Remote shared folder/file access

Velvis

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Medfield, MA
I have a client running Server 2008 R2, but not running as a domain, just a file share and VPN for remote desktop.

One share folder is about 100GB and a user outside of the office needs access to that folder.

What are my options to make this happen?

Thanks!
 
DattoDrive...free for the first year. 10 bucks a month for the basic service after that, unlimited users.
It's dang stable, fast, secure. Has optional tiers that have more features, such as integration with active directory.

It's based off of the popular cloud sync product called OwnCloud, which Datto bought up last year.
 
I have a client running Server 2008 R2, but not running as a domain, just a file share and VPN for remote desktop.

One share folder is about 100GB and a user outside of the office needs access to that folder.

What are my options to make this happen?

Thanks!

If the individual files are small, the connection is fast or the requirement is only to take a copy of the files and work on them locally, the folder could be accessed over the existing VPN. Alternatively, make the folder accessible to the RDP session to be either accessed within the session or copied to/from the local machine.
 
DattoDrive...free for the first year. 10 bucks a month for the basic service after that, unlimited users.
It's dang stable, fast, secure. Has optional tiers that have more features, such as integration with active directory.

It's based off of the popular cloud sync product called OwnCloud, which Datto bought up last year.

Does Datto Drive protect against ransomware as well?
 
Does Datto Drive protect against ransomware as well?
How does Datto compare for online backup?

I have a price conscious client that had been using crashplan for just his server. Looking for something for all the office computers.
 
I've not tested Datto Drive but if it's like ownCloud community the catch is the initial setup. In ownCloud, like other services such as Drop Box and One Drive, a complete copy is copied to the remote machine. So that can take some time. And that does pose risks having everything on the remote machine.

My own business files are on ownCloud so update on regular laptops. Many of my customers are setup with VPN as they just need to access a few files. If they are small I tell them they can directly edit but if they are beyond a couple of MB I tell them it's best to copy to local, edit and then copy back.
 
Is it possible to map a remote drive to the user?

Using something like ownCloud, that is not what happens. A local store is created which replicates the server side.

Actually mapping a drive requires a TCP/IP connection to the server side LAN. No problem over VPN, do it all the time. I use OS X but from what I remember it's the same with M$ OS's.
 
Using something like ownCloud, that is not what happens. A local store is created which replicates the server side.

Actually mapping a drive requires a TCP/IP connection to the server side LAN. No problem over VPN, do it all the time. I use OS X but from what I remember it's the same with M$ OS's.
They have a VPN (I believe the one built into Windows server) that they use to access their work PCs from home. Is there more info on how to set something up that just maps the server shared drive with a remote user? (They have no on premise computer)




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They have a VPN (I believe the one built into Windows server) that they use to access their work PCs from home. Is there more info on how to set something up that just maps the server shared drive with a remote user? (They have no on premise computer)
Sent from mTalk

Based on what you are describing they may have a VPN gateway if they can access their PC's. How are they accessing their PC's? Using remote desktop? At any rate if it's a VPN gateway they should be able to map a drive using an IP if it's properly setup on the server side.
 
Is it possible to map a remote drive to the user?
Over VPN, just map the drive as you would normally but, as Mark says, use the (internal) IP address of the remote computer instead.
eg: \\10.10.10.100\SharedFolder

However, if they're using RD, I would just make the share available to the users from within the RD session (if practical). Access to the files will be faster inside the session since they're local to the session host. The usability of a remote mapped drive will be largely dependant on the speed and reliability of the internet connection (at both ends).
 
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Over VPN, just map the drive as you would normally but, as Mark says, use the (internal) IP address of the remote computer instead.
eg: \\10.10.10.100\SharedFolder

However, if they're using RD, I would just make the share available to the users from within the RD session (if practical). Access to the files will be faster inside the session since they're local to the session host. The usability of a remote mapped drive will be largely dependant on the speed and reliability of the internet connection (at both ends).
Ok,I set up a new VPN user and connected and set up the mapped drive. All seems to work well.

Question: when the user is connected to the VPN is all Internet traffic routed through the server?

The computer is a personal one and they live several states away, so I am assuming they should only be on the VPN when they need access to the shares or is there a way to keep normal Internet traffic not thought the VPN, but keep the connection for access to the shared drive?




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Yep, if the remote user does not have a desktop in the office to RD to
Ok,I set up a new VPN user and connected and set up the mapped drive. All seems to work well.

Question: when the user is connected to the VPN is all Internet traffic routed through the server?

The computer is a personal one and they live several states away, so I am assuming they should only be on the VPN when they need access to the shares or is there a way to keep normal Internet traffic not thought the VPN, but keep the connection for access to the shared drive?




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

That is an option in all VPN clients I have worked with. So open the client and look around. You do not want to route all traffic if it's a personal computer.
 
Question: when the user is connected to the VPN is all Internet traffic routed through the server?
Depends on the VPN settings; it can work either way.

Easiest way to tell is to check the public IP address before and after connecting (eg type 'IP Address' into Google).
 
So thats on the client side? She will be using the VPN connection built into Windows 10. Will that have the capability?
 
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