Buffalo NAS Software Introduction

File Sharing

File sharing is the main function of a NAS and as such, it is also the first point in the menu. All features relating to file folders, user, groups, and sharing protocols are found in this section.

Shared Folder

All the shared folders are listed below each other and the list shows the capacity usage as well as assigned quota and snapshots made. You can quickly create new folders, delete the selected, or edit existing.

Shared folder settings look like this. You can copy settings from an existing folder or set new rules. This includes which protocols can access the share as well as its name and location. Everything in one place.

User and User Groups

The user list looks much like the share list, except it has the created users instead of shares. Logically. There are two default users and you can create a lot more for all your needs, users, employees, or who else might need access.

You need to set a username and password, but anything else is optional. You can set the user ID manually too which helps group similar users close to each other. You can also assign a description, enter the user’s email address, and assign which groups he belongs to.

User groups are much of the same, except you set rights for a whole group instead of for an individual.

File Protocols

Not all file protocols have their own settings, some can only be turned on and off. After all, there’s no point in having anything enabled which you don’t use anyway. A waste of ressources and a possible attack vector for evil minded people.

SMB, or Samba, is the most common used file protocol. This is what Windows uses and MacOS as well as Linux are also able to access it. So are many other devices such as media players.

Web Access is what you’re using to access the user interface and this can be condifured too. It also includes remote access through Buffalo’s own DDNS service.

We also have NFS which is the Linux/Unix file network protocol. This is a bit more advanced looking for Windows users, but everyday settings for a *nix user.

Rsync is a powerful backup and syncronisation feature which keeps things simple. Naturally, this is also supported by Buffalo NAS’.