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Technical Blog Post
Abstract
Building an enterprise class on-premise file sync and share solution using IBM Spectrum Scale for object storage and ownCloud
Body
Real-time collaboration and information sharing are key drivers of an enterprise’s productivity and innovation. Finding solutions to enable such dynamic sharing in an enterprise setting while maintaining control, however, can be a challenge. Some organizations look to consumer-grade, cloud-based file sharing options that offer the scalability, ease of use and access users want but store sensitive company data on external servers. This exposes organizations to risks of data leaks while limiting IT visibility. Other options include using existing enterprise collaboration and content management systems that might be challenging to maintain and cumbersome for users.
What exactly is the solution?
The combined IBM® Spectrum Scale for object storage and ownCloud software technologies helps enterprises to build highly scalable, secure, and flexible on-premise file sync and share solution. The ownCloud provides universal file access through a common file access layer to the IBM Spectrum Scale for object storage. The data files are kept in on-premise Spectrum Scale for object storage. ownCloud allows enterprises IT organizations to regain control of sensitive data with managed file sync and share which gives users universal file access to all of their data:
- Manage and protect data on-premise – Using IBM Spectrum Scale for object storage, with the complete software stack running on servers inside the data center, controlled by trusted administrators, managed to established policies.
- Integrate with existing IT system resources and policies – such as authentication systems, user directories, governance workflows, intrusion detection, monitoring, logging and storage management.
- Provide access through a comprehensive set of application programming interfaces ( API) and mobile libraries to customize system capabilities, meet unique service requirements, and accommodate changing user needs.
Why enterprises wants on-premise files sync and share solution?
Storing data off-premise may strip an organization’s ability to manage and control its data, or to ensure that data can be deleted. Few enterprises, however, are willing to forgo the benefits that cloud services provide in the advancement of agility and improved business processes. That leaves them struggling with how to use these technologies without importing security risks. They also recognize that users are increasingly able to migrate to external services that provide them greater flexibility and mobility than that offered by the enterprise.
By retaining on-premises manageability of file sync and share services, though, IT can use a private cloud solution to reconcile the need for cloud technology with the requirements for security, privacy, and regain control of sensitive data without unwanted exposure. With the ability to enhance control and govern access to files, IT administrators can set sophisticated rules for user and device connections and prevent access based upon those rules. Further, the capabilities and extensibility of on-premise file sync and share match the ease of use and complete access that first drove consumption of cloud services, yet IT controls sensitive assets in its own cloud environment.
Solution Lab testing
This solution consists of multiple servers installed with ownCloud server software. The ownCloud is a PHP web application running on top of Apache on Linux. This PHP application manages every aspect of ownCloud, from user-management to plug-ins, file sharing and storage. Attached to the PHP application is a database where ownCloud stores user information, user-shared file details, plug-in application states, and the ownCloud file cache (a performance accelerator). ownCloud accesses the database through an abstraction layer, enabling support for Oracle, MySQL, SQL Server, and PostgreSQL. Complete webserver logging is provided through webserver logs, and user and system logs are provided in a separate ownCloud log, or can be directed to a syslog file.
In the lab testing environment, an Active Directory (AD) is integrated with the ownCloud for user account provisioning. IBM Spectrum Scale for object storage is configured with local authentication. It is possible to configure IBM Spectrum Scale for object storage with enterprise directory server such as AD or Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP).
OpenStack Swift is installed on the protocol node(s) of the IBM Spectrum Scale for object storage.
Conclusion
IBM Spectrum Scale is a proven, enterprise-class file system, and OpenStack Swift is a best-of-breed object-based storage system. IBM Spectrum Scale for object storage combines these technologies to provide a new type of cloud storage that includes efficient data protection and recovery, proven scalability, and performance; snapshot and backup and recovery support; and information lifecycle management. Through these features, IBM Spectrum Scale for object storage can help simplify data management and allow enterprises to realize the full value of their data.
ownCloud is a self-hosted file sync and share server. It provides access to on-premises data through a web interface, sync clients while providing a platform to view, sync and share across devices easily, while gives the enterprises the ability to manage and control their data. ownCloud’s open architecture is extensible through a simple but powerful APIs for applications and plug-ins and works with seamlessly with IBM Spectrum Scale for object storage.
The combined IBM Spectrum Scale for object storage and ownCloud server technologies helps enterprises to build highly scalable, secure, and flexible on-premise file sync and share solution.
Additional Resource
To learn more about the solution, please see the solution technical paper: https://www-304.ibm.com/partnerworld/wps/servlet/ContentHandler/stg_ast_sto_wp_on-premise-file-syn-share-owncloud
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UID
ibm16165003