Cloud File Server Solution

Secure online File Server for Businesses

Egnyte Cloud File Server is an enterprise-class file system that replaces traditional on-premises file storage with a solution superior to other online file storage services, especially regarding security and reliability. Egnyte cloud storage enables easy file access, sharing, and collaboration from any device with far less complexity and cost.

Cloud File Server Benefits

  1. Accessibility

    Cloud file hosting allows users to access information from anywhere with an internet connection. If an Internet connection is unavailable, users can work offline to update files, knowing that their files will automatically be synchronized with the master version in the cloud when the Internet connection is restored.



    Egnyte’s Cloud File Server Gives Users Fast, Easy Access 

    Egnyte’s enterprise cloud file server gives customers secure remote access to all their files from any connected device and location. With Egnyte’s secure file cloud hosting solution, files can be accessed without the hassle of a VPN. A mapped drive letter experience is provided for Windows and Mac systems as well as iOS and Android, which presents Egnyte as a local drive. Egnyte also provides browser-based file access with even more features.

  2. Cost


    Cloud file servers eliminate the need to purchase expensive physical storage. Because cloud file hosting does not require this investment in hardware and maintenance, cloud file systems cost far less to purchase and maintain than physical alternatives.



    Egnyte’s Cloud File Server Reduces Total Cost of Ownership


    Customers who choose Egnyte’s enterprise cloud file server see a significant reduction in the total cost of ownership for cloud file services. With a rich suite of cloud file sharing and cloud file collaboration solutions, Egnyte exceeds customers’ expectations delivering exceptional value.

  3. Backup and Recovery


    Enterprise cloud file servers eliminate the risks associated with a hard drive failure or other hardware malfunction. Acting as primary storage or as a backup for local storage on physical drives, Egnyte’s online file storage provides far better availability than is possible with on-premise redundant drives and backups. Egnyte completely automates the protection of all data behind the scenes, with all files being continuously replicated across multiple geographically distributed data centers.



    Egnyte Cloud File Server Provides Multiple Layers of Redundancy


    Files residing in Egnyte have multiple levels of redundancy for backup and recovery. With Egnyte’s cloud file services, multiple copies of each file are maintained. In the event of local data loss, such as lost or damaged computers, files in Egnyte’s online file storage are always available online, accessible from any device.

  4. Syncing and Updating


    With a cloud file server, users can designate files and folders on their local drive to be replicated in the cloud. Any changes made to files are synced and updated across all connected devices.

    Egnyte Cloud File Server Keeps Files Synced Across Multiple Devices


    The cloud file sync and share capabilities of Egnyte extend to desktop and mobile devices, with files kept synced across multiple devices. Egnyte maintains a copy of all files and changes made on each file.

  5. Security


    Cloud file services provide enterprise-class security to protect data from unauthorized access by any user. Data protection systems, encryption, and physical protections ensure that cloud file hosting is safe for even the most sensitive data.



    Egnyte Cloud File Server Ensures Data Security with Strong Encryption


    Files residing in Egnyte are protected under multiple levels of data security and redundancy. Egnyte uses encryption techniques on all access routes. All data transmission, including uploads, downloads, and browsing is encrypted using TLS 1.2 protocol.

  6. Unlimited Capacity


    Unlike local storage systems, online file storage has no restrictions on capacity.



    Egnyte Cloud File Server Scales Capacity Based On Requirements


    With Egnyte File Server, storage capacity can be instantaneously increased. Egnyte cloud storage allows organizations to seamlessly scale any online file repository as demand increases. Performance at scale includes any number of users from ten to tens of thousands, any number of files from hundreds to millions, and any amount of capacity from a few Gigs to hundreds of Terabytes.

Cloud File Server Benefits

Cloud File Server Services

  1. Security

    Cloud file services provide enterprise-class security to protect data from unauthorized access by any user. Data protection systems, encryption, and physical protections ensure that cloud file hosting is safe for even the most sensitive data.



    Egnyte Cloud File Server Security

    Files residing in Egnyte are protected under multiple levels of data security and redundancy. Egnyte uses encryption techniques on all access routes. All data transmission, including uploads, downloads, and browsing, is encrypted using TLS 1.2 protocol as well as all data at rest. In addition, with Egnyte Cloud File Sever, passwords stored locally and in the cloud are always encrypted. 

    Egnyte Cloud File Server Desktop Security

    The Egnyte desktop software that is used for backups also uses encryption when uploading information to Egnyte. This data is transmitted using TLS1.2. This ensures that any files stored or retrieved from Egnyte are transmitted safely. In addition, at the application user interface level, Egnyte prevents the injection of malicious scripts by using rigorous coding techniques and avoiding the use of dynamic scripting languages, which are amenable to malicious script injection. 

