Photos for Private Internet Users (NAS?)

klkks1 · Feb 7, 2014

The more I read about NAS, the more confused I get. After probably 20 - 30 hours of study I finally have to ask those who know much more about it than I. My internet searches have come empty with respect to my goals. Please help.

Goals:
1) Store 1T of photos
2) Share with forty+ relatives throughout the U.S.
3) Set separate access/read/write folder permissions for each person
4) Allow co-admin access for certain folders by special users
5) Allow search/sort by offsite viewers
6) Search/sort by filename criteria such as subject, date, location
7) Intuitive search/sort for casual computer users (i.e. MS Explorer)
8) RAID 1 or 5
9) Allow others to download or copy of files
10) Prefer compatibility with Idrive online backup
11) Prefer individual password for each user
12) Upgradeable to 2T if needed in future
13) System that others don't need special software to access.

I want to store all my extended family historic photos, which could eventually be up to 1T, with relatives throughout the U.S. They will have to connect over the internet, of course. I will be the admin for the system. I want my children, brothers, cousins, and in-laws to be able to read certain folders and files, but not all folders. They also need to be able to search or sort by filename feature per the naming protocol I have set such as date, subject name, and location similar to search feature in MS Explorer. For instance, family side A should only be able to search for and read (and download) pics for their side of the family. Members of family side B should only be able to search for and read pics from the B family.

There are also certain "family historians" that I would like to give write privilege for all folders so they can upload their own photos to my system whether it be NAS, website, external HDD, or other.

So far I have unsuccessfully tried to (1. set up a Wordpress website to share photos. I think that would mean purchasing a large amount of their online storage when I prefer to have the pics on my own home hardware or (2. Install an FTP or http external HDD to my router (I can get files onto it but can't set permissions the way I want per individual). I am now considering NAS but not sure if it will do what I want either. My price range is about $400 (or less, of course).

● I have a Windows home network set up with an ethernet wired PC (win7x64), i7 3.4Ghz, 500Gb HD, 16Gb Ram
● wifi laptop (win7) i5 2.5Ghz, 500Gb HD
● two Android smartphones,
● Netgear Router N600 Dual Band WND3400rev1, 802.11, ftp and http compatible
with 500Gb external HD available either as FTP or PC
● Download 30.9Mbps, Upload = 3.87Mbls (This could be a fluke today because I'm only paying for half that)
● Network Card at least 10/100 menu also suggests 1000 - set for self adjusting

My scanned photos are about 4Mb each but I have 3000+ RAW files of 20Mb that need to transfer also. I currently back up all my personal data, including photos, to Idrive of which I currently use about 250Gb of storage. Idrive works for offsite backup, but I don't want other users to have access because it is my master backup. If I go NAS, I would like to be able to back up the NAS directly to Idrive.

Please suggest the best system I should use to accomplish my goals regardless of cost.
Please suggest the best system I should use to accomplish my goals for approximately $400.

In advance, thank you for your help.

USAFRet · Feb 7, 2014

A specific NAS is not necessarily needed.

You have 3 considerations:
1. Hardware - This could be done with any PC with enough hard drive space.
2. Software - To allow easy intuitive access to Grandma. There are many solutions here.
3. Access - This is tricky. Hosting it at home, you will be opening up ports on your network to the outside world. A misstep here could make all the pics (and the rest of your network) available to the planet.

#1. The load on such a 'server' is light. You're not looking at thousands of hits per minute. Any box will work.

#2. Basically, you're creating a web server. Possibly a Linux solution for this. Some possible solutions here or here

#3. Suggest you have a router or other firewall with some sort of DMZ function. This allows the server to be 'outside' your internal network, and accessible to the outside.

Further: 4MB pics may be a strain on some of your relatives. Not all will have a large pipe.

getochkn · Feb 7, 2014

Some of the NAS boxes look good but not sure if they would give you all the access you want. Dlink's sharecenter devices seem to do a lot of the things you want but I don't know in detail how well they would work with the multi-users and access control you want. Probably better off with a small PC than a NAS unlike something like the dlink sharecenter and their photo center addon do all multiple uisers and access.

