Keep file server's security and control model, and give it modern file sync and share functionality.
Introduction
Love your Windows File Server's security and control but you also love cloud's ease of use and productivity? You can get both with
CentreStack!
Have you looked in the market for a product that can extend your file server's reach outside of your office building so it is easier
for you to access from remote locations and from mobile devices? Yes CentreStack can do it!
Have you tried Dropbox or other public cloud storage solution and at the end found out how messy it was to the security and permission?
Yes CentreStack solved the security and permission from ground up!
Problem Statement - Security or Mobility?
Businesses need ways to access local file server over the Internet from mobile devices and remote locations for productivity gain.
This trend is pushing local file server content outward towards public file sharing services such as Dropbox and OneDrive.
For example, employees are using 3rd party file sharing services on their own to be more productive.
However, the security and control is becoming a big concern for businesses that are sensitive to regulation and data leakage problems.
This is forcing companies to give up on public file sharing services by blocking them and revert back to traditional methods such as virtual private network (VPN) to access corporate data.
The situation is even more complicated when you need to collaborate across multiple file servers in multiple
sites.
Businesses need a way to access file server content over the Internet, migrate file server content to cloud storage for continuity,
and present a unified namespace across all distributed file servers.
Previous Options
Businesses have traditionally relied on virtual private network (VPN) solutions
to access corporate data. However VPN has its own problems, which is not a good fit for a modern mobility and productivity friendly solution. Most of the time, VPN is a headache for manage service providers since they normally generate quite some support tickets.
Besides the VPN problems, you will also need additional solutions to
enable mobile access, web browser based access, sync & share, team collaboration
functionalities. You will also need solutions for backup and multi-site collaboration.
CentreStack Solution
CentreStack file server integration solves these problems by installing agent software on your file server or directly mount your file server network share into CentreStack if direct access is available.
It intelligently manages local and cloud storage together to provide a range of cloud enablement options.
Most important, the security and permission is maintained as if it was never changed.
Anywhere Access to File Shares
You can attach local file server folders to your CentreStack server. After the
storage is attached, it is accessible online, enabling web browser access and mobile
access. At the same time, the file server is still providing network share access over the local area network.
Migrate Existing File Shares to Cloud Storage
For the attached local folder, the file server content will be migrated over time
to cloud storage. When it is an enabling method for online access, it is also a
backup process happening in the background.
Global Workspace
You can attach local folders from different file servers to your CentreStack account.
It is a global namespace unifying the different file servers into a single
folder structure, enabling multiple-site collaboration. It is a distributed file system in the cloud.
Server in the Cloud
You can also leverage the features above by using the existing file server as a private cloud
Use Case #1 - Migrating File Servers to Cloud Storage
CentreStack File Server Agent shall be installed on the file server that you would like to
migrate to cloud over time. It supports Windows 2003/2008/2012/2016 (32-bit/64-bit).
In some other implementations, if the file server is in the same network as the CentreStack server, a direct connection is also possible (see Use Case #2).
Use Case #2 - Using File Servers as Private Cloud Storage
For ultimate security and control, you can deploy CentreStack on-premise
yourself so the whole solution is part of the infrastructure that is completely under your
control. It gives you remote and mobile access to your file server with all Active Directory security and NTFS permission control intact.
Summary
CentreStack File Server Agent combines the strengths of cloud storage technology and with a traditional file server to enable access from the cloud and from the local area network.
Your Windows file server is cloud enabled with CentreStack software.
See Also
Online Access to File Server
Share File from File Server
VPN Alternative to Remote File Access