[dba-Tech] ownCloud

[Jim Lawrence]

Hi All:

I finally have a copy of ownCloud running on a server. The only initial expenses is the cost of a Domain name and that can be as cheap $1.49 per year.

The great thing about ownCloud is the you can share, upload and download, using any policy, privilege or encryption arrangement you wish, with family, friends and business associates and with any number of files and file types, via any web browser. The amount of data is only limited by your resources. That of course is just the start. 

Most files type can also be read, viewed, added, deleted and even collaborated with like documents and spreadsheets...even graphic and software development  collaborations are coming on line.  This is done through a series of "plugins" and APIs which, for the most part run on the client's computers, so it is low over head on the server and on the client. There are also plugins/APIs which extend it capabilities, like torrent mail, various levels of data synchronization and backups. 

If you consider a business’s ownCloud like a node, which dozens of clients can connect to, for access to resource then clusters of nodes (ownCloud sites) can be federated together. Some existing "federations" have exceed 5000 nodes...all sharing data and resources. The product is also capable of integrating with other Cloud structures, SharePoint, Windows network drives, Dropbox and with Cloud management and tools applications like Juju. 

So far all I have been sharing is family photos but I have been testing some word documents and spreadsheets. I would also like to see is a database can be shared but that is for future efforts.

It is easy to initially setup and many instruction say that it should take no more than ten minutes. For the full-meal-deal check out the following link where even hosting and full-time support arrangements can be made. This product is basically a poor man's Share-Point and Cloud hosting system, with most and maybe more features, personal security and private ownership. 

https://owncloud.com/owncloud-overview

...and...

https://owncloud.com/products/enterprise

Jim