Revolving around the core of technology
Hi All,
I've just stumbled onto synaman: I'm in the process of writing my own web-based solution, but this might provide some shortcuts as I'm working on security ATM! ;)
Can the following be accomplished?
Adrian,
I am glad you decided to give SynaMan a try. Please refer to my answers below:
Answer 1 - Yes. Before using SynaMan, you have to create one or more virtual folders. These virtual folders are then assigned to one or more users. For example, a virtual folder named Marketing, referring to C:\ImportandDocs\Marketing can be accessed by users who work in the marketing department.
Besides giving access to virtual folders, every user also has a Home folder, that is specific to that user and is not shared by any other users on the system.
Answer 2: Yes
Answer 3: It depends. Uploads can be done several ways:
The concept of "Virtual Folders" assumes you are sharing files on a file server with someone else. Therefore, files are never deleted on their own.
Answer 4: Same as answer 3
Answer 5: No. Transfers can be encrypted via SSL but once files on your machine they are not. Again, coming back to my previous point about Virtual Folders being set up on a file server. You don't want to encrypt files on your file server because users will be accessing them without SynaMan, perhaps through SMB.
Answer 6: There is no database. Are you referring to configuration? Every configuration is stored in XML files. Passwords are encrypted. One major design goal of SynaMan is easy-setup. Therefore, there is no database or external web server. You simply run setup.exe and everything will work.
Answer 7: Yes. SynaMan can generate emails when files are uploaded/downloaded. Additionally, you can use the Triggers feature to spawn third-party apps or scripts when a file is uploaded/downloaded
Answer 8: Yes. This is done via Total Branding.
Answer 9: Adding/modifying/deleting users is done using the "admin" account, which should be considered as super user. Normal, non-admin, users can only upload/download files, create public links and share files with others.
Let us know if you have further questions or I missed any point.
Many thanks for the swift reply. I will read more deeply tomorrow.
My system uses a LAMP and so managing ACL's and changing functionality is simple to implement in SQL/PHP.
However, I have further questions regarding functionality.
User A wants to supply a file to client X (or vice versa) - does admin need to set up an account for client X? the file needs to be private (we are a legal company) so a user cannot share any file-space that is accessible by multiple clients, or can user A manage this in some way? (user A will have clients X,Y,Z etc)
Assuming Client X needs a unique account, I presume that user A, B, C etc. can be configured to have access to these accounts?
Basically, I want to enable users to be able to manage private communication between themselves and their clients on a peer to peer basis on the fly without constantly requesting that admin sets up account for any of 1000's of clients.
Answer 1: The admin only needs to create an account for UserA. There is no need to create accounts for ClientX, Y, and Z. If ClientX, Y, Z are exclusively handled by UserA, a recommended approach is that UserA creates sub-folders in his/her HOME folder for each client. Then, UserA can create public links allowing clients to upload/download files.
If ClientX, Y, and Z are shared by multiple in-house users, Virtual Folders will be better than Home Folder.
Answer 2: I am not sure what you mean by ClientX needing a unique account. You can always create a regular account for ClientX and create a Virtual Folder that will be shared by ClientX, UserA, B, and C.
Answer 3: That is the goal. In fact, you can integrate SynaMan with Active Directory, if available. This will eliminate the need for the admin to create accounts individually. Users can use their AD credentials to log in, which will automatically create an account, create HOME folder and assign Virtual Folders based on the Template User.
Thanks again. I'll try an install it I get a chance today.
Installed on a Ubunto (16.04) server yesterday via a consol - nice and easy!
It appears to have the functionality I need although restricting it to working with I.E. is a pain! Any plans to ditch Java Plug-in?
The only problem that I have ATM is issues with testing beyond our domain.
Our (local) Exchange server connects via a (cloud service) spam filter, and SynaMan picks this up.
SynaMan is installed in a remote hosted box (this has no connection to our domain)
Sending offers to upload or download to domain users works fine!
However, if I try to send outside the domain I get "Could not send email due to an internal server error"
I've googled this, and had a play, but without success (most of what I see appears to be aimed at 'in-house' solutions).
I don't want to play with my Exchange connectors if I can help it, as I want this to be a 'stand-alone' solution. - any suggestions please?
FYI, my own solution does not use email
Java Plug-in - You don't need a Java Plugin unless you plan to use the Enhanced Browser. 95% of our users do not use the Java Plugin. They use the AJAX browser instead, which is the default.
Email Problem - Don't let SynaMan configure your SMTP settings. It does not know about your local Exchange server and therefore, an MX lookup and ends up getting the host name of your Cloud Server for SMTP. Configure the SMTP server settings manually. Use your Exchange for SMTP Server and specify a user id/password for Authentication. Once authenticated, Exchange will allow relaying messages to users on the Internet.
One suggestion. Download Email Sender utility from http://xeams.com/email-sender.htm . Use that to relay message through your Exchange server and see how it behaves.
Many thanks, I'd already tried that - will play (some more) and report back
I had to create a connector in the end, and make a hole in the firewall. I am now able to send emails to both public and private domains.
I can publish (redacted) settings that I used if useful to others?
System overview
Attack surfaces are minimised...
Two sites connected via a VPN with a remote 2013 Exchange Server (+ additional MTA's for DMS etc.) this connects to a third party spam/AV solution (tightly managed by Firewall rules)
The SynaMan Box is hosted on hardware hosted in the cloud, and so is indipendent of any of our other systems.
Not strictly technical, but can I extend the demo so that I have time to give a presentation?
Please contact our support department via email (support@synametrics.com) to extend the trial period. That should not be a problem
Many thanks - actioned
Quick and dirty Exchange connector guide written if wanted.