Qsync Central Station 2.0 is a cloud-based file synchronization service on the NAS. Simply add files to your local Qsync folder, and they will be available on your NAS and all its connected devices.
In this chapter, the following topics are covered:
Downloading the Qsync Client utility on your computers and Qfile on your mobile devices,
3.
Logging into the NAS (serving as a Qsync server) from your computers or mobile devices (referred to in this document as "Qsync clients".)
1.
Creating user accounts on the NAS
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Go to "Control Panel" > "Privilege Settings" > "Users" > click "Create" (or go to "Qsync Central Station 2.0" > "Users" > "Create a User".)
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Only NAS administrators can create accounts.
2.
Downloading Qsync Client
Follow the instructions on the "Overview" page to download the utility (log into the NAS > click "Qsync Central Station 2.0" on the NAS Desktop > "Overview" page,) or directly download the utility from the QNAP website: "Support" > "Download" > "Utilities".
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For computers, download the Qsync Client utility (only available for Windows.)
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For mobile devices, download and install Qfile from the iOS or Android app stores.
3.
Setting up Qsync Client
Launch the installer and follow these steps to set up the Qsync Client:
1.
To locate the NAS within a LAN, simply click "Search" or key in its IP address or name (e.g. IP address: 10.8.1.20 or 192.168.1.100.) To connect to a remote NAS (over the Internet) use your myQNAPcloud address (e.g. andy@myQNAPcloud.com.)
2.
Enter the NAS login username and password.
3.
Set up the Qsync local folder on your PC.
4.
Assign a name to identify the local PC for the Qsync server.
5.
Click "Apply" .
6.
Pair a local folder with the shared folder on the NAS.
Note: If the NAS connection ports have been changed, please append the port number to the IP address; otherwise only enter an IP address. (Default port number: 8080)
Starting Qsync Client
Double click the Qsync shortcut in Windows to open the Qsync local folder. Click the Qsync Client icon on the taskbar to bring up the menu. If you copy/move files to the local Qsync folder on one of your devices, the files will be synced with all the other devices (devices with the Qsync Client installed that are connected to the NAS.) From now on, there is no need to copy files back-and-forth between your PC and these other devices or worry about the size of files as you try to attach them to an email.
Synchronization
There are several methods for synchronizing files. Qsync Central Station will automatically synchronize the files across your computers and mobile devices that have the Qsync Client installed, and they will also be synchronized to the Qsync folder on the NAS:
1.
For PCs, drag and drop files to the local Qsync folder.
2.
For mobile devices (Qfile), copy or move files into the local Qsync folder.
3.
For the NAS, copy or move files to the Qsync folder using File Station.
Note:
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If files are "dragged and dropped" to the local Qsync folder, they will be moved (and not copied) to that folder if the files and the local Qsync folder are on the same disk drive. This behavior is the same as Windows File Explorer.
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The maximum size of a single file that Qsync can transmit across a LAN is 50GB.
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Qsync does not support SAMBA, FTP or AFP for files access. Please access files using File Station or a Qsync Client.
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Qfile only synchronizes the file list and does not download the files to a mobile device. Please download the files when you need them.
Offline editing
You can edit your files offline and Qsync Central Station will automatically synchronize the changes made once your device is online.
Sharing
Sharing files by download links
You can share files by sending download links to those who have not installed Qsync Client.
For Windows:
1.
Right click on the file that you want to share in the local Qsync folder and click "Share the link".
2.
Choose to send the link via email or copy the link to directly share it.
3.
Click "Settings" to see more options, including creating a SSL link, the expiration date, or password.
For the NAS, right click on the file that you want to share in the Qsync folder within File Station and click "Share".
For mobile devices, launch Qfile to share the file in the local Qsync folder by clicking the icon to the right and click "Share".
The file recipients can click the link or copy and paste it to a web browser to download the file.
Sharing folders with a group
You can share a folder with a user group. If any member from the group shares the files in the folder, other members can receive the file.
1.
Create user accounts in the NAS for each group member.
2.
Ensure that a Qsync Client is installed on each member’s device.
3.
Right click on the folder you want to share in the local Qsync folder and click "Share this folder as a team folder".
4.
Select users from the list of local or domain users.
All of the members in the group will receive a file sharing invitation. Once accepted, the group members can start accessing this shared folder.
Note:
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The team folder will only take effect after users accept their invitation.
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Users cannot share team folders that have been shared with them.
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Only the folders under /home on your NAS can be shared as a Team Folder.
Remote Access
Accessing the NAS over the Internet
To connect to a remote NAS (over the Internet), the administrator must first configure the device name for the NAS in "myQNAPcloud". The administrator can then share the myQNAPcloud address to allow users to access the remote NAS. (e.g. andy@myQNAPcloud.com)
Note:
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A connection with a NAS over the Internet will be slower compared to a LAN environment.
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As you switch back to a LAN-based NAS, ensure that you reconnect to the NAS via LAN to get a better connection quality.
