# Configure Logmanager Backups on an SMB Server

**Backups are one of the most important parts of any Logmanager deployment. They help protect configuration, preserve historical data, and make recovery much easier after a failure, migration, or operational mistake. In this guide, you prepare a Samba share on Ubuntu and then point Logmanager to that location for automated archiving.**

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## 1. Prepare the SMB Destination

Start by deploying a small Ubuntu 24.04 LTS virtual machine that will store backup archives. Install Samba from the repositories and create a dedicated directory for backup files. Using a separate backup target is useful because it keeps archives outside the main Logmanager appliance.

```
sudo apt update
sudo apt install samba
sudo mkdir -p /srv/logmanager-backups
```

![Ubuntu terminal showing Samba installation and backup directory creation for Logmanager backups](https://logmanager.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/backup-directory-creation.png)Fig. 1: Ubuntu terminal showing Samba installation and backup directory creation for Logmanager backups.## 2. Configure Samba

Edit the Samba configuration file and define a share for the backup directory. At minimum, the share must point to the correct path and allow writing from the account that Logmanager will use.

```
sudo nano /etc/samba/smb.conf
```

```
[logmanager-backups]
   path = /srv/logmanager-backups
   browseable = yes
   read only = no
   writable = yes
   guest ok = no
```

```
sudo systemctl restart smbd
sudo ufw allow samba
sudo smbpasswd -a <username>
```

![Samba configuration file with backup share definition for Logmanager archives](https://logmanager.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/backup-samba-configuration.png)Fig. 2: Samba configuration file with backup share definition for Logmanager archives.## 3. Connect Logmanager to the Share

In the Logmanager web interface, go to **System → Backup &amp; Restore**. Enter the SMB username, password, target URL, and the scheduled time for periodic backups. Enable automatic archiving and save the configuration.

![Logmanager Backup and Restore page with SMB backup settings filled in](https://logmanager.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/backup-logmanager-configuration.png)Fig. 3: Logmanager Backup and Restore page with SMB backup settings filled in.## 4. Verify Archive Creation

After the first scheduled run, a list of created backups should appear below the configuration form. This confirms that Logmanager can authenticate to the share and store archives successfully.

![Logmanager backup list showing created daily archives after successful SMB backup setup](https://logmanager.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/backup-list-of-daily-backups.png)Fig. 4: Logmanager backup list showing created daily archives after successful SMB backup setup.