ICE-Drive Whitepaper "Ippany Cloud Extender-Drive"
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ICE-Drive Whitepaper “Ippany Cloud Extender-Drive”
ICE-Drive ‘The Whitepaper’
The easiest most transparent on premise BYOD solution
ICE-Drive Introduction
ICE Drive enables your organization to access data where ever and when ever on each internet
device. You and your colleagues will benefit of the ever-increasing advantage of mobile working. Files
that used to be locked up in a server in the office are now easy accessible. Users are no longer
required to be at the office to access the information they want. This will create possibilities in flexible
working from home or any other out-of-office location. Also ICE Drive allows employees and
management to use the device they want to, a laptop, smartphone or tablet. ICE Drive is very Bring
Your Own Device (BYOD) friendly.
The Challenge:
The unrelenting growth of unstructured data,connection to new devices like the iPad, are creating
storage and management issues for organizations of all sizes.The inflexibility of the traditional
approach file service has created two possible outcomes. Either a very complex workaround is
provided for mobile working, in the form of centralized workflow management systems, or users will
tend to solve the problem on their own, simply by working around internal IT with ‘unsupported’ and
generally insecure ‘free’ solutions on the internet or other insecure type of solutions like USB sticks,
DVD’s, external HD’s etc.
In the case of users taking the simple option to store data on internet based ‘free’ storage solutions,
complete oversight and compliance is lost for the organization, as well as the fact that ‘data leakage’ is
a potentially massive risk for corporate and government data to end up in the wrong hands
One option is to ignore the problem of data leakage, and continue to allow users to use external and
unsupported data storage solutions to share and store data. The other path is to provide them with
tools that allow them to make their data portable, accessible and available on their various devices.
Users will continue to use the solutions that allow them to work easily, remotely and on the devices of
their choice.
The Solution:
ICE-Drive, the answer to the BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) issue. ICE-Drive is designed specifically
to bring the ease of use of today’s consumer based file storage and sharing solutions to the
professional corporate and government industries. By providing a simplistic, easy to use solution,
while addressing the organizations security and hosting concerns, a perfect balance can be found to
satisfy both internal users as well as security focused IT organizations.
Data Access:
The key to a useable data access strategy for users is flexibility and ease of use. The ICE-drive has
been specially designed for an optimal user friendly experience. Users can work on any device as they
are used to. Accessing ; opening or saving files are just the same as always no learning curve or
whatsoever. The big plus however is that the data is always safe within the private or hybrid cloud
environment Behind your own walls. The data can be accessed through:
- Every common web browser; no plug ins needed
- A client ; directly within your windows explorer as a drive letter “ I-drive”. Or your Mac OSX
environment as an extra drive !
- An App on your mobile device Iphone / Ipad / Android device
ICE Drive The Whitepaper
Web Browser:
As the first option, ICE-Drive provides simplistic access to data via a secure web-browser interface,
essentially converting a web-browser into a ‘local folder’. Folders and files are transparently presented,
users can ‘drag & drop’ files into this browser, which is directly connected to their ‘cloud’ store. The
web-browser is accessible from any network location from any type of OS, like MAC, Windows or
Linux flavors. Any data that’s imported into the browser interface will immediately synchronize the files
to any other mobile devices the user is leveraging. Network connectivity is required to access data via
the web-browser.
Hereunder the supported web browsers with the respected supported features usable in the web
browser environment.
IE Safari Firefox Chrome
HTTPS / SSL
No plug-ins required
Multi file upload
Drag –n- Drop files from desktop to the web
client
Send files by email
Collaborate with other users
Restore versions of files directly
Drag -n- Drop operations internally
Copy and paste operations internally
Show upload progress
Renaming files and / or folders
Deleting files and / or folders
Get standard properties from files and folders
ICE Drive The Whitepaper
The ICE-Drive Local Client
ICE-Drive also delivers a local executable client which synchronizes data locally, and provides for
100% data access, independent of the network connection, this is called, ‘offline working’, for example
on the plane, or from any location where internet connectivity is lacking or non-existent. The ICE-Drive
local client will automatically synchronize any data changes or additions when the network appears.
The local client supports Windows and MAC OS’s.
