NAS as network drive

[permka]

Hi all,

I am interested in buying a NAS that will mainly be used as a backup utility but it is important to me to be able to acces the files remotely.
As you see in the title I would like to have the ability to mount my NAS at home as a network drive, on my laptop and then access it from no matter where I am. Does a thing like that exist? And if yes how safe is it??

I have tried to see which NASs offer such a feature and quite frankly I got lost. I have not found any clear indication that a NAS could be used in such a way or perhaps I was not able to understand the technical jargon (Has iSCSI anything to do with it or not?).
I have seen that a lot of systems offer secure FTP capabilities but it is not exactly the same thing.

In a more general note, I want the NAS to be at least 2 drive in order to mirror the data, 4drive would be best, capacity wise, but it will all come down to the price. I have read the articles about how to choose a NAS and the smart SOHOs dont RAID article but given the fact that I cannot afford to buy two systems, RAID is my safest option (although unfortunately not 100% safe, as I read)

Tnx and really awsome site!

P.S.
I was here a few months ago asking again for advice but then a lot of things happened and completely dropped the whole story. Retrospectively, tnx for the advice given!

 

[thiggins]

First, RAID is not backup. I would suggest you at least invest in a USB drive for backup.

There are many NASes that will let you access files via web browser using HTTPs. But to mount the NAS remotely as a mapped drive, you need to use a VPN connection.

So you either need to have a router that functions as a VPN endpoint, or a NAS that supports terminating a VPN tunnel. Only the NETGEAR ReadyNAS will do that via ReadyNAS Remote.

VPN endpoint routers can be found by using the Router Charts and the VPN filter.

 

[permka]

First, RAID is not backup. I would suggest you at least invest in a USB drive for backup.

Yep I got that message really clear. A USB drive aint that expensive I will perhaps save some of the budget for one.

There are many NASes that will let you access files via web browser using HTTPs. But to mount the NAS remotely as a mapped drive, you need to use a VPN connection.

So you either need to have a router that functions as a VPN endpoint, or a NAS that supports terminating a VPN tunnel. Only the NETGEAR ReadyNAS will do that via ReadyNAS Remote.

VPN endpoint routers can be found by using the Router Charts and the VPN filter.

Hmm, I see I thought it was bit easier. I guess you understand the convenience of having the NAS mounted as a network drive, vs HTTPs.

If I go for HTTPs do you have personal experience with some of the most current systems? (Buffalo, QNAP, Synology, NETGEAR, others...)

TNX for the speedy reply!!!

 

[thiggins]

If I go for HTTPs do you have personal experience with some of the most current systems? (Buffalo, QNAP, Synology, NETGEAR, others...)

I haven't used any of them on a regular basis, sorry.

I suggest you stick with products that specifically support web-based remote access via a portal. These include Buffalo (Buffalonas.com), WD (MioNet), Seagate (Seagate Global Access), NETGEAR (ReadyNAS remote) and Cisco/Linksys Media Hub.

These services provide a portal or domain name and dynamic DNS service.

 

[permka]

Tnx again!!!