Looking for advice and assistance

[OldDuffer]

Hi,

I am looking for advice on how to set up the following scenario:

At home, I have always used Desktop PC's running Windows. All my user data is stored on the Synology NAS (nothing stored locally on the PC) and my network is hard wired Ethernet. I map network drives on my PC to gain access to shared folders on the NAS. I have been running in this manner for years and all works fine for me.

I now have a Microsoft Surface laptop and would very much like to use this 'on the move'. However, the mapped drive approach of accessing my data of course fails when I am away from from home. My goal is to be able to remotely run Excel spreadsheets with the exact same functionality 'on the move' as I have at home. I'm thinking that I might have to re-think the mapped drive approach to access my data on the NAS. (????)

I would really appreciate any help and/or suggestions.

 

[Rusty]

Welcome.

Three scenarios come to mind.

1) VPN - setup a vpn connection back to your LAN and continue to use Excel or any other app with data on your NAS as you were still inside your network.

2) WebDAV - configure webdav server on the NAS and allow access via that protocol from the outside to get access to all the data needed.

3) Synology Drive - setup Synology Drive server, and client on the surface device and get access to the content. Drive will also allow for sync scenario (like Dropbox for example) so that might also be one to go.

 

[fredbert]

A fourth (or third, according to @Rusty, who can't count) could be this:

Use Dropbox, OneDrive, Google Drive, etc. while on the move and have the NAS use CloudSync to maintain the public cloud content consistent with a folder of your local content.

Pros:

1. You don't have to allow inbound access to the NAS. No need to configure:
   • QuickConnect / QC Relay service,
   • Synology DDNS
   • Other DDNS service.
2. You don't have to configure your router to allow inbound access (you won't have do this if the sharing service you choose uses QC Relay service).

Cons:

1. You might not want to use public clouds for you data. This could be why you are using a NAS!
2. Unless you have a paid account, the public clouds provide small free storage, so you may have to be selective and manage what you sync this way.

Probably other Ps and Cs butthose are the ones that most readily come to mind.

I would agree with Rusty and try using Synology Drive.

 

[Rusty]

who can't count

I have to say it took me a good 20 sec or so to find my error... Cheers m8!

 

[OldDuffer]

Welcome.

Three scenarios come to mind.

1) VPN - setup a vpn connection back to your LAN and continue to use Excel or any other app with data on your NAS as you were still inside your network.

2) WebDAV - configure webdav server on the NAS and allow access via that protocol from the outside to get access to all the data needed.

3) Synology Drive - setup Synology Drive server, and client on the surface device and get access to the content. Drive will also allow for sync scenario (like Dropbox for example) so that might also be one to go.

Thanks very much for your suggestions. I have already got Synology Drive set up, but obviously have not been using it correctly, or didn't fully understand it's capabilities. After re-visiting this I can now confirm that the goal I wanted to achieve, (using Excel spreadsheets anywhere), have been achieved.

Many thanks.