What command is used to mount a Samba share in Linux?

The command used to mount a Samba share in Linux is "mount -t cifs". This command utilizes the Common Internet File System (CIFS), which is a protocol that allows sharing files and printers over the network. CIFS is essentially an extension of the SMB (Server Message Block) protocol and is specifically designed to handle the mutual access of resources in networked environments, which is typical in scenarios involving Samba.

When mounting a Samba share, specifying the type as 'cifs' is essential because it instructs the mount command on how to interpret the given share. This enables the Linux system to communicate with the Samba server correctly and access the shared resources.

Other options do not suitable for mounting Samba shares. For instance, "mount -t nfs" is specifically intended for Network File System (NFS) shares, which function differently from Samba, primarily used in UNIX/Linux environments for providing shared access to files over a network. "mount -t smb" might seem plausible for SMB shares, but this is not the correct command syntax; 'cifs' is the designated file system type to use. Lastly, "mount -t vfat" is used for mounting FAT file systems, typically used for removable media like USB drives, and is