Remote file access

What is remote file access?

Remote file access is a convenient service allowing users to access, edit, and share their files from anywhere. As long as you have a computer or mobile device connected to the internet, you can access your files.

Remote file access makes working from home or branch offices, traveling, and collaborating with geographically distant colleagues easy. If your organization has remote file access, it’ll increase productivity and simplify collaboration—no matter where your workers live and work. Consequently, you’ll be able to hire the best people for the job without worrying about their location and undertake collaborative projects between teams in different cities.

Remote file access servers will typically periodically sync your files, so you won’t have to worry about whether you’re using the most up-to-date version of your document in the way you might if you were dealing with files on a disk or flash drive. Any changes you make to a file will appear across all versions of the file.

After your file is on your remote access server, you can easily share it publicly or control who can view it. For example, the file may only be accessible to someone with an access link or specific individuals of your choosing. You can then control whether those with access to the file have editing permissions.

How to access shared files from anywhere using Serv-U

Accessing shared files and folders with SolarWinds Serv-U is easy thanks to Serv-U Web Client and FTP Voyager JV. You don’t even need any end-user client software. Just configure the Serv-U HTTP Listener, to start using these web-based FTP clients and remotely access files from anywhere.

After tool configuration users will be able to browse to your IP address or domain name and log on to your HTTP Listener. They can then log on using the Serv-U interface and connect their browser to the Serv-U FTP Listener.

Ensure you don’t have Serv-U installed on a server responsible for running a web server on port 80, as this can cause interference between the HTTP Listener and the web server. However, if you discover this is the case, you can configure the HTTP Listener to use a different port or assign several IP addresses to your server. One IP address should be dedicated to Serv-U, while another IP address should be available for the web server to use.

FTP web file sharing access vs cloud-based shared folders access

FTP web file sharing access and cloud-based share access both enable you to access shared files from anywhere—as long as you have the internet and a mobile device, a Mac, or a Windows computer. They’re both convenient methods of sharing, accessing, and editing files. However, they offer different levels of security.

When you use the cloud to store or share files outside of your corporate firewall, you make yourself more vulnerable to cyberattacks, information theft, and malware infections. You may also lack the ability to send encrypted files, control your files once they’re transferred, or audit sessions when sharing files via the cloud.

FTP web file sharing access solutions are more secure. They provide security for your files—whether they’re at rest or in motion. Some web access file sharing tools provide certificate-based authentication, internal resource protection, support for B2B protocols, reports on transfer activity and file access, and the ability to monitor file transfer progress in real time.

For example, not only does SolarWinds FTP Voyager support FTPS protocols, SFTP protocols, and authentication with public key authentication and X.509 client certifications, but it also relies on cryptography. Similarly, Serv-U MFT Server supports FTPS and SFTP protocols. It also supports secure file transfers over the web via HTTPS protocols and can run in FIPS-140-2 mode. This file server offers several encryption options, so you can rest assured your files will be transferred as safely as possible.

How does remote files access work in Serv-U?

To configure file sharing with the Serv-U file sharing feature, you’ll need to generate a file share link after logging into the Serv-U File Sharing console. If you’re planning on sending the file to a guest user, you’ll need to enter their email address, a subject title, and your contact information. You can set an expiration date for the link and decide whether you’d like to be notified when the files are downloaded, require users to enter a password before accessing Serv-U, or set a file size limit.

The Request Files Wizard makes requesting files from a guest just as easy as sending files to a guest. To receive a file from a guest, send them a link via email to a page where they can upload their file. Make sure to enter their email address, a subject title, and your contact information before setting an expiration date for the link to the file uploading page. With Serv-U You can:

• receive a notification when they’ve uploaded files
• require password protection
• set a file size limit
• receive an email copy with the upload link

With Serv-U, you can view a comprehensive dashboard to display sent or requested files, the dates they were sent, the recipients, and the date the link expires.

Beyond requesting and sharing files, Serv-U allows you to restrict file access based on IP address and bolster your security with Deny IP Access rules. When you create a Deny IP Access rule, the rule will deny connections from a specific IP address. It’ll continue to allow connections from other hosts. Deny IP Access rules are helpful when dealing with an automated password-guessing utility.

Likewise, you can set up IP Access rules to allow access to Serv-U based on IP address. By employing Allow rules, you can effectively limit incoming connections to trusted IP address ranges, such as your organization’s internal IP addresses or your partner’s IP addresses. Connections from IP addresses not included in your Allow rule will be automatically blocked.

Once you’ve integrated Serv-U with your existing shared storage and Active Directory domain, you’ll be able to access files from anywhere via innovative and easy-to-use web and mobile interfaces within Serv-U.