Sharing Question "Daisy chaining remote Drives"


jimbo45

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Is it possible in Windows to have say "Attach / Connect" Network drive as Drive "Y" for example and then allow remote users access to that "Y" drive. Doesn't seem any way to do this. I don't want users to have accounts on the Server where that drive is physically attached to.

Cheers
jimbo
 

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I think you need to elaborate on your scenario a bit further.

EDIT: ...also all this account stuff can be managed on the server with group policies etc...you can have a "network storage user group" that only has access to a certain drive. A well configured server gives zero or very minimum permissions to a user and attaching that user to specific groups opens up more rights to do stuff.
 

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You can use File Explorer.

Open File Explorer, in the left pane, right-mouse click on Network, and select Map network drive... and enter the \\server_IP\share as the location you want to make available as a disk drive letter.
 

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I think you need to elaborate on your scenario a bit further.

EDIT: ...also all this account stuff can be managed on the server with group policies etc...you can have a "network storage user group" that only has access to a certain drive. A well configured server gives zero or very minimum permissions to a user and attaching that user to specific groups opens up more rights to do stuff.


NAS -- Drive is mounted on /dev/md1

Win 2022 server -- attached as network drive "Z" viewable and acessible if logged on to the server.

People who can logon directly to server --OK

Firestick / smart TV / kodi / VLC / phone / media servers on 3rd party sticks etc that needs to access the content -- can't do it as disks not available. Other directly connected shareable drives on the Windows server are acessible

So Smart TV etc can't access the "Shared network drive" even though it can see the W2022 server. -- Same prob in W10 and W11 BTW .

Allowing Kodi etc access to the NAS works perfectly. Or if connecting the drives physically to the Windows server / computer also works.

So the basic problem is this -- unless physically logged on to the server the "Network drives" aren't acessible to other apps such as KODI etc unless physically connected to the server,

Cheers
jimbo
 

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NAS -- Drive is mounted on /dev/md1

Win 2022 server -- attached as network drive "Z" viewable and acessible if logged on to the server.

People who can logon directly to server --OK

Firestick / smart TV / kodi / VLC / phone / media servers on 3rd party sticks etc that needs to access the content -- can't do it as disks not available. Other directly connected shareable drives on the Windows server are acessible

So Smart TV etc can't access the "Shared network drive" even though it can see the W2022 server. -- Same prob in W10 and W11 BTW .

Allowing Kodi etc access to the NAS works perfectly. Or if connecting the drives physically to the Windows server / computer also works.

So the basic problem is this -- unless physically logged on to the server the "Network drives" aren't acessible to other apps such as KODI etc unless physically connected to the server,

Cheers
jimbo
Are the drives being shared with samba shares?

I'm not super familiar with windows server as my home server is running Linux but I have samba shares and I can access from any device that supports SMB just have to put in username and password.

Also since you mention Kodi and smart TVs I assume your trying to stream your videos?

It's usually easier to use media clients like Jellyfin to share your video library to other devices.
 

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Are the drives being shared with samba shares?

I'm not super familiar with windows server as my home server is running Linux but I have samba shares and I can access from any device that supports SMB just have to put in username and password.

Also since you mention Kodi and smart TVs I assume your trying to stream your videos?

It's usually easier to use media clients like Jellyfin to share your video library to other devices.
This isn't the problem -- the NAS is of course acessible -- but say you have a shared drive on the NAS machine that can be seen on a Windows machine -- now other REMOTE users to that Windows machine (and NOT the NAS) who want to access the shared drive (on the Windows machine -- not via the NAS) is where the problem arises !!!.

I.E on NAS any device / user that can see device X -- no problem

On Windows (whether server or W10 etc) shared drives physically attached to the machine -- OK visible and acessible.

Now say I have drive "Z" as network drive acessible on Windows as Network drive FROM the NAS.

Remote users /devices can't even see that drive -- they only see the drives that are physically attached to Windows machine.

Try it from a phone -- have a Network mounted shared drive from your NAS on Windows. Say it's "Z"

Now with your phone via VLC or whatever connect to the Windows machine or use another Windows client machine in your network and tell me if you can see the "Network attached drive" from the NAS as a Windows shared drive. You won't even see drive "Z". Of course if you connect to the NAS directly -- no problem but that's not the issue I'm discussing here.

Cheers
jimbo
 
Last edited:

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This isn't the problem -- the NAS is of course acessible -- but say you have a shared drive on the NAS machine that can be seen on a Windows machine -- now other REMOTE users to that Windows machine (and NOT the NAS) who want to access the shared drive (on the Windows machine -- not via the NAS) is where the problem arises !!!.

I.E on NAS any device / user that can see device X -- no problem

On Windows (whether server or W10 etc) hared drives physically attcahed to the machine -- OK visible and acessible.

Now say I have drive "Z" as network drive acessible on Windows as Network drive FROM the NAS.

Remote users /devices can't even see that drive -- they only see the drives that are physically attached to Windows machine.

Try it from a phone -- have a Network mounted shared drive from your NAS on Windows. Say it's "Z"

Now with your phone via VLC or whatever connect to the Windows machine and tell me if you can see the "Network attached drive" from the NAS as a Windows shared drive. You won't even see drive "Z".

Cheers
jimbo
Not sure I fully understand what your trying to do.

If the NAS is accessible directly over the network why are you trying to access the windows machine?

When you map a drive on Windows all it's doing is saving its location on the network.

Other devices should be able to do the same they don't need to access the windows machine.
 

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I am fairly certain this feature is disabled alltogether for SMB shares. 2 reasons. Security and performance and maybe even as a technical issue in the SMB protocol.
 

