############################################
2. Overview of the |prodname|
############################################

|prodname|  is a secure, remote, and mobile access solution that focuses on local file server cloud-enablement. It differentiates from other file sync and share solutions (EFSS) by focusing on data ownership, security, control, file server, and team collaboration. 

    1. **Data Ownership** - data stays with the local file server without being copied over to cloud storage services.
    2. **Security** - the same security methods that guard the current local file server still adequate to protect data storage.
    3. **Control** - the same file server accessing and control protocol still in place to provide access