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To improve file transmission performance, it is recommended that you configure port forwarding on the router.
Synchronizing photos and videos automatically
Qsync Central Station can synchronize your photos and videos from mobile devices to the Qsync folder across all Qsync client devices.
Steps:
1.
Install Qfile on your mobile devices by following instructions outlined on the Qsync Central Station Overview page on the NAS or find it from your device’s app store.
2.
Launch Qfile.
3.
Click "Settings" on the bottom-right side of the screen.
4.
Scroll down and look for "Auto upload from photo gallery" and click on "Set up now".
5.
Select a NAS to upload photos and videos to.
6.
Select the folder.
7.
Select "Use default setting" ( /Qsync/Camera Uploads) or select "Set up manually" to set the path.
8.
Select if you want to upload all photos from the photo gallery immediately.
9.
You can tick the checkbox "Limit to Wi-Fi" to ensure that you only upload files through Wi-Fi and not your phone’s network.
10.
The uploaded files will be synchronized to the "Camera Uploads" folder under the Qsync folder on Qsync client devices.
Note: If files that were previously uploaded are deleted from the "Camera Uploads" folder, Qfile will not upload those copies in the photo library again.
Synchronization Management
Click the Qsync Client icon on the taskbar to see the management functions:
1.
Add files and view the synchronization result on the NAS:
a.
Open Qsync folder: Open the local Qsync folder to add files.
b.
View files by the web browser: Browse files in the Qsync folder using File Station.
2.
Control synchronization progress:
a.
Pause syncing / Resume syncing: Click to pause or resume syncing.
b.
Sync with NAS now: Force Qsync to scan again and refresh the synchronization list.
3.
Information for syncing and sharing:
a.
Sharing & File Update Center
i.
File Update Center: List the file or folder update logs.
ii.
Sharing Center: List the folders or files shared with others. Users can choose to accept or decline the team folders. However, users cannot share team folders that are shared by others.
b.
Recently changed files: Lists the recently updated files.
4.
Preference:
a.
General:
i.
Link Status: Shows the current status. Click "Logout" to change users.
ii.
Network Recycle Bin: Browse or recover files deleted from the Qsync folder.
b.
Sync:
i.
Manage paired folders: Add, delete, or edit folder pair settings.
ii.
Import photos and videos: Import photos and videos when an USB device is connected. This feature only checks for photos and videos in the "DCIM" folder in the root directory of USB devices.
iii.
Default folder: choose a folder to import files from external drives or QGenie.
iv.
Do not remove any files on the NAS when synchronizing: You can remove files within the local Qsync folder, and files deleted from your computer will not be synchronized with the NAS. The NAS will still retain copies of deleted files.
c.
Policy:
i.
Conflict Policies: The policies for handling the name conflicts between the Qsync server (NAS) and clients after it is back online from a disconnection:
1)
Rename the local files,
2)
Rename the remote NAS files,
3)
Replace local files with remote NAS files, or
4)
Replace remote NAS files with local files.
ii.
Sharing Policies: The policies of the team folders when other Qsync users share them to this local computer:
1)
Always reject sharing,
2)
Automatically accept sharing, or
3)
Send a notification message once sharing occurs.
iii.
Filter Settings: During file synchronization, Qsync will skip the file types specified in filter settings.
d.
E-Mail:
i.
Set up E-mail: Set up an email account for sharing file links. You can use the NAS SMTP server settings (for administrators only), your PC’s mail server settings, or configure a new SMTP server.
e.
Proxy:
i.
Set up Proxy: Use a proxy server for the Qsync client device.
f.
Advanced:
i.
Debug log: The system will record all of the synchronization activities between your computer and the NAS for diagnosing technical problems.
Note: The "Sync" and "Proxy" tab is not available on Mac.
Version Control
This will retain one copy of a file as a version whenever you add or modify it, allowing you to retrieve a specific previous version at any time. Or, if you accidently overwritten a previous version made by others while editing the file in team folder, you can still restore the previous version. And you can restore the previous versions even if you have deleted the file from the recycle bin.
Viewing the version history
You can view the version history by using File Station. Right click on a file or folder in the Qsync folder in File Station and select "Previous Versions" to show the version list (or you can access it from menu bar "More Action" > "Previous Versions". Or, just click the "Show Right Panel" > "Version". You can also access it from the Qsync client utility. Right click on a file of folder in the Qsync folder and select "Previous Versions".
Restoring the previous versions
In the version history page, select the version you want to restore and click "Restore".
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Click "Download" to download the version to the local computer.
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Click "Delete All" to delete all of the listed versions.
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Click "Refresh" to update the status of the version history.
Restoring versions of a deleted file
Version control retains versions in a separate location, so even you delete the file, you can still restore the previous versions of the file - even if the file has been deleted from the recycle bin.