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When you map a drive on Windows all it's doing is saving its location on the network.

Other devices should be able to do the same they don't need to access the windows machine.
...and this! I am a bit confused too.
 

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    Ryzen 7 2700U Pro
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    Lenovo (WiFi/BT module upgraded to Intel Wireless-AC-9260)
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    32GB
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    iGPU Vega 10
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    Realtek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    14" FHD (built-in) + 14" Lenovo Thinkvision M14t (touch+pen) + 32" Asus PB328
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    FHD + FHD + 1440p
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    Intel 660p m.2 nVME PCIe3.0 x2 512GB
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    i7-7700k @4.8GHz
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    Asus PRIME Z270-A
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    32GB 2x16GB 2133MHz CL15
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    EVGA GTX1080Ti FTW 11GB
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    512GB ADATA SX8000NP NVMe PCIe Gen 3 x4
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    850W
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    Fractal Design Define 7
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    Noctua NH-D15 chromax.black
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Not sure I fully understand what your trying to do.

If the NAS is accessible directly over the network why are you trying to access the windows machine?

When you map a drive on Windows all it's doing is saving its location on the network.

Other devices should be able to do the same they don't need to access the windows machine.
The remote machines could be on the Internet etc -- all sorts of reasons -- however the problem is should it work. The main issue here is actually I want KODI on a fire stick on people's remote TV's to be able to access shared multi-media content remotely rather than set up a whole slew of user accounts on a NAS, with openvpn and all the other junk that's needed to set that up rather than just allow a Windows machine to share files.
 

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...and this! I am a bit confused too.
I agree security etc is a consideration - but sometimes all this security B/S is just bonkers for domestic systems doing this type of stuff.

We're not trying to break into the Kremlin or the CIA but just want to share some video between a few local households in our neighbourhood. !!!! (Although if I could break into the Kremlin - I wouldn't have to worry about inflation reducing value of my eventual pension !!!!!).

Cheers
jimbo
 

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Can your NAS do iSCSI? That could work as an solution. You should be able to share iSCSI drives over SAMBA, since it behaves like a local drive even if it is a network drive.
 

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    Windows 11 Pro 23H2 build 10.0.22631.3296 (Release Channel) / Linux Mint 21.3 Cinnamon
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    Lenovo A485
    CPU
    Ryzen 7 2700U Pro
    Motherboard
    Lenovo (WiFi/BT module upgraded to Intel Wireless-AC-9260)
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    32GB
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    iGPU Vega 10
    Sound Card
    Realtek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    14" FHD (built-in) + 14" Lenovo Thinkvision M14t (touch+pen) + 32" Asus PB328
    Screen Resolution
    FHD + FHD + 1440p
    Hard Drives
    Intel 660p m.2 nVME PCIe3.0 x2 512GB
    PSU
    65W
    Keyboard
    Thinkpad / Logitech MX Keys
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 2S
    Internet Speed
    600/300Mbit
    Browser
    Edge (Chromium)
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
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    SecureBoot: Enabled
    TPM2.0: Enabled
    AMD-V: Enabled
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro 23H2 build 10.0.22631.3296(Release Preview Channel)
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom
    CPU
    i7-7700k @4.8GHz
    Motherboard
    Asus PRIME Z270-A
    Memory
    32GB 2x16GB 2133MHz CL15
    Graphics card(s)
    EVGA GTX1080Ti FTW 11GB
    Sound Card
    Integrated
    Monitor(s) Displays
    32" 10-bit Asus PB328Q
    Screen Resolution
    WQHD 2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    512GB ADATA SX8000NP NVMe PCIe Gen 3 x4
    PSU
    850W
    Case
    Fractal Design Define 7
    Cooling
    Noctua NH-D15 chromax.black
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 2S
    Keyboard
    Logitech MX Keys
    Internet Speed
    600/300Mbit
    Browser
    Edge (Cromium)
    Antivirus
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    Other Info
    AC WiFi Card
The remote machines could be on the Internet etc -- all sorts of reasons -- however the problem is should it work. The main issue here is actually I want KODI on a fire stick on people's remote TV's to be able to access shared multi-media content remotely rather than set up a whole slew of user accounts on a NAS, with openvpn and all the other junk that's needed to set that up rather than just allow a Windows machine to share files.
So your trying to set up a media server?

Are the other people you want to have access outside your network?

A media cilent should allow you to do this.

I know Plex has remote access built in so you can share your media with people outside your network. It doesn't require using a VPN just need to allow the port through your router.

I've never used this feature so I'm not 100% sure how the accounts work. I believe you could just set up one account and share the username and password
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 10 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom
    CPU
    Ryzen 9 3900X
    Motherboard
    X470-F
    Memory
    Corsair 32GB DDR4 3600 MHZ
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD Radeon RX 5700 XT
    Sound Card
    SupremeFX 8-Channel High Definition Audio CODEC S1220A
    Monitor(s) Displays
    LG 25UM58 Ultrawide
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1080
    Hard Drives
    Corsair Force MP510 480GB
    Corsair Force MP510 240GB
    Samsung SSD 870 EVO 250GB
    Seagate Barracuda 4TB HDD
    PSU
    Corsair RM550x
    Case
    Fractal Design Define R5
    Cooling
    3X Case Fans
    Keyboard
    Ducky One2 SF 65% Black RGB
    Mouse
    SteelSeries Rival 310
    Internet Speed
    50 Mbps
    Browser
    Chrome
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
  • Operating System
    Windows 10 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell XPS 15 7590
    CPU
    Intel i7-9750H
    Memory
    16 GB DDR4
    Graphics card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650
    Monitor(s) Displays
    15" IPS
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    512 GB SSD

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