Koozali.org: home of the SME Server
Obsolete Releases => SME Server 7.x => Topic started by: vaf on May 12, 2010, 12:32:45 PM
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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
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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 ;)
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.
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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.
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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.
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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
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vaf
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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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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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