You do probably want a webserver software, even something like joomla with a good gallery feature. this would let you create multiple access, restrict access, etc. you could even make groups like family a, and family b, and then restrict top level access that way. The problem with this is knowing how to configure a webserver like apache, mysql, then php, cgi, and all the things it needs. pointing a domain name from the outside world is trivial and not a big deal, but what is, is security. All those programs listed above, as well as the linux itself have constant updates that fix big holes. If you don't patch them, you leave yourself open to getting your box hacked. I would almost look at going with someplace like hostgator with their unlimited disk space and host none of it yourself. they handle updates, security, etc.

if no one is going to use the raw files, don't worry about uploading them. that will cut down on your space and just back them up locally. no need to upload them really.

klkks1 · Feb 7, 2014

USAFRet :

getochkn :

klkks1 · Feb 7, 2014

getochkn :

Some of the NAS boxes look good but not sure if they would give you all the access you want. Dlink's sharecenter devices seem to do a lot of the things you want but I don't know in detail how well they would work with the multi-users and access control you want. Probably better off with a small PC than a NAS unlike something like the dlink sharecenter and their photo center addon do all multiple uisers and access.

You do probably want a webserver software, even something like joomla with a good gallery feature. this would let you create multiple access, restrict access, etc. you could even make groups like family a, and family b, and then restrict top level access that way. The problem with this is knowing how to configure a webserver like apache, mysql, then php, cgi, and all the things it needs. pointing a domain name from the outside world is trivial and not a big deal, but what is, is security. All those programs listed above, as well as the linux itself have constant updates that fix big holes. If you don't patch them, you leave yourself open to getting your box hacked. I would almost look at going with someplace like hostgator with their unlimited disk space and host none of it yourself. they handle updates, security, etc.

if no one is going to use the raw files, don't worry about uploading them. that will cut down on your space and just back them up locally. no need to upload them really.

klkks1 · Feb 7, 2014

"if no one is going to use the raw files, don't worry about uploading them. that will cut down on your space and just back them up locally. no need to upload them really."

Sorry for the wasted post I just made. Obviously, I haven't figured out how to reply on this forum yet. Anyway, for the quote above i was hoping to also use the NAS as a networked file storage for wifi work on my large photos also via photoshop on my laptop. Seems everytime I change a doc or photo on my laptop, then I need to update it on the PC and vice versa. I don't keep my PC turned on all the time so accessing via home network is spotty. An external HD or NAS connected via the router would allow access to all files without having to have all computers powered up all the time.

If it can't be done, well, OK. The primary goal is to provide family photo access to far flung relatives.

klkks1 · Feb 7, 2014

USAFRet :

A specific NAS is not necessarily needed.

You have 3 considerations:
1. Hardware - This could be done with any PC with enough hard drive space.
2. Software - To allow easy intuitive access to Grandma. There are many solutions here.
3. Access - This is tricky. Hosting it at home, you will be opening up ports on your network to the outside world. A misstep here could make all the pics (and the rest of your network) available to the planet.

#1. The load on such a 'server' is light. You're not looking at thousands of hits per minute. Any box will work.

#2. Basically, you're creating a web server. Possibly a Linux solution for this. Some possible solutions here or here

#3. Suggest you have a router or other firewall with some sort of DMZ function. This allows the server to be 'outside' your internal network, and accessible to the outside.

Further: 4MB pics may be a strain on some of your relatives. Not all will have a large pipe.

klkks1 · Feb 7, 2014

USAFret - "3. Access - This is tricky. Hosting it at home, you will be opening up ports on your network to the outside world. A misstep here could make all the pics (and the rest of your network) available to the planet."

This is definitely a concern and the main reason I tried to do it with ftp via a router connection. I liked that solution but could not find a workable solution to the folder permissions.

As to Linux, I no nothing about it and really don't want to put in the effort to learn it. Maybe it is easier than I think, but I have a hard enough time just understanding win7.

Also, to all experts on that read my question, help me also to understand the post replies so I get the quotes correct, and the replies in the correct place. The mechanics of this forum seems a bit different that others I participate in.

USAFRet · Feb 7, 2014

klkks1 :

USAFret - "3. Access - This is tricky. Hosting it at home, you will be opening up ports on your network to the outside world. A misstep here could make all the pics (and the rest of your network) available to the planet."

This is definitely a concern and the main reason I tried to do it with ftp via a router connection. I liked that solution but could not find a workable solution to the folder permissions.

