Enable online access to private storage service with existing active directory integration
Turn Private Storage into Cloud with Active Directory Identities
Introduction
This white paper describes how CentreStack enables online access to private storage services
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 existing file sharing solution via Windows File Server on the local area network. The businesses want to enable online access
and mobile access to the private storage services to enhance productivity, while at the same time, maintain security and control.
Many businesses also 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.
Extending the current access methods to private storage services shall be securely controlled by the Active Directory and controlled by company IT department or managed service provider.
As the CIO of the company, you are happy with your existing IT infrastructure,
and have all the file servers secure and under control. Your on-premise SAN and
NAS storage may have excess capacity planned years ago and will remain
sufficient for several
years to come. You are happy because everything is under control and growing as planned,
and your business is running smoothly.
However, you have a growing concern because
you have noticed the penetration of public cloud storage applications such
as Dropbox into your corporate IT infrastructure. Your employees have these applications on their laptops
making it easy to leak
corporate data to third party cloud storage services.
You
need a dropbox-like solution that you control 100%, using your existing
file servers, SAN storage and NAS storage. You don't want to make any new hardware investments,
but you want to plug in a dropbox-like solution to leverage your existing IT infrastructure and
while keeping it under your control.
Previous Options
There are private cloud solutions that come
with everything, including the new storage server, software and the access
clients. It could be expensive and you may not be ready to move away from your existing investment in file servers, SAN and
NAS storage.
CentreStack Solution
CentreStack provides a solution for the problem above by wrapping
all the file sync and share features into a Windows Installer package that
you can install on your own. The solution provides a complete access solution covering
browser access, mobile device access, desktop client access and file server access,
all with the speed of streaming HTTP transfers.
The solution integrates with your own file server storage, SAN storage or NAS storage.
It also integrates with your Active Directory and easily plugs into your
existing IT infrastructure.
Benefit 1 - Low Cost Solution
CentreStack is
a pure software based solution. It leverages your existing
IT infrastructure. You don't need to purchase new storage solutions or new hardware.
Benefit 2 - Fit Right In
The solution can be plugged into your existing
storage options and connected to
your existing Active Directory service making it easy to start and easy to use.
Benefit 3 - Complete Control
From storage, to user management to CentreStack as access infrastructure,
you have everything under control for a private cloud access solution.
Implementation
CentreStack should be installed on a Windows 2008 R2 server
, or a Windows 2012 R2 server as shown in the following configuration.
You will install the CentreStack inside a DMZ zone. It will have a
public DNS name that client devices can use to connect.
Below is a diagram for a CentreStack server farm, when it has more than
one server in the server farm.
For detailed implementation and deployment information, please reference the CentreStack Deployment Guide.
Summary
CentreStack leverages both the feature set of file sync and share solution and also
the strength of control of private deployment by
packaging features into a simple Windows Installable package.
The end result is a solution that Enterprises can easily deploy for their own private
cloud storage service and private file server network share, with native Active Directory integration.
For more information, please contact CentreStack Support @ enterprise@gladinet.com
or visit http://www.centrestack.com
See Also
Installable Enterprise Sync & Share Solution