    Server Security with Egnyte Cloud File Server

    Egnyte file servers where customers’ data is stored are not publicly visible. With Egnyte cloud storage, files can only be accessed by the application. All customer data is stored in separate, protected sub-domains for each customer. 

    Restricted Access to Egnyte File Server

    Egnyte employees do not have access to customers’ data in any way. Access to an Egnyte file server is only accessible to system administrators who are assigned responsibility for the Egnyte server.

    Egnyte Cloud File Server Secure File Hosting

    Egnyte servers are hosted at SAS 70 Type II compliant collocation facilities that feature 24/7 manned security, biometric access control, video surveillance, and physical locks. Egnyte also integrates with client-side encryption services to provide complete end-to-end data encryption. Customers can define and manage their own encryption keys, enabling complete control over files from anywhere.

    Egnyte Cloud File Server Security-Related Compliance

    Egnyte file servers follow security protocols that ensure the highest level of protection for customers’ file cloud hosting. Egnyte commits extensive resources to maintain an enterprise-class security infrastructure, allowing customers to comply with regulatory and industry security requirements, including SAS 70 Type II, HIPAA, FINRA, and EU-US Privacy Shield requirements.

  2. Syncing and Updating


    With a cloud file server, any changes made to files are synced and updated across all connected devices.



    Egnyte Cloud File Server Keeps Files Synced Across Multiple Devices

    The cloud file sync and share capabilities of Egnyte extend to desktop and mobile devices, with files kept synced across multiple devices. Egnyte maintains a copy of all files and changes made on each file.

    Desktop Sync: Online and Offline Desktop Access

    The optional Egnyte Desktop software provides full access to files even when Internet connectivity isn’t available for files you designate. When Internet connectivity is restored, files are automatically and seamlessly synchronized between your computer and the Egnyte.

    Sub-folder sync and Permissions.

    As businesses grow, so does their data structure and need for granular control. Egnyte is the first and only cloud storage provider to offer file sync and permission controls down to the sub-folder level. Users can select folders and sub-folders in their Egnyte account to sync locally. Only files relevant to the chosen sub-folders will be downloaded and synchronized. This provides users with more control over storage and bandwidth use. Administrators can assign permissions to any folders and sub-folders. This granular control is crucial to businesses with complex folder structures, providing a powerful tool to manage file access at every level.

    Server Sync: Fast File Access Using Local Storage

    Egnyte Smart Cache is comprised of two components, Egnyte Cloud File Server and a local server running Egnyte Smart Cache. Smart Cache is a private cloud storage that holds local copies of business files on a computer, network-attached storage, virtual machine, or unified storage. Files stored in Smart Cache are automatically synchronized with the Cloud File Server, allowing users fast local file access, even without an Internet connection.

  3. Branding and Customization

    Whether sharing files with colleagues or clients, you can customize the user interface to reinforce your organization’s corporate identity. Egnyte provides an abundant set of capabilities for custom branding.

    Egnyte Cloud File Server Branding and Customization 


    Egnyte enables a customizable look and feel for user interfaces to allow customers to present consistent branding. Administrators have access to many branding options to customize their Egnyte domain and create a sense of visual continuity, including a logo integration, customized color scheme, branded account URL, file server label, mail server integration, and personalized systems emails for users.

  4. Understanding Cloud File Hosting

    Cloud file hosting offers a cost-effective, more reliable alternative to on-premises file hosting. With on-premises file hosting, file servers are run on an organization’s own hardware infrastructure, and it is responsible for all maintenance and support. With cloud file hosting, online file storage is provided and maintained by cloud file service providers. These companies provide storage and manage all aspects of the systems. Users access cloud file servers through a connected device.

    Egnyte Cloud File Hosting

    Egnyte has been purposefully built as a cloud-first, unified platform to combine the best of traditional file servers with the advantages of file sharing in the cloud. The platform delivers a familiar file server experience for users to easily access and share files from anywhere, on any device. It requires minimal resources to deploy and manage and allows IT to maintain complete control over.

  5. File Sharing Methods

    Cloud file sharing is supported by cloud file hosting solutions and services. With cloud file sharing, users can upload their files to a cloud file server. Once the files are uploaded to an online file repository, users can share them from any device with an internet connection. Cloud file sharing can be done using a link or providing permission to access the files directly. Cloud file services provide secure access to files, making it easy to share files and collaborate on projects, while maintaining compliance with regulations, such as GDPR, HIPAA, and FINRA.

    Egnyte Cloud File Sharing with Links

    Egnyte makes it easy to share file and folder links. Users can send large files with a URL link instead of an email attachment. Egnyte provides the option to create custom URLs that incorporate the organization’s URL. For example, an Egnyte account can be named fileshare.acme.com instead of acme.egnyte.com. The new website address will be displayed in the Egnyte Share Links.