To restore the version of a deleted file, click on any folder/file in the Qsync folder, and then click "More Action" > "Show Deleted Files" in the menu bar. To view the version history, right click on a file/folder in Qsync folder and select "Previous Versions". Or you can access it from the menu bar, "More Action" > "Previous Versions". Or just click the "Show Right Panel" > "version" to show the version list.
Restoring previous versions
In the version history page, select the version you want to restore and click "Restore".
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Click "Download" to download the version to the local computer.
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Click "Delete All" to delete all of the listed versions.
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Click "Refresh" to update the status of the version history.
Note: If you click "Delete All", then click "Refresh" and the associated files will be removed from the list.
To exit the view of the deleted file list, right click on any file/folder and select "Hide Deleted Files". Or access it from menu bar, "More Action" > "Hide Deleted Files".
Managing and setting version control
To access the management and settings of version control, click the Qsync button on the desktop of the NAS, then click "Version Control" in the right-side menu.
The target folder
"Enable version control" is the main switch of the version control. Disabling this option will not delete versions that have already been created. "Enable version for my Qsync folder" allows each user to apply the function to their files.
Target folder for version control
You can apply the version control to the files under specific Qsync folders to save space. To assign specific folders, select "Assign specific subfolder under the Qsync folder", then click "Add" to add folders. You can add up to 5 folders. Click "Delete" to remove all versions under the selected folders and subfolders. This will not take effect until you click "Apply" or "Apply All".
Advanced
Maximum Number of Versions: You can choose how many versions you want to retain. This is a control only for administrators. The more versions you keep the more storage space will be taken up. To know how much space has been used for version control, click "Check" in the "Disk Used for Version Control" section.
Note:
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If you reduce the maximum number of versions, it will impact the versions that have been created and if the volume of versions exceeds the new settings, the earlier versions will be dropped. Only the equivalent number of latest versions as of the new settings will be kept.
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The deletion will only take effect after you click "Apply" or "Apply All".
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The maximum number of versions supported for Version Control is 64.
Managing or Monitoring Qsync Status via Web Browser
Log into the NAS via web browser and click Qsync Central Station 2.0.
1.
Overview: This page shows the mode of use management (User Customization Mode or Central Configuration Mode) and the total number of online users and devices. It also provides links to File Station and for installing Qsync. In addition, you can enable or disable the Qsync service (for administrators only.)
2.
Management settings: This provides a centralized management for administrators to edit Qsync Client default settings. For details on the management settings, please refer to the Using Centralized Mode for Centralized Management section.
3.
Users: Lists the information of online users, and you can manage the users of Qsync service here (for administrators only.)
4.
Devices: This table lists the status of connected devices. It also provides options for you to manage each device, allowing you to edit their settings, block them, or to remotely erase them.
a.
If users log in from their PC, the name of the device will be shown as their computer name.
b.
If users log in from Qfile, the name of the device will be shown as "Qfile-Android" or "Qfile-iPhone".
c.
If users move or copy files to the Qsync folder in the File Station, the name of the device will be shown as "Qsync-File Station".
5.
Event Logs: Lists activity details by user.
6.
Team Folder: Lists information about team folders, including folders that you shared and folders that are shared with you.
7.
Shared Folder: Administrators can decide which shared folders will be synced with client devices. If a user has Read/Write or Read-only and synchronization privileges on a shared folder, it can then be synced with their client device.
8.
Shared File Links: Lists the status of shared links.
9.
Version Control: You can set the maximum number of version for your files and check the space used for Version Control.
Using Centralized Mode for Centralized Management
Administrators can now apply pre-configured settings to devices that connect to the NAS for the first time, restrict users’ right on modifications to all or certain preference settings of their client utilities, edit settings for individual Qsync client devices online, or set a management password (a master password for all client devices.)
To apply pre-configured settings on connected devices, follow these steps:
1.
Log into the NAS as an administrator > "Qsync Central Station 2.0" > Management settings,
2.
Click "Edit default settings".
3.
Under the "Synchronize" tab, choose whether to remotely remove any files on the NAS during synchronization.
4.
Under the "Policy" tab, set conflict policies, and filter settings.
5.
Under the "Mails" tab, set up the email option and sender details.
6.
Click "Apply".
To allow all users to configure their own client utility, follow these steps:
1.
Log into the NAS as an administrator > "Qsync Central Station 2.0" > Management settings,
2.
Select "Central Configuration Mode" and tick the preference settings that users are allowed to modify for their Qsync client device.
3.
Click "Apply".
To edit settings for individual Qsync client devices, follow these steps:
1.
Log into the NAS as an administrator and navigate to the "Devices" page in Qsync Central Station.
2.
Click the "Edit settings for Qsync utility" icon under "Action" for the device to be modified
3.
Modify its preference settings (including synchronization, policy and mail settings.)
To set a management password, follow these steps:
1.
Log into the NAS as an administrator and navigate to the "Management Settings" page in Qsync Central Station.
