Business Self-Host FTP/Owncloud Setup?

[haxxorboi]

So I'm working on putting together a server (most likely virtual appliance) to act as a central download, sync, and s/ftp point, or at least that's the goal. We're currently using an aging Lacie NAS that has some file browsing capabilities, but it's not pretty and is slower than desired. There needs to be user and group specific file browsing, download, and upload (e.g., client A has R/W to Folder A, client B has R/W to Folder B, Org Group Z has R/W to Folders A-Z, etc.). Preferably, the UI needs to be easy enough for a middle-age, not tech savvy user to figure out. Lastly, the source files (i.e., where Folder A-Z are located) need to be on the NAS, so the server needs to be able to interface through SMB or some other mechanism.

My initial thought was something along the lines of Owncloud or Pydio. I've tried both, and both are not exactly simple to administer. As the client will ultimately need to be able to add/remove/modify users and groups, simpler is better in that aspect. Something along the lines of BittorrentSync would be nice, but the client doesn't want end users to have to download an application to do the transfer (which is why simple SFTP is out, too). I'm looking into Seafile now.

TL;DR:
Need-
Remote source file connector via SMB or the like
Relatively simple GUI on both client and server-side
Upload/download without separate client application
Self-Hosted

Tried-
Owncloud (still trying to get smbclient to work correctly)
Pydio (a bit to complex to administer)
Bittorrent Sync (need client application)

Thoughts for alternatives?

Thanks in advance!

 

[spankit]

I'm not familiar with the other products that you've mentioned but I know that with OwnCloud this could be relatively easily accomplished by connecting everything to an LDAP server. You can have OwnCloud mount CIFS/SMB directories (Home Directories etc.) based on the LDAP credentials they used to login to OwnCloud. You would then just need to setup permissions on the Shares how you want them.

If you have a Windows Domain Controller already setup you're pretty much all set.

 

[haxxorboi]

I'm not familiar with the other products that you've mentioned but I know that with OwnCloud this could be relatively easily accomplished by connecting everything to an LDAP server. You can have OwnCloud mount CIFS/SMB directories (Home Directories etc.) based on the LDAP credentials they used to login to OwnCloud. You would then just need to setup permissions on the Shares how you want them.

If you have a Windows Domain Controller already setup you're pretty much all set.

It's a small organization, so no LDAP is in place currently. For the number of users, it probably would be a bit overkill. I finally got smbclient to install correctly into the vapp, but now it's being a pain to connect to the Lacie NAS via SMB, so that's yet another issue that I've got to figure out as well.

 

[Cerulean]

It's a small organization, so no LDAP is in place currently. For the number of users, it probably would be a bit overkill. I finally got smbclient to install correctly into the vapp, but now it's being a pain to connect to the Lacie NAS via SMB, so that's yet another issue that I've got to figure out as well.

Overkill? At one of the companies I work at (small business mind you) we use a full blown Windows domain nicely frosted with GPOs for automation and vanilla Windows 7 streamlined and imaged Lenovo PCs with SSDs, dual monitors, and full blown 480mbit WiFi WPA2 network for ... 1 to 2 people. (though business has room to grow for more headcount with the number of available PCs and laptops we have)

(EDIT: Also, posted to subscribe to thread. I want to see how OP solves his situation)

 

[peanuthead]

Take a look at Anchor. http://anchorworks.com/
OwnCloud should work for you too.