How to mount a Backup Box over SMB/CIFS

Besides SSHFS, a Backup Box can also be mounted over SMB (CIFS), the protocol Windows uses for file sharing.

1. Install the CIFS utilities

apt-get update -y
apt-get install -y cifs-utils

2. Create the mount point

mkdir -p /mnt/backup

3. Mount over SMB

Use the address and credentials from your panel:

mount -t cifs //BACKUP_BOX_ADDRESS/backup /mnt/backup \
  -o user=USER,pass=PASSWORD,vers=3.0

4. Automatic mount at boot

For security, put the credentials in a separate file /root/.smbcred:

username=USER
password=PASSWORD

chmod 600 /root/.smbcred

Then in /etc/fstab:

//BACKUP_BOX_ADDRESS/backup /mnt/backup cifs _netdev,credentials=/root/.smbcred,vers=3.0 0 0

SSHFS or SMB?

SSHFS is encrypted by default and simpler for Linux servers, see mounting over SSHFS. SMB is useful for Windows compatibility or apps that require it.