Cross-Platform File Sharing: Complete Guide of NFS, Samba & AFP Protocols in QNAP NAS

If you want to make your business successful, make sure you maintain effective knowledge management and smooth information sharing within your company. It increases overall efficiency and productivity.

To achieve this goal, you must have a reliable solution to provide you with seamless cross-platform file sharing. This guide presents the top four protocols, like QNAP NFS and three others, you can use to perform high-performance file sharing across multiple platforms.

Part 1. What File Sharing Protocols Can I Use to Access QNAP NAS?

When it comes to using efficient cross-platform file-sharing solutions, the top protocols you can use to get over the line are listed below.

This article specifically focuses on the first three protocols. Let’s delve deeper into the details.

1. Samba

It is an open-source deployment system for SMB protocol. Samba offers SMB support for Unix, Linux, and other similar operating systems. You can use Samba to benefit from the SMB protocol to assist Linux computers in hosting and sharing files over a local network.

In case you don’t know, SMB is a trusted file-sharing protocol, which is also called the Common Internet File System (CIFS). In practice, CIFS is very different and is an implementation of the SMB protocol.

2. Apple Filing Protocol (AFP)

It is a file-sharing protocol for Mac-based platforms specifically designed to help you access files from outside systems. As far as AFP’s location is concerned, it is found in the AppleTalk protocol stack’s presentation and application layers. With strict security functionalities, the AFP protocol has the ability to restrict you from accessing certain files.

If you intend to share large files with your Mac device across different platforms, selecting the AFS protocol will surely be a wise decision. It not only helps you transfer your data safely but also performs an efficient and robust file transfer.

3. Network File System (NFS)

The major reason behind the popularity of this file-sharing protocol is that it enables you to access the file in the same manner as you do from local storage. Since it is an open-source protocol, every user can easily implement it at any time.

NFS allows multiple clients on the network to access the same data remotely. Since everyone has access to the same content, it is a great way to keep all files updated. This protocol performs efficient data centralization and reduces the system admin overhead.

Below is the representation of Linux client communication with the Linux server using the NFS protocol.

Samba vs. AFP vs. NFS: A Quick Comparison

Let’s quickly go through the basics of all three protocols to establish a stance on which one of them is better and why.

Our Verdict

If you go through the above discussion, you will clearly see that the performance of all three protocols is different under different circumstances. So, it all depends on whether you have Windows, macOS, or Linux-based computers. But yes, if you are a regular user of Mac devices and are looking for a trustworthy cross-platform file-sharing protocol, there is nothing better than choosing Apple Filing Protocol (AFP).

Part 2. How to Configure NFS Service Settings in QNAP NAS?

This section of today’s discussion presents a step-by-step guide on how you can configure NFS service settings on your QNAP NAS. Let’s look at the steps required.

Step 1: Open “Control Panel” and click on “Network & File Services.”

Step 2: Select “Win/Mac/NFS/WebDAV” and then tap on “NFS Service.”

Step 3: Now, you can enable NFS service. For this, follow the below points.

Remember, they both are optional.

Step 4: Now, select “Enable manage-gids.”

Step 5: It is time to hit the “Apply” button.

Part 3. How to Configure Samba Settings in QNAP NAS?

A quick step-by-step guide on how you can configure Samba settings in your QNAP NAS is presented below. Let’s take a look at the steps you need to follow.

Step 1: Open “Control Panel” and click on “Network & File Services.”

Step 2: Now, choose “Win/Mac/NFS/WebDAV” and tap on “Microsoft Networking.”

Step 3: It is time to select “Enable file service for Microsoft networking.”

Step 4: Perform Microsoft’s setting configuration by specifying the server description and workgroup. Providing the server description is optional. It is perfectly fine if you don’t write it down.

Step 5: Now, choose an authentication method from the list presented below.

