There are plenty of ways to access your remote server but not all access is equal. It all depends on roles on workflow:
• IT support access.
-Your IT team needs instant access to workstations and servers.
• Mobile device access
-Instant access to documents at your fingertips on the road
• Work at home solutions
-VPN or tunneling allows your computer to act like it’s at work but remote desktop sharing may be a less eye gouging experience. Alternatively, file sync solutions is increasingly is becoming the de facto standard.
We will discuss these options in details and sometimes provide some nitty gritty details on setup depending on the ease of use factor.
Synology File Server Remote Access Support
Synology File Server is more than just a server. It has a lot of built in remote access functionality. These remote services include mobile phone photo backup, surveillance camera footage, and access to files stored on the server and workstations of your network using Cloud Station Sync or DiskStation File.
Synology’s Quick Connect allows easy to setup access to these services. However, Quick Connect is less secure for passing sensitive data over the internet and therefore dismissed by our team as a secure way to conduct business. Application specific ports must be open on your firewall and dynamic DNS services need to be enabled for locating your workstation remotely through the preferred method of accessing the file server remotely. Below are the default ports for Synology services. Please note: It is always recommended to change the default ports. Also, the less ports you have to open on your firewall, the more secure your organization is.
Firewall Ports
You can bypass port forwarding setup on your router if you proceed with Synology’s Quick Connect. Otherwise, consider what services you need open from the list above. We are steadily building a list of remotely accessible setup instructions. Photo Station is ideal for individuals who consume a lot of space on the smart phone with photos and media and need a place to archive it. Photographers and families come to mind when using this. However, basic phone users may struggle this application. Contact for Synology file server support. The alternative iPhone app is buying more iCloud storage or tethering a cable to computer and making a local back up to your computer. With that said, here’s a quick note for a Synology Diskstation Photo Station Setup and LogMeIn
Photo Station Setup
• Initiate Photo Station Service within Disk Station Manager.
• Enable user accounts that need photo station access
Log into the accounts that need Photo Sharing Service. * Make sure you activate the user home service first before enable personal photo station service. Home Service creates Home Folders for each user account. Additional features that need to be enabled are listed below.
Remote Desktop Screen Sharing Services for File Server Remote Access Support
LogMeIn Central
LogMeIn Central is the portal used for accessing remote desktops, workstations, and servers. It does not require any firewall hole poking. In fact, it contains multiple to manage users and lock down security. The agents used to create remote accessibility for these computers can be downloaded at www.logmein.com/logmein.msi LogMeIn Central offer basic remote access or LogMeIn Pro. Be careful when purchasing as most organizations do not need the added functionality and expense of a Pro account. Anyway, this service is the bees knees for remote server support.
• 5 Pack is around $300
• Central Basic: Starts at $499.00 for 25 computers, per year.
• Central Plus: Starts at $999.00 for 25 computers, per year.
• Central Premium: Starts at $1,299.00 for 25 computers, per year.
Join.me provides instant access for conducting meetings or remote presentations. It’s pretty intuitive for most novice users but it can be frustrating to use if you provide IT support.
ShowMyPC
This is great for introductory IT support while the help desk team preps the workstation and the organization they are supporting for a more long term solution. It also can be used on Macs and basic server support.
File Synchronization Software
File synchronization software makes more and more sense these days to reference a URL in your email rather than an attachment. The URL is a link to your box.net account and box.net can be synced to your workstation or even better a Synology Disk Station. This is great for presenting documents to a client in an articulate manor. Attachments get lost and it’s hard to decipher within multiple attachments in an email the difference in file content between one attached file from another.
An ideal workflow is to have your workstation as a sandbox for current projects that are backed up to the server using something like Disk Station Cloud Client if you have a Synology Disk Station. Then have the mapped drive locations for you to save the final version and or collaboration with your peers as seen on the right.
The H, W, Y, and Z are mapped drives to the server (diskstation) location.
Throw on Cloud Sync on the diskstation and connect to Box.net for creating URLs to the documents you are sharing with the pubic at work and on the go.
As you read here today, File Server remote access is all what you make of it. It varies from organization to organization and person to person. Figure out what best suits your need and contact us for all your file server needs.
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