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Server in two seperate locations - mirrored?

Offline vaf

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Server in two seperate locations - mirrored?
« on: May 12, 2010, 12:32:45 PM »
I have an SME 7.4 server that I need to be accessible in another city. We have opened another office and at the moment FTP isn't cutting it!

The idea is to setup a NAS or PC in the new office and have it mirror the one of the three ibays shared on the main server.

The amount of data used in the new office is no more 50-100Mb per day, however the main issue is not allowing duplicate use of files (ie two people open and change the same file and overwrite eachother) - files need to be locked for editing when in use by other users, regardless of their location.

I am open to suggestions as to other ways of achieving this - I have never used VPN and don't know much about it, but am willing to to learn and try it if this is the best method.

Please help!

Thank you

Offline byte

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Re: Server in two seperate locations - mirrored?
« Reply #1 on: May 12, 2010, 01:13:10 PM »
I have an SME 7.4 server that I need to be accessible in another city. We have opened another office and at the moment FTP isn't cutting it!

FTP is insecure and sends data unencrypted...but I'm sure you knew that ;)

Quote
I am open to suggestions as to other ways of achieving this - I have never used VPN and don't know much about it, but am willing to to learn and try it if this is the best method.

Have a read of:

http://wiki.contribs.org/OpenVPN_Bridge

then look at High Availability to mirror or write a script.
« Last Edit: May 12, 2010, 01:20:22 PM by byte »
--[byte]--

Have you filled in a Bug Report over @ http://bugs.contribs.org ? Please don't wait to be told this way you help us to help you/others - Thanks!

Offline CharlieBrady

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Re: Server in two seperate locations - mirrored?
« Reply #2 on: May 12, 2010, 07:08:17 PM »
then look at High Availability to mirror or write a script.

Be warned that High Availability has many traps for the unwary, and is non-trivial with SME server.

Offline jester

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Re: Server in two seperate locations - mirrored?
« Reply #3 on: May 13, 2010, 12:45:03 AM »
I don't know if locking files in 2 locations at the same time can be done with HA (if you manage to setup HA properly with SME as Charlie said), but otherwise i don't think it can be done like that (yet?!).
I have made a small setup with 2 servers doing a two-way sync with Unison (over ssh), but that needs occasional manual intervention when the same file has been edited on both ends... but i think that's only workable under the right circumstances.

Offline vaf

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Re: Server in two seperate locations - mirrored?
« Reply #4 on: May 13, 2010, 02:44:18 AM »
So would you suggest to just use VPN instead?

If so would you know a good place to start regarding documentation for a VPN newbie?

Thank you again

Offline janet

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Re: Server in two seperate locations - mirrored?
« Reply #5 on: May 13, 2010, 03:35:01 AM »
vaf

Quote
If so would you know a good place to start regarding documentation for a VPN newbie?

Please try to do some searching & reading yourself !

I clicked on the clearly displayed Manual link at the top of these forums and within 3 seconds had this page on my screen
http://wiki.contribs.org/SME_Server:Documentation:User_Manual:Chapter1

If you click on the Howto link you would also see (I had this page up in about 10 seconds)
http://wiki.contribs.org/VPN_practical_tips

You were already given this link too
http://wiki.contribs.org/OpenVPN_Bridge
Please search before asking, an answer may already exist.
The Search & other links to useful information are at top of Forum.

Offline vaf

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Re: Server in two seperate locations - mirrored?
« Reply #6 on: May 13, 2010, 03:40:09 AM »
Thanks mary

I did ask for a suggestion, so thanks for your help.

Please understand, I have read all of these links, I was looking for something a bit more along the lines of security issues associated with VPN, pros and cons, alternatives, client applications, etc

Yes, I can keep hunting for these myself, but if a member has good documentation then it saves me from trawling through hours of Google links.

Offline CharlieBrady

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Re: Server in two seperate locations - mirrored?
« Reply #7 on: May 13, 2010, 04:18:17 AM »
Please understand, I have read all of these links, I was looking for something a bit more along the lines of security issues associated with VPN, pros and cons, alternatives, client applications, etc

You can find those yourself too, if you search.

Offline Marco Hess

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Re: Server in two seperate locations - mirrored?
« Reply #8 on: May 13, 2010, 07:02:19 AM »
Just my 2c worth, but automatic file locking (even when you get it to work) is depending on the application used for editing to actually implementing the locking mechanisms.

It may be better to get your users into a procedure/habit of explicit checkout/lock, edit and checkin/unlock using more universal tools. For example Subversion with TortoiseSVN on the PC or a document management system like Knowledgetree which also have checkout/checkin facilities. Both these systems also have webDAV features which allow the document tree still to be browsed as a normal directory structure.

Adelaide - Australia

Offline p-jones

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Re: Server in two seperate locations - mirrored?
« Reply #9 on: May 13, 2010, 08:41:32 AM »
Quote
http://wiki.contribs.org/OpenVPN_Bridge

Beware of OPEN-VPN bridging, it can get very slow. I have found Open VPN in routed mode more efficient.

I have an SME Server running inter-city through a routed mode open vpn. The VPN was constructed with two IPCop boxes and the Zerina addon.  It is very stable. The ADSL performance is the limiting factor. Building the VPN with IPCop is way easier than any of the SME options on offer. (IMHO)

HTH
Peter


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Offline sal1504

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Re: Server in two seperate locations - mirrored?
« Reply #10 on: May 14, 2010, 06:24:07 AM »
zaf

I use Netgear routers with VPN/Firewall, very easy to setup and excellent documentation on how to setup. See http://kb.netgear.com/app/products/model/a_id/2423. Tech support will help you select the right router for you.

Sal