Solved How do I network drive to allow colleagues access to

[Hell Bomb]

OK, I want to set up a server so that I can allow multiple people access to it. Essentially it will be a file server, but I want to let people map it like a network drive over the internet. Can someone point me in the right direction so that I can at figure out how to set something like this up? I have even been having a hard time googleing the answers i want. Also I want to set up a login and permissions. I am assuming windows will be the best way to do this.

 

[Dave Atkin]

Hello,

How to configure a mapped drive is here:
XP: Map Network Drive - How to Map a Network Drive in Windows XP Using Windows Explorer

Windows 7: http://www.itechtalk.com/thread3673.html

Remember to check the share permissions on the File Server. What OS are you using for this? How many users is it for?


Dave

 

[Hell Bomb]

looking to have a server for no more then 50 users on this setup. I have not chosen a OS yet, kinda wanted to get a little more information before i choose. Been having a hard time figuring out what i should be researching to accomplish this. Mostly the information i have been trying to figure out is how to set up a server and share it over the internet securely. I am about to being several large projects and need an easy way for everyone to collaborate, and this seems to the best option. If you can help point me in the right direction for the following topics i would be greatly apperciative.
- Which OS should I use?
- How can i set up a file server online i can map in windows xp, vista, 7

* Also i need to be able to set login permissions for this, which i am assuming i will do using active directory?

 

[Fred Garvin]

I would look at Windows Home Server 2011 or Windows SBS if you want to set up a computer file server. Home server has the ability to share files and folders via a web browser login, not sure if you can map a drive with it. You can also easily set up user names and permissions to deny or permit various levels of access to files & folders.

If you look at NAS drives, most of them offer similar features and a collection of apps to make resources available over the net. If you set up WebDAV access, XP users can map to the network drive over the internet in 2 seconds. For Vista & 7 clients, they can map to the NAS with a free program like Netdrive.

 

[Dave Atkin]

Windows Home Server 2011 isnt an option if its for a business network.

Windows SBS 2011 is very easy to configure - There is however a limitation of 75 Users for SBS.

Ideally, I think you would need a Windows 2008 Server - If you're not familier with Windows and Active Directory you will probably struggle to configure it correctly. If you are going to mapp drives over the internet then it maybe a good idea to get another Server for Remote Desktop Services (Terminal Server).

There are alot of things that you need to think about. Some are:
Do they have an existing setup or is it brand new?
How much file space is needed?
Do you need Exchange Server or another email program?
Do you need a Terminal Server or VPNs?
Backups - How are you going to backup?
Do you need a seperate Server for a File-Server?
Do you need secondary Domain controllers for resilience?

My suggestion is that you get an IT consultant to assess your situation and recommend a solution for you. If you dont have a basic understanding of Active Directory and Networking then you are going to seriously struggle.


Dave

 

[Hell Bomb]

Windows Home Server 2011 isnt an option if its for a business network.

Windows SBS 2011 is very easy to configure - There is however a limitation of 75 Users for SBS.

Ideally, I think you would need a Windows 2008 Server - If you're not familier with Windows and Active Directory you will probably struggle to configure it correctly. If you are going to mapp drives over the internet then it maybe a good idea to get another Server for Remote Desktop Services (Terminal Server).

There are alot of things that you need to think about. Some are:
Do they have an existing setup or is it brand new?
How much file space is needed?
Do you need Exchange Server or another email program?
Do you need a Terminal Server or VPNs?
Backups - How are you going to backup?
Do you need a seperate Server for a File-Server?
Do you need secondary Domain controllers for resilience?

My suggestion is that you get an IT consultant to assess your situation and recommend a solution for you. If you dont have a basic understanding of Active Directory and Networking then you are going to seriously struggle.

Dave

Do they have an existing setup or is it brand new? New
How much file space is needed? 1-2 tb
Do you need Exchange Server or another email program? no
Do you need a Terminal Server or VPNs? I was thinking VPN for security
Backups - How are you going to backup? Raid 5 should be enough
Do you need a seperate Server for a File-Server? Looking to use this as a file server
Do you need secondary Domain controllers for resilience? Na

Talking to one guy today saying that VPN with a NAS would be the way to go for my situation. The point of this is to add a very simple to use network drive so me and my colleagues can share files easily.

I broke down what I am really looking for in my setup.

ability to control who can access it over the Internet
allow secure connection to it
allow the drive to be mapped like a network drive
ability to raid 5
no email, http access required
ability so assign permissions to certain users per folder (Dictate who can read/write/map certain folder)
maximum of 25 users online simultaneously

Things i would like:
allow access for windows, linux and possible mac user

 

[Dave Atkin]

Hello,

RAID 5 isnt a good enough backup system. You will also want to look at Backup Software like Acronis to image the drives and then take it off site.

VPN's would be more secure but you would need a VPN capable router like a SonicWall or WatchGuard.

A VPN and NAS wont give you the ability of controlling the users on the network very well. Active Directory would give you all the control you need. You would be able to control who sees what by security groups or user based folder permissions.

You've dismissed the secondary domain controller. Just bare in mind that if the Server ever fails Users will not be able to log onto the network.

HTTP access required? Are you hosting a website? SBS 2011 comes with IIS. Personally I would put a busy website on its own server.

Max of 25 Users online simultaneously?

SBS 2011:
Windows Small Business Server 2011 Standard

Windows Server 2008:
Microsoft Windows Server 2008 R2 Overview

Make sure that you know the two above products and their advantages / disadvantages.



Dave

 

[Fred Garvin]

I'd disagree on a couple points Dave. Hell Bomb wasn't talking about setting up a domain, just a simple file sever with permissions. WHS & a NAS drive both allow for setting file sharing permissions for multiple users. I have both options running in offices with no problems.

Now if it's for a larger business that needs the extra options Server 2008 provides, that's different. But there is also more work, maintenance and knowledge required with Server 2008. RAID's not an issue, that's handled with the hardware. I do agree on needing a backup, both of which are included in the above options or by using 3rd party software as you mentioned.

 

[Dave Atkin]

As always Fred, glad to have your input. .

In my opinion NAS Devices are great upto about 10 Users. After that you may want a more flexible system.

 

[Fred Garvin]

Point taken, Dave, since NAS drives don't all use the same OS.

 

[DeaconFrost]

You aren't going to find something that lets you map to as a drive (automatically at boot) and be shared over the internet. The best you can hope for is a VPN connection that the user has to kick off, follow by the user running a script to connect the drives.

If it is for simple file sharing, you could just look into a WHS 2011 box and have them use the web console. That's your cheapest and easiest setup.

To accomplish all of your goals, the computers would have to be on the same network.

 

[Hell Bomb]

After a considerable amount of research i think I'm gonna get a NAS with a VPN service built into it. NAS's from Synology seem to have that functionality. VPN will allow me to control who has access to it and keep everything secure. Also should let it work with all OS's which will suite what im trying to do quite well.

 

[Dave Atkin]

I'm glad you have found a solution. Good luck .

Dave

 

[Fred Garvin]

After a considerable amount of research i think I'm gonna get a NAS with a VPN service built into it. NAS's from Synology seem to have that functionality. VPN will allow me to control who has access to it and keep everything secure. Also should let it work with all OS's which will suite what im trying to do quite well.

Dave brings up a good point for how many users the Synology will handle. It's something worth looking into. I've got a smaller Synology raid drive in an office for backups and it works very well. You can create users and assign permissions within its software. It has multiple ways for you to access files remotely. If you setup the WebDav server, you can map a drive to it remotely.

Just a tip. Review Synology's recommended hard drive list before you build and download the latest firmware before setting everything up.