NETGEAR is aware of a growing number of phone and online scams. To learn how to stay safe click here.
Forum Discussion
Solved
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.
I have netgear readynas rn204 4 3TB discs Firmwear 6.8.10.
Have used it for over 7 years for local storage and video and music files. Have 2 daughters , one living in USA and the other in England. They have there own folders on the NAS and we all access it remotely using readycloud. This allows them to share data files between them and me. I use readycloud to get video and music remotely from my server when away from home. Now ready cloud is being terminated so am looking for another way to do same as or similar to readycloud.
I have been following the current correspondence on the forum about this and have general idea of what is needed.
I note on the available Apps page of the Netgear system there is a VPN server which comes from Softether, which according to the blurb is better than OpenVPN. Anybody using this? I have installed the package on my NAS and downloaded the management service app on my pc from Softether web site.
Now although I have 30 plus years as communications software developer, it was over 25 years ago. I am now 80 years old and my physical and mental health is deteriorating so following the tutorials to set this system up is beyond me and I cannot get a simple direct connection to work between the NAS and my PC on my home network, let alone set up a remote connection.
Is there a simple help document that will work me through what is needed to set up a simple Adhoc system so that my daughter can log in to their folders on the system and I can remotely log into the whole server ?
Any assistance would be appreciated.
rodcrit wrote:
I note on the available Apps page of the Netgear system there is a VPN server which comes from Softether, which according to the blurb is better than OpenVPN. Anybody using this? I have installed the package on my NAS and downloaded the management service app on my pc from Softether web site.
This is not an app I use myself.
The version on the apps page is 1.5 (about 9 years old) so it is very out-dated. The current version is 4.41. The instructions on the softether web site might not match the old version you have. Updating it from ssh might not work, since the linux version in the NAS is also old.
Do you have a Nighthawk or Orbi router? Just wondering if it has OpenVPN built in.
Many thanks for responding to my plea for help. I have a BT smart hub 2. I don't know if this has OpenVPN, but have seen no mention of it in any documentation.
I confess I don't know where to go to from here.
it is annoying as I got the Netgear system because it had the readycloud facility which is relatively easy to use and now it is going to be terminated. I can understand why but means I can no longer use the system for what I designed it.
my daughter in America is the one most to be affected as she uses the system most for sharing stuff with her Sister, basically for free.
anyway thanks for response. will have to think where to go next.
rodcrit wrote:
Many thanks for responding to my plea for help. I have a BT smart hub 2. I don't know if this has OpenVPN, but have seen no mention of it in any documentation.
The documentation I am finding on-line doesn't have much content, but I am guessing that you don't have it in your router.
rodcrit wrote:
I confess I don't know where to go to from here.
ZeroTier can be installed on the NAS, though it also can be tricky to set up. Sandshark has current experience with ZeroTier, so could help you through the setup here.
One non-VPN option is to use FTPS - which is encrypted. The FileZilla client would work at the two remote sites.
You'd need to set up some port forwarding in the router, and assign the NAS an IP address. You'd also need a DDNS service. There would be some configuration needed on the NAS side - setting the passive port range, and ensuring that the NAS won't accept unencrypted FTP.
Plex could also be used for media playing - but while the NAS does have a plex app, I personally think you are better off setting up that on a PC.
NETGEAR Academy
Boost your skills with the Netgear Academy - Get trained, certified and stay ahead with the latest Netgear technology!
Join Us!