As to Linux, I no nothing about it and really don't want to put in the effort to learn it. Maybe it is easier than I think, but I have a hard enough time just understanding win7.

Also, to all experts on that read my question, help me also to understand the post replies so I get the quotes correct, and the replies in the correct place. The mechanics of this forum seems a bit different that others I participate in.

Click the "Reply to ..." link. It quotes the text...scroll down and put your comment under it.

USAFRet · Feb 7, 2014

klkks1 :

With any solution, there will be a learning curve. A semi-prebuilt Linux, or some Windows solution, or whatever...you're building a webserver. With all the security issues that entails.

As getochkn commented, possibly look to an inexpensive web hosting provider, like hostgator.
I kind of do this stuff for a living, and if I wanted to host for dozens of people worldwide, that is probably the way I'd go. Different sub URLs for different families/groups. $5 or $10 brings a lot of peace of mind. Let them handle the main security.

klkks1 · Feb 7, 2014

USAFRet :

klkks1 :

With any solution, there will be a learning curve. A semi-prebuilt Linux, or some Windows solution, or whatever...you're building a webserver. With all the security issues that entails.

As getochkn commented, possibly look to an inexpensive web hosting provider, like hostgator.
I kind of do this stuff for a living, and if I wanted to host for dozens of people worldwide, that is probably the way I'd go. Different sub URLs for different families/groups. $5 or $10 brings a lot of peace of mind. Let them handle the main security.

klkks1 · Feb 7, 2014

I have looked at Hostgator and I chose a free webbuilder to try to figure things out before I started paying for something I don't understand. I didn't get very far. That was for my WordPress effort. It looks like maybe I will still have to work on that some more.

Even so, would it be best to use NAS or ftp hdd on the router to maintain secure integrity of my PC and home network. I believe I could use NAS via the USB or eSATA port, maybe even from one of the extra ethernet ports. But, I think the ethernet ports would allow access to my PC, correct? I really don't want any access to my home system, not even from relatives. ha!

I will continue to leave this thread open just to see what other comments or responses might come in. Thanks

getochkn · Feb 7, 2014

Well, and please don't take offence to this ,but if you can't figure out wordpress, you are going to struggle trying to setup any sort of linux box or custom solution. Either get a NAS that does what you want, look into the dlink sharecenter, or pay someone to setup a custom website for you. I could see Joomla working nicely for it. you also have to consider bandwidth of your connection if you try to run it at home.

klkks1 · Feb 7, 2014

getochkn :

klkks1 · Feb 7, 2014

I used WP about a year ago, and quite successfully, but I was adding to one that someone else built and it was the simple 2013 calender template. I have been trying to find a template that will work for what I want. Then, I couldn't figure out the search/sort buttons, got frustrated and quit because I decided WP wasn't going to do what I wanted and because of the limited space for uploads compared to what I wanted to upload.

Anyway, I set up my free web host for WP through biz.nf. They also offered Joomla but since I have never heard of it, I chose to try work with WP. Now maybe I should go back and download Joomla and give it a try. Biz.nf is free but only for 5Mb. I thought that would be good to use as a learning tool, then go to a paid site for the greater memory.

I know I could pay someone to do all this for me but I am pretty cheap. Paying for help is a last straw for me because it is something I should be able to figure out, especially with all the information on the internet.

I'll keep whacking at it, researching, watching the forums for help, and hopefully make it a go.

Thanks for the help and answers.

klkks1 · Feb 7, 2014

getochkn :

klkks1 · Feb 7, 2014

Oh yeak, I forgot to add: From I read in research I should go, as you suggested, with either NAS or webhost. My problem with NAS is that I can find all sorts of tech specs on them, but very little on UI and what they really allow one to do. Like any computer hardware and software, there is usually so much more they can do than advertised. I'm looking for the subtleties but haven't benn able to discern one NAS over the other as far as sharing abilities. Again, I have to keep my eyes and ears open and keep doing the research.

I think maybe there is no easy answer.

USAFRet · Feb 7, 2014

klkks1 :

This is true. Remember...you are setting up a webserver. Be it local or hosted by someone else.

Recycled · Feb 8, 2014

1. Rigging access to it so others can see if from outside Your subnet will be a PITA. I recommend using a hosting solution in the cloud. Back it up to a USB hard disk.

2. Where did You get the idea that browsing 1TB of photos required a RAID? This is not 1990.

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