Step 6: It is time for the advanced settings configuration. For this, tap on “Advanced Options” and start conjuring accordingly. You will find a couple of options, like “Enable WINS server, Use the specified WINS server, local master browser, etc.” Once you select the suitable option, click on “Apply.” Doing this will close the Advanced Options window.

Step 7: Now, hit the “Apply” button, and you are done.

Part 4. How to Access FTP Settings in QNAP NAS?

Do you want to access FTP settings in your QNAP NAS? Don’t know how to proceed and what steps to follow? There is nothing to be concerned about. All you need is to follow the three easy steps given below.

Step 1: Open the “Control Panel” on your system.

Step 2: Click on “Network & File Services.”

Step 3: Now, tap on “QuFTP Service.” It will help you open this service application.

Important Note: If you don’t have QuFTP service, don’t forget to install it from the App Center. If you want to get into the detailed specifics, visiting the official website of QNAP will be a better approach for sure.

Part 5. How to Recover Lost Data Due to a Security Vulnerability?

Are you worried about experiencing a situation when your data is at risk? Or lost it already? Concerned about whether or not you can recover your data from NAS accurately? Well, hundreds of easily accessible recovery tools have jumped into the market in the last few years. But trusting a random software could not be a risk-free activity. Without much ado, download and install Wondershare Recoverit on your system and give it a try.

Why Recoverit?

You must be thinking about why you should trust Recoverit when recovering your important data files from NAS. Right?

Well, it is a superb tool that helps you get your lost and deleted data back with its powerful data recovery approach. It is not only limited to NAS recovery but also supports more than 2000 storage devices. Moreover, this software has 35+ patents and supports 500+ data recovery scenarios and 1000+ file formats.

The most appealing factor associated with Recoverit is its highest data recovery rate - 95% - in today’s market. This is why more than 50 million people are happy with its performance and repeatedly use this tool. Don’t worry about investing in this software, as your purchases are backed by a 7-day satisfaction guarantee. Furthermore, the customer support staff is friendly, extremely professional, and very cooperative.

Video Tutorial on How to Recover Files from NAS Server?

Steps to Recover Your Lost Data

It asks you to follow 8 super simple steps, as listed below.

Step 1: You already have Recoverit on your system. Right? If not, download it from the official site and install it carefully.

Step 2: Once done, tap on “NAS and Linux.”

Step 3: Now, you will find a blue-colored button at the bottom, namely “NAS Recovery.” Click on this button to proceed.

Step 4: Now, the program will show you a couple of detectable NAS devices on your computer’s screen. Select the one that has your lost or deleted data files.

Step 5: Upon selecting the NAS device, a new window will appear on your screen. Enter the desired details, as asked on the screen. As soon as you provide them all, don’t forget to hit the “Connect” button. It will help you establish a wireless connection.

Step 6: Now, Recoverit will start searching for the data you lost earlier. For this, it uses an auto-scan technique. You can estimate the expected recovery time or search time by looking at the scanning progress displayed at the bottom of the window.

Step 7: It is time to preview (tap on the Preview button) the files before you proceed to recover them.

Step 8: Once you are sure that the file you have previewed is the one you are actually looking for, hit the “Recover” button. Now, the program will ask for the selection of a specific location on your system where you can store the recovered data. Ensure you provide a different path this time (compared to the earlier location where your data was accidentally lost).

Takeaway

Cross-platform file sharing refers to the scenario when you share the same data across various platforms where multiple clients can access it. QNAP NFS, QNAP Samba, QNAP AFP, and QNAP exFAT are the top-grade file-sharing protocols in NAS. You can trust them all. However, when it comes to read and write speeds and security standards, AFP wins the battle against all others. But it is only available for Mac devices.

Accidental deletion of the data from NAS is indeed a bad scenario, and no one wants to get exposed to it. Do you? But there are many cases worldwide when people lose their NAS data and struggle to find a credible recovery tool. Thanks to Wondershare Recoverit for making life easier in this regard. It helps you recover your lost or deleted NAS data with an over 95% data recovery rate.