Seamlessly merge local IT infrastructure with cloud storage
Access Cloud Storage with Active Directory Identities
Introduction
This white paper describes CentreStack
with Active Directory integration. The solution can be used by businesses
to privately deploy and host a file sync and share solution, providing an access layer
(browser, mobile, desktop and file server access) around private cloud storage service
and local file server network share, and retaining full control of data and the related
access infrastructure.
Problem Statement
Many businesses have standardized on Active Directory for network administration and
security. Active Directory is used to authenticate and authorize users for secure
network resource access inside the business IT infrastructure.
With the need of a private enterprise file sync and share (EFSS) solution, businesses
want the EFSS solution to integrate natively with Active Directory for security and control, with
both identity authentication and leverage group membership for file sharing.
CentreStack brings private online access solutions to existing network
file resources such as file server storage, NAS storage or SAN storage.
CentreStack
also brings private online access solution to private cloud storage
solutions such as OpenStack Swift.
It makes perfect sense for CentreStack to tightly integrate with Active
Directory so the private online access solution can be seamlessly merged with
the existing IT infrastructure such as the Active Directory.
Previous Options
Many current online storage solutions provide their own user management solution.
Typically you will need to type in a user first name, last name and email address;
generate a password before the user can use the online storage solution. In this
scenario, when the user
accesses existing IT infrastructure, they are using their Active Directory identities.
And when they are using an outside online storage solution, they are using another set
of user identities.
Some other solutions provide SAML integration. It may solve the identity authentication problem, but it may not be
able to leverage the Active Directory group membership for team folder sharing.
CentreStack Solution
CentreStack provides a solution for the problem above
through native integration with Active Directory. Users only need to use and remember
their own Active Directory user identities.
Benefit 1 - Support Active Directory Users
There is no additional setup to add active directory users to the solution. Active
Directory users can simply log in to the private online storage solution, the on-premise EFSS solution.
Benefit 2 - Share Folders with Active Directory Group
You can publish team folders to an Active Directory
User Groups. Other solution may only provide authentication integration without the
Active Directory group support.
Implementation
CentreStack should be installed on a Windows 2008 R2, or a Windows 2012 /R2 server as shown in the following configuration. You can connect
Active Directory to the CentreStack instance (server farm).
Summary
CentreStack leverages the local connectivity to Active Directory and
tightly integrates with Active Directory identity and Active Directory group to provide a seamlessly integrated file
sync and share solution (EFSS) with the existing IT infrastructure.
The end result is a solution that Enterprises can easily deploy for their own private
cloud storage service, with native Active Directory integration.
For more information, please contact Gladinet Support @ enterprise@gladinet.com
or visit http://www.centrestack.com
See Also
Installable Enterprise Sync & Share Solution