot see or communicate with an IPv6 website or network unless a gateway or some other implementation is configured to allow it. See Understanding IPv6 for more information.

Configuring IPv6 Addresses

After configuring your network infrastructure for IPv6, assign the IP addresses for your TrueNAS system. Use the TrueNAS UI to configure your network settings. If setting TrueNAS up for the first time after a clean install, use the Console Setup menu to enter IPv6 addresses.

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Adding a Basic Time Machine SMB Share

When creating a share, do not attempt to set up the root or pool-level dataset for the share. Instead, create a new dataset under the pool-level dataset for the share. Setting up a share using the root dataset leads to storage configuration issues.

To prevent unexpected failures in SMB shares, TrueNAS 25.04 and later automatically disables SMB2/3 lease support and AAPL extensions (typically used to configure Time Machine) globally when multiprotocol SMB/NFS shares are enabled.

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Using SMB Shadow Copy

When creating a share, do not attempt to set up the root or pool-level dataset for the share. Instead, create a new dataset under the pool-level dataset for the share. Setting up a share using the root dataset leads to storage configuration issues.

Enable Shadow Copies exports ZFS snapshots as Shadow Copies for Microsoft Volume Shadow Copy Service (VSS) clients.

About SMB Shadow Copies

Shadow Copies, also known as the Volume Shadow Copy Service (VSS) or Previous Versions, is a Microsoft service for creating volume snapshots. You can use shadow copies to restore previous versions of files from within Windows Explorer.

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Multiprotocol Shares

When creating a share, do not attempt to set up the root or pool-level dataset for the share. Instead, create a new dataset under the pool-level dataset for the share. Setting up a share using the root dataset leads to storage configuration issues.

To prevent unexpected failures in SMB shares, TrueNAS 25.04 and later automatically disables SMB2/3 lease support and AAPL extensions (typically used to configure Time Machine) globally when multiprotocol SMB/NFS shares are enabled.

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Setting Up SMB Private Dataset Shares

When creating a share, do not attempt to set up the root or pool-level dataset for the share. Instead, create a new dataset under the pool-level dataset for the share. Setting up a share using the root dataset leads to storage configuration issues.

SMB Home Share is a legacy feature for organizations looking to maintain existing SMB configurations. TrueNAS removed the home share option from the SMB share Purpose list in 24.04 (Dragonfish). The SMB share Other Options includes a home share legacy option but it is not recommended for new shares, it is for organizations still using the legacy home shares option of adding a single SMB share to provide a personal directory for every user account. Future TrueNAS releases can introduce instability or require configuration changes affecting this legacy feature.

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Third-Party Data Migration

Users of TrueNAS 24.04 (Dragonfish) or newer can migrate data from a third-party NAS solution onto TrueNAS using the Syncthing Enterprise application. The Syncthing Enterprise application can mount remote SMB shares in a manner that preserves relevant metadata. TrueNAS 24.10 (Electric Eel) also adds migration support for SMB alternate data streams (ADS), used to store application-specific metadata.

Syncthing Overview
TrueNAS Enterprise

Third-party data ingest is available to TrueNAS Enterprise customers with TrueNAS 24.04 (Dragonfish) and newer deployed, as well as the appropriate applications license. TrueNAS Enterprise Support staff are available to assist with deploying the Syncthing Enterprise Application and migrating data. Please contact TrueNAS Enterprise Support to learn more and schedule a time to deploy the app and begin migration.

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SMB

The Services > SMB screen displays after going to the Shares screen, finding the Windows (SMB) Shares section, and clicking more_vert + Config Service. Alternatively, you can go to System > Services and click the edit edit icon for the SMB service.

Configuring SMB Service

The SMB Services screen displays setting options to configure TrueNAS SMB settings to fit your use case. In most cases, you can set the required fields and accept the rest of the setting defaults. If you have specific needs for your use case, click Advanced Options to display more settings.

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