    These links can be set to support mass distribution, making the file download available to a wide audience. In addition, users can control how long the link is active and can be automatically notified when a file has been downloaded. Also, by sharing links instead of attachments in emails, users save bandwidth, are always working from the latest version, and can disable links to revoke access later if needed.

    Egnyte File Sharing with Permissions

    Egnyte offers the option to grant permissions to access files and folders. By sharing a folder, all the files in that folder can be made accessible. Folder permission levels provide the capability to control what can be done by the type of user has access to the folder (e.g., read, edit, move, copy, or delete the contents).

    Egnyte gives the option of creating User Groups, which offer a convenient way to cluster users for assigning common permissions to folders and assigning a user type to control privileges. User groups are typically created to allow everyone in a group or department to access a folder, such as finance or development. In addition to User Groups, Egnyte also supports roles such as Admin, Power User, and Standard Users. Theses can be configured to control the authorized actions of each user level. Together, roles and groups allow administrators to scale the management of capabilities and folder access to thousands of users.

    • Administrators

      Create Power Users, Standard Users, and Groups from the Users & Groups menu.

    • Power Users (Employees)

      Access files using the web browser, FTP, Desktop App, and mobile apps, and can invite Standard Users to share files.

    • Standard Users (Business Partners)

      Access to shared folders, but do not have their private folders and cannot share folder or file links.

Cloud File Server Services

Navigating the Cloud File System

A cloud file system leverages a hierarchical storage structure that organizes folders and files logically in directory trees for intuitive access. Meta tags are used to provide details about a folder or file’s content. This metadata helps make it easier and faster to find information stored in files and folders within the online file storage.

Navigating and Using Egnyte Cloud File Server

With Egnyte, unlimited folders can be created and arranged in a hierarchical folder structure (i.e., nested sub-folders). These folders can be accessed in several ways, including:

  1. Desktop Access

    Egnyte provides desktop file access using mapped drives. Mapped drives allow employees to map their Egnyte account to a desktop drive on their PC or Mac. Drag and drop files between folders in a familiar manner and open them for editing with a click.


  2. Mobile Access

    Egnyte allows simple file access from any mobile device, providing accessibility on the go. Access, share, edit, and download business files directly on mobile devices with the Egnyte app (available for the iPhone, iPad, Android, Windows Mobile, and webOS). Mobile web browsers can also be used to access and manage files.


  3. Web Access

    Egnyte provides secure and easy file access using any standard web browser (e.g., Internet Explorer, Firefox, Safari, and Chrome). Through the Egnyte web browser interface, users have access to a wide range of features, such as collaboration, content management, file sharing, and backup.



Egnyte provides powerful search capabilities that allow users to search through large numbers of files quickly. When files are uploaded, Egnyte fully indexes them for easy search and retrieval with the web browser interface. Egnyte search capabilities provide users with options for finding files, including searching by keywords, using metadata, or looking for similar files and file name matches. Keyword, file name, and tag search enable users to find files based on automatically extracted and indexed full-text content and file names.

Navigating the Cloud File System

Enabling Effective Cloud File Collaboration

Cloud file collaboration allows groups of users to work together on documents and other file types. The objective of cloud file collaboration is to enable users to share, edit, and view documents in real time. Key cloud file collaboration features include accessing files through the internet, setting custom permission levels, version control, and centralized file storage. In addition, all changes made to documents should be saved and synced to give all users access to the same updated version of the document.


Collaboration with Egnyte Cloud File Server

Egnyte provides a centralized file repository for all collaborative efforts supported by capabilities to optimize protectivity and maintain file integrity, including the following:

  1. Automatic File Versioning

    With Egnyte, there is no need to change filenames to capture versions. Egnyte automatically versions files as they change and never overwrites a file. It also maintains a complete audit trail of who made a change and when it was made.

  2. Automatic Notification of File Changes

    As new files are added or existing files change, Egnyte automatically notifies each user with access to those files. Users can specify a notification frequency indicating how often they want to be notified.

  3. File and Folder Access Controls

    Egnyte provides three levels of built-in security to prevent unauthorized access, including initial login, folder permissions (e.g., read, write, and delete), and individual file locking.

  4. File Locking and Checkout

    With Egnyte, users can lock files for modification (i.e., file checkout). Once a file is locked (i.e., checked out), other users can view the file, but cannot edit or upload changes until the file has been unlocked (i.e., file check-in).

  5. Simultaneous Sharing with Multiple Customers and Employees

    Egnyte empowers collaboration with remote teams and customers by establishing different levels of folder-based permission (e.g., read, write, and delete) to safely enable multiple parties to work together from one central online location.

  6. Shared Access for Third Parties

    Egnyte provides business partners with an intuitive web interface to collaborate and access files.

  7. Editing Files Using Well-Known Tools

    Egnyte provides integrations with Microsoft M365 and Google Workspace tools so users can use any editing tools they are comfortable with.

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