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No SFTP in ReadyNAS 2312; best public server alternative?
I've set up a new ReadyNAS 2312 primarily as a local backup destination but now that it's in place I'm thinking of other uses for it. I regularly transfer multi-GB files to individuals, and have...
The NAS is not set up for individual file or folder permissions, you'll need one or more shares for sharing. And you'll also have to poke a hole in your router firewall.
ReadyCLOUD may be an answer, but I recommend you also look at OwnCloud or NextCloud rather than use the NAS authentication system for occasional guest users. That's what they were built for (though they've been expanded to do much more over time) You can get a ReadyNAS ready version of either at https://rnxtras.com/ for a very reasonable fee.
I use OwnCloud myself. NextCloud was in the very early stages when I implemented it, and I just stuck with what I know. I'd probably choose NextCloud today if starting fresh.
Do you have a static public IP address and/or domain name? One of the issues you may have is installing an SSL certificate so that the user doesn't get that same warning about the site being unsafe that you do. That might turn customers away. And a domain name (which can be via dynamic IP, but is easier with static) is required for installing the certificate. ReadyCloud does avoid that part of the process as well as the poking a hole in the firewall.
Thanks folks. I suppose I should explain that I'm a network n00b and all that I know, I know from the ultra-reliabl, always-true internet ;-)
The question came up because I thought it'd be clever to set up my own file server for these occasional file distribution needs. I've got the hardware, so why not. When I saw in the share setup that the protocol FTP was available but not SFTP, I remembered from prior reading that FTP is old and insecure. I scanned the manual for mention of "SFTP" and didn't find it, but I did find "FTPS". I googled the difference and learned that FTPS is a security layer on top of FTP, while SFTP is completely different and considerably more secure. Again, just what I read.
If I can't do single-link to a file, but can link directly to a directory, that'd be fine. If I have to set up a login for each user / folder, c'est la vie. Probably better anyway.
I have not actually read through the steps to create an FTPS server in the manual yet, so I if it's complicated to set up ("more effort with NAT port forwarding" sounds above my pay grade) I may not be successful, but I can certainly give it a shot.
Ultimately, because I'm no IT expert, my #1 concern isn't that it'll be hard to set up, but that I'll do something wrong or choose a bad protocol and leave my entire network open to any fifth grader with a chromebook who watched a "how to hack" video on youtube.
So, should I just go ahead with FTPS (or FTPES, if that's what it actually is) and consider that secure enough?
Thanks again,
-Joseph
The NAS is not set up for individual file or folder permissions, you'll need one or more shares for sharing. And you'll also have to poke a hole in your router firewall.
ReadyCLOUD may be an answer, but I recommend you also look at OwnCloud or NextCloud rather than use the NAS authentication system for occasional guest users. That's what they were built for (though they've been expanded to do much more over time) You can get a ReadyNAS ready version of either at https://rnxtras.com/ for a very reasonable fee.
I use OwnCloud myself. NextCloud was in the very early stages when I implemented it, and I just stuck with what I know. I'd probably choose NextCloud today if starting fresh.
Do you have a static public IP address and/or domain name? One of the issues you may have is installing an SSL certificate so that the user doesn't get that same warning about the site being unsafe that you do. That might turn customers away. And a domain name (which can be via dynamic IP, but is easier with static) is required for installing the certificate. ReadyCloud does avoid that part of the process as well as the poking a hole in the firewall.
Sandshark wrote:ReadyCLOUD may be an answer…
oh! I'd already set that up, and I thought it was just for my own use. I just poked around in it and see that you can set up a link to any folder or file, password protect it, limit downloads and even get notified when it's ready. Heck, this is perfect, and no (more) setup required. Sold!!
Thanks to everyone for the help. And I'm really glad I don't have to get tricky with my firewall now ;-)
Cheers,
-Joseph
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