[Samba] Mac Time Machine backups

[torch]

The reddit post may have based its Avahi config on an old Apple document:
https://developer.apple.com/library/archive/releasenotes/NetworkingInternetWeb/Time_Machine_SMB_Spec/ <https://developer.apple.com/library/archive/releasenotes/NetworkingInternetWeb/Time_Machine_SMB_Spec/>

As far as your smb.conf, you should take a look at the docs for the vfs_fruit module : https://www.samba.org/samba/docs/current/man-html/vfs_fruit.8.html <https://www.samba.org/samba/docs/current/man-html/vfs_fruit.8.html>.  

Note that fruit extensions enhance general Mac interoperability with Samba servers, in addition to the Time Machine functionality.

My comments in CAPS below

[global]
# I don't know if these are needed:
obey pam restrictions = yes
## OK FOR MAC/LINUX ONLY CLIENTS 
dns proxy = no
## YOU CAN ALSO UNCOMMENT THESE FOR MAC/LINUX ONLY CLIENTS
#disable netbios = yes
#smb ports = 445

## SUGGEST LEAVE NEXT 3 PARAMETERS AT DEFAULT
##unix extensions = no
##wide links = yes
##acl allow execute always = yes

## MACS NEGOTIATE FRUIT EXTENSIONS AT INITIAL CONNECT
## WHICH MAY NOT BE FOR TIME MACHINE
## ADD VFS OBJECTS TO GLOBAL AS WELL AS TM
vfs objects = catia fruit streams_xattr

# I don't have any printers:
printcap name = /dev/null
load printers = no

# %m expands to client machine's name:
log file = /var/log/samba/%m.log

# This apparently sets the icon that appears in the Finder on the Mac.
# What are the available models?  Default is apparently "MacSamba”.
## VALID MODELS ARE FOUND IN 
## /System/Library/CoreServices/CoreTypes.bundle/Contents/Info.plist
## YOU CAN DOUBLE-TAP AND SELECT Quick Look “info.plist” 
fruit:model = MacPro

# This isn't mentioned in the docs, hmm:
## INCORRECT PARAMETER - FULLSYNC ENABLE BY FRUIT:TIME MACHINE- SEE VFS_FRUIT DOC
##fruit:advertise_fullsync = true

# My additions:
## AGREE - NEED SMB2+ TO GET FRUIT EXTENSIONS
server min protocol = SMB2
## AGREE - SHOULD SPEED UP COPY
use sendfile = yes
## SUGGEST YOU ALSO INCLUDE THIS
fruit:copyfile = yes

## IF YOU HAVE ONLY MAC/ LINUX CLIENTS YOU CAN UNCOMMENT THESE

## IF GNOME TRACKER RUNS ON YOUR SMB SERVER YOU CAN UNCOMMENT THIS
#spotlight = yes 

[TimeMachine]
# Hmm, could use the machine name %m rather than the user name %U here.
# (I have one user per client machine, with the same name.)
path = /srv/timemachine/%U

# Note sure about this; it's saying that the only valid username is the 
# username that the client is trying to use.  How is that different from 
# saying all users are valid?
valid users = %U

writable = yes

vfs objects = catia fruit streams_xattr

# Not the default; it is needed?
## SUGGEST LEAVE AT DEFAULT
##inherit acls = yes

# Need this!
## AGREE - NOTE THIS ALSO REGISTERS SHARE WITH MDNS/AVAHA/BONJOUR IF SAMBA BUILT WITH MDNS SUPPORT
fruit:time machine = yes

Torch