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Netgear Terminating ReadyCLOUD Service
Since Netgear will terminate ReadyCLOUD service by April 1st, how can I access to my NAS device remotely? Is there any solutions/instructions by Netgear or anyone who can using other solutions? Thx...
Yes, there are alternatives, which have already been discussed in other message threads..
A VPN hosted in your router and ZeroTier are the easiest/most secure, IMHO. You can also make provisions for remotely using FTPS or SFTP via port forwarding, but that requires you to either have a fixed IP or use a Dynamic DNS provider. There are even ways to use OwnCloud or NextCloud, setting up the shares you want to access as "external" (to OwnCloud/NextCloud). They also require a fixed IP or DDNS, but are a bit more secure (IMHO) than port forwarding.
As for why, it's very clear that Netgear is leaving the NAS market, though this will also affect a lot of their routers that offer it. ReadyCloud requires that Netgear maintain a server that acts as the "operator" to connect your NAS and app. And, of course, they have to do updates of the app as other OSes change and provide user support. Since they don't charge for it, they rely on new sales to fund it, and those have gone away as far as NAS are concerned.
givememynamebak wrote:
- Have you guys done anything to move away from Netgear OS on your existing hardware? (I've seen those threads too)- Have you decided on a future brand NAS box? If so, may I ask what brand?
I have not done anything to move away from the Netgear OS, and am not planning to by a new NAS at present.
Personally I use my NAS just for storage - applications are run on an always-on PC that has the NAS volume mapped to a drive letter. I don't allow inbound connections to my NAS from over the internet either (no port forwarding).
So I am ok just continuing to run them for the time being. I've also found the hardware to be very reliable, so they could well remain in service for many more years.
If I were looking at a new model today, I'd be looking at Synology first.
StephenB- Thank you for your reply! I'm hoping for the same (a longer life without having to upgrade). I've looked at Synology a bit, but the hardware is lacking and it appears like some boxes require Synology branded/specific drives.
Xpenology is another option. choice of your own hardware. It can be setup as virtual machines as well.
tigerten wrote:
Xpenology is another option. choice of your own hardware. It can be setup as virtual machines as well.
Building your own NAS is another path. FreeNAS is another OS option.
I've seen some posts about switching the ReadyNAS OS to Xpenology, but not something I've tried. Likely it would be a one-way migration (no way to undo it).
Speaking of DIY, once upon a time I made my own NAS on HP Microserver Gen 8 but I don't recommend TrueNAS, it requires significant hardware and configuration is complicated for most users, OpenMediaVault is a little easier and convenient but my favorite is always to be Rockstor (openSUSE).
Have you looked at Asustor? Expansion capabilities are also good.
For about Netgear, I haven't had many problems so far and not complain aboout it's stability but from now on I'm thinking of staying away from Netgear NAS devices, especially which have slow 32Bit ARM processors like my RN214.
Leventh wrote:
Have you looked at Asustor?
Just took a quick look, and I think worth considering. Hardware looks good.
Leventh wrote:
but from now on I'm thinking of staying away from Netgear NAS devices, especially which have slow 32Bit ARM processors like my RN214.
The RN214 is a 7 year old platform, and I think was quite competitive when it was launched. It's still a good option for storage, as it will keep up with a gigabit network connection.
The "elephant in the room" is that Netgear hasn't launched a new ReadyNAS platform since 2017. No indication that it ever will, instead it looks like they are just quiet-quitting the storage segment of their business.
The VPN options for ReadyNAS also apply to other NAS systems. There are up-to-date specific versions of ZeroTier for some. So adopting one of those options makes things more future-proof and allows easy concurrent use of different brands (including DIY).
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