How to configure a low-cost NAS server for a Xiaomi MI Home Security Camera

samba-server-for-xiaomi-cameras.md

Samba Server configuration for Xiaomi MI Home Security Camera

This manual explains how to set up a low-cost NAS server to store videos from a Xiaomi camera, model MI Security Camera.

You can use a development board Linux based such as Raspberry PI or similar, an old PC, Barebone etc.

NAS Server Configuration

Install samba.

apt install samba

Create a user without password.

useradd smbcamrec

Create a SMB password from the user.

smbpasswd -a smbcamrec

Recommend: Use an external USB or hard disk to store the videos.

Format the external storage device.

mkfs.ext4 /dev/sdXY

Edit fstab.

cp /etc/fstab /etc/fstab.bak
echo '/dev/sdXY /media/sdXY ext4 defaults 0 0' >> /etc/fstab

Check fstab and mount.

mount -a

Edit the /etc/samba/smb.conf configuration file with the smb.conf file below.

Check the configuration.

testparm

Make the mount directory and change propietary and group.

/media/sdXY/smb/smbcamrec/cam01
/media/sdXY/smb/smbcamrec/cam02
chown -R smbcamrec:smbcamrec /media/sdXY/smb/smbcamrec

Restart service.

systemctl restart smbd.service

Smartphone Configuration

Open the Xiaomi Home app in your smartphone and configure the NAS server.

NOTE: The camera and the samba server must be on the same LAN.

Optional: Mount the NAS shared folder in Linux

Install the cifs-utils package.

apt install cifs-utils

Mount the NAS shared folder (replace the NAS_SERVER_IP_ADDRESS).

mkdir -p /media/smb/smbcamrec
mount -t cifs -o user=smbcamrec //NAS_SERVER_IP_ADDRESS/smbcamrec /media/smb/smbcamrec

Enjoy! :)

smb.conf

[global]
	workgroup = WORKGROUP
	log file = /var/log/samba/log.%m
	max log size = 1000
	logging = file
	panic action = /usr/share/samba/panic-action %d
	server role = standalone server
	obey pam restrictions = Yes
	unix password sync = Yes
	passwd program = /usr/bin/passwd %u
	passwd chat = *Enter\snew\s*\spassword:* %n\n *Retype\snew\s*\spassword:* %n\n *password\supdated\ssuccessfully* .
	pam password change = Yes
	map to guest = Bad User
	usershare allow guests = Yes
	
	client max protocol = NT1
	client min protocol = NT1
	server min protocol = NT1
	ntlm auth = ntlmv1-permitted
	idmap config * : backend = tdb
	
	invalid users = root

[smbcamrec]
	comment = Samba Camera Recorder
	create mask = 0660
	directory mask = 0770
	valid users = smbcamrec
	force user = smbcamrec
	guest ok = Yes
	path = /media/sda1/smb/smbcamrec
	read only = No

[cam01]
	comment = Camera 01
	create mask = 0660
	directory mask = 0770
	valid users = smbcamrec
	force user = smbcamrec
	guest ok = Yes
	path = /media/sda1/smb/smbcamrec/cam01
	read only = No

[cam02]
	comment = Camera 02
	create mask = 0660
	directory mask = 0770
	valid users = smbcamrec
	force user = smbcamrec
	guest ok = Yes
	path = /media/sda1/smb/smbcamrec/cam02
	read only = No