Windows explorer enviroment
When the ICE-Drive Client is installed on any Windows or MAC OS Computer. Simply copy any
desired folders and/or files into the ICE-Drive client drive or folder. This data will automatically start
‘syncing’. When complete, all data will exist on the users local PC, and in the cloud. Every file that is
created or modified will be immediately updated to the cloud, for a fully protected copy, and accessible
from any browser or mobile device. This client can be installed on multiple computers under the same
user account.
Mac OSX Finder environment
ICE Drive The Whitepaper
Offline Folder Sync:
Once data is moved into the ICE-Drive disk, synchronization will start automatically. Once data sync is
complete, various folders can be ‘unchecked’ to remove data from the local computer, while the data is
still stored in the cloud, and is accessible via any web-browser and mobile clients. If the user wished to
‘resync’ data back to the local computer, simply click on the ‘check box’ of the desired folder, and data
will automatically resync. The user has total control over their own data and decides what to keep
locally and remotely
Mobile Devices:
Mobile devices like iPhone, iPAD and Android are common in the business world, and ICE-Drive
allows full browsing of synchronized data, including sharing and sending folders and files from the
mobile devices. For sending files, a command is sent from the mobile device to the ‘cloud’ to make
sure the data is not sent via the subscription plan of the mobile device, thus avoiding higher costs.
You can find the Ice-drive apps:
App store ( I-tunes ( iOS) ):
http://itunes.apple.com/nl/app/ice-drive/id522347880?mt=8
Google Play : ( Android )
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.ippany&feature=search_result#?t=W251bGwsMSw
yLDEsImNvbS5pcHBhbnkiXQ..
ICE Drive The Whitepaper
Hereunder a specific features spreadsheet on the clients which are able to connect to the Ippany Ice
Drive Solution.
ICE-DRIVE CLIENT / FEATURE SPREADSHEET
Feature / Clients Windows Client OSX Client IOS Client Android Client Universal access
Drag and drop to client YES YES NO NO NA
Upload multiple files at once YES YES NO NO DEPENDS
Send files and folders through
YES YES YES YES NO
email
Share folder to other users YES YES YES YES NO
Manage version of files YES YES YES YES NO
Copy and paste operations YES YES NO NO YES
Deleting content YES YES YES YES YES
Search for users on sharing
NO NO NO NO NO
folders
Access phonebook for sending
NO NO YES YES NO
content
Offline files and folder YES YES YES YES DEPENDS
Editing files YES YES NO NO DEPENDS
Access multiple domains from
NO NO YES YES NO
client
Automatic sync to / from cloud YES YES NO NO DEPENDS
Mount as volume / disk YES YES NO NO DEPENDS
Setup YES YES APPSTORE APPMARKET NO
Need reboot after installation YES NO NO NO NO
Play music and videos directly YES YES YES YES DEPENDS
Thumbnail support YES YES NO NO YES
Check for newer file on opening YES YES YES YES DEPENDS
Secure access with pincode NO NO YES YES NO
Encryption of local stored content NO NO YES NO NO
Encryption of settings YES YES YES YES DEPENDS
ICE Drive The Whitepaper
Extended Features on all Platforms:
The uniqueness of the ICE-drive concept are the extended features that are offered on all platforms in
a simplest and easy to use manner. Collaborating with collegues; sending files or folders to external
workers and finally being able to review earlier file versions.
Easy Collaboration:
Once data is placed in ICE-Drive on
the local laptop, any folder or files
can be selected to share in real-time
with trusted team members. Any
data that is created or modified is
sent to the central server, and then
pushed out to the team members
automatically, with no effort or
actions from the user perspective.
Since the data is local, there is no
VPN or network dependency on
accessing data anytime. Users can
share data easily whether working on
MAC OSx, Windows OS’s, iPhone,
iPADs or Android devices. ICE-Drive
bridges this gap by independently
managing files between various OS’s and mobile devices, IOS or Android based. Collaboration is
based on a ‘trusted user’ base, typically defined as users within specific customer Active Directories.
Easy Sending Folder and Large Files:
ICE-Drive not only solves a problem on how to
collaborate with files internally with trusted AD
users, but also has the native ability to send
folder structures and large files to external
partners or customers. Any folder structure
(including subdirectories) and any files, large
or small can be transferred by email address
to external parties. The receiver will then open
an email and click on a link from a ICE-Drive
user, this link will open a browser on their
desktop where they can either view the file(s)
or download them directly to their local
desktop. As there are no practical file size
limits, this is a perfect solution for data
transfer and avoids tedious and overly
technical options like FTP.
ICE Drive The Whitepaper
Easy File Versioning:
File versioning is supported by the ICE-Drive
application. For any existing file, ICE-Drive offers
simple restore of any number of versions of the
particular file. This is not a time based functionality,
so for example, 5 versions of a file created in the
last 5 minutes will be available for restore by the
end user.
Server Management
Installing the ICE–Drive server software is done in a matter of minutes. The complete IIS webserver
will be prepared and installed ready for first use. For security reasons an SSL certificate needs to be
installed together with an external Ip address or URL. (f.i.: https://drive.domain.com ).
The server is completely stateless. The application does not use any database which makes the the
ICE drive application very friendly to manage and, since the application is stateless, extremely
scalability as well.
The ICE-drive server application can host different “Ice-drive domains” . Also within each domain a
group can be added, which can be limited by quota. ( hard soft or none quota ! ). All users can be part
of an AD domain.
Authentication: (AD integration)
ICE drive has been designed for optimal implementation within existing infrastructures. Authentication,
mostly AD is used for more applications for “Single Sign On” purposes and of course access
management regulations. ICE drive can be used as a standalone application using “Basic
Authentication” ( username & password ) or it can be connected to a AD environment where people
can easily collaborate within the same authentication environment.
ICE Drive The WhitepaperHigh level Enterprise Infrastructure overview:
Underneath a common high level infrastructure overview. The server software is designed to be used
in heavy load environments since the application is stateless and load balance aware.
Security can be added throughout the complete design. The application can easily be implemented
within the existing storage and server infrastructures including the authentication mechanisms used
today like active directory.
Connecting to storage networks like a NAS or SAN can be done using a cifs share. Backups,
snapshots, replication or synchronization must be done by the system administrator.
The ICE drive application also connects to object based storage platforms ( like the Dell DX ), using
the Ippany Cas Connector , which is a reliable match between the familiar windows-based operating
systems and the innovative backup free future of the object-based storage solution. It is, affordable,
scalable, fast and easy to manage.
ICE-Drive – Secure Access,
Security is a primary concern in terms of internal IT requirements. There are various aspects which
need to be addressed, and Ippany takes a layered approach to security implementations. This layered
approach means the ICE-Drive application can be deployed at the most cost effective price point in
relation to the required security level.
In terms of differentiators compared to consumer based alternatives, it’s worth pointing out why ICE-
Drive can be accepted as part of corporate/government organizational strategy, where often others
can’t. Monitor user access and stay in control of your companies data.
ICE Drive The WhitepaperSummary ICE-Drive features and benefits :
• On premise ; smooth integration with existing infrastructure; data control !
• No database minimal application management.
• Access anywhere anytime to anyone via any (mobile) internet device
• BYOD Bring Your Own Device friendly ; Open and transparant
• Easy to use, no learning curve (just 'drop' the files in ICE Drive and share!)
• Looks familiar (it is just another drive icon on the screen of your co-workers)
• Secure – on all devices via secure SSL connections (https)
• Versioning on all devices
• Sharing docs with other co-workers is very easy
rd
• Send files to a 3 party is a very simple process
• White label opportunities
About Ippany:
Ippany B.V. is a Dutch software development company driven by innovation, quality and specializes in
application development for the cloud storage market. Over the past years Ippany has grown from a
small business supplier into an “enabling” international strategic partner for the cloud storage service
providers market . Ippany’s mission is to simplify data management from the disk drive all the way to
the mobile device in a secure manner. The ability to provide organizations with a complete file-,
backup and archive solution in one single installation combined with secure universal access. In short:
’IP - anytime, anywhere, any place on any internet device’
Want to know more about our ICE-Drive?
Contact us at: Info@ippany .com or call us on +31 40 8200241.
ICE Drive The WhitepaperYou can also read
