Question regarding accessing NAS outside of network? reddit / selfhosted ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Fun-Palpitation81 · 2023-12-12 17:11 Hello everyone, I'll preface this with that I am new to this stuff, and super excited to learn all about it. I currently have TrueNAS instance setup on my home network. In addition to a "Backup Image" of my PC, I use SyncThing to sync all file changes on my PC drives to the NAS. This is nice, as I can then access any of my files within my local network, as they are stored on my local drives. Now according to the 3-2-1 rule, I currently do not have an offsite backup, which makes me very nervous at the moment (I used to have cloud through school). Thus, I would like to set up a second TrueNAS at my parents house. I believe I will set this up as a true "Backup" of my main NAS at my house. To achieve this, I've read that TailScale is a quick an easy way to connect the two NAS's. I've read TailScale is also easy to add other devices, so technically, I could just use TailScale to access my NAS from whatever device I want to use outside of my local network. **Is there any drawback to this approach, versus using something like NextCloud?** NextCloud looks a lot more involved than simply having access to my data, I don't need most of what it is offering. Any input or comments is appreciated ---------------------------------------------------------------------- thekrautboy · 2023-12-12 17:47 Why are you comparing Tailscale to Nextcloud? They are completely different things. > To achieve this, I've read that TailScale is a quick an easy way to connect the two NAS's. I've read TailScale is also easy to add other devices, so technically, I could just use TailScale to access my NAS from whatever device I want to use outside of my local network. That is correct. And if you want to fully selfhost your Tailscale network you can use Headscale as controlserver. For questions about Tailscale try /r/Tailscale ---------------------------------------------------------------------- tech2but1 · 2023-12-12 17:57 Yes, Nextcloud is generally a sledgehammer to crack a walnut approach, despite everyone here suggesting it for a solution to everything regardless. If you can avoid using it then you won't be spending days fixing it after an update. But, you seem to be comparing Nextcloud with Tailscale so I'm a bit confused about what you think Tailscale and/or Nextcloud is. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Fun-Palpitation81 · 2023-12-12 18:13 I guess I mean, instead of using NextCloud, can I simply use TailScale to access my NAS remotely, which has my files stored as they are on my computer (access them natively I guess). I don't mean to replace TailScale with NextCloud ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Fun-Palpitation81 · 2023-12-12 18:13 Just copying and pasting response as it was similar question: I guess I mean, instead of using NextCloud, can I simply use TailScale to access my NAS remotely, which has my files stored as they are on my computer (access them natively I guess). I don't mean to replace TailScale with NextCloud ---------------------------------------------------------------------- tech2but1 · 2023-12-12 18:16 > I guess I mean, instead of using NextCloud, can I simply use TailScale to access my NAS remotely Yes. It's exactly what I do to access my files, using native file browsing apps over a VPN. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Fun-Palpitation81 · 2023-12-12 18:17 Thank you, just wanted to confirm that this method made sense. I can't see me requiring anything more than this. So I guess I'll start with that, and if I need something more, look into something like NextCloud ---------------------------------------------------------------------- tech2but1 · 2023-12-12 18:19 I would think about what you need to do and then find a solution that fits your requirements rather than jumping into Nextcloud. For remote file access beyond just simple file shares/SMB I use Seafile for instance. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Fun-Palpitation81 · 2023-12-12 18:26 Yeah, I will start with TailScale and natively accessing, over time, I think I will understand more what I required. For example, a usecase for me would simply be accessing my home NAS files (such as a word document), if I am at my parents house ---------------------------------------------------------------------- brod33p · 2023-12-12 20:10 You might be aware of this, but one thing to keep in mind is: assuming you use ZFS replication in TrueNAS to "sync" the two NAS devices, is that the replicated copy is in a read-only state. So, if you are replicating to a NAS at your parents' place, and want to access those files locally while there, they will be read-only; you won't be able to save changes and have it replicate back to your home NAS. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Fluffer_Wuffer · 2023-12-13 13:17 Yes you can, if set up correctly it'll be like accessing it locally, such as accessing all your apps etc... But be aware SMB and NFS are not designed for use over a WAN, they are chatty protocols.. which means even basic tasks have a lot of back and forth, which obviously is impacted by latency.. and whilst they work, they will be slow.. so using something intended for remote file access is recommended. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Fun-Palpitation81 · 2023-12-13 14:58 I've noticed the speed... I'm OK with it for now, but any recommendations? ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Square_Lawfulness_33 · 2023-12-14 01:32 Just connect the two NASs over the vpn mentioned and use that connection for backups only, so a service running on one nas that keeps them synced, like rsync or possibly a service already built into the NAS’s os. Also, use nextcloud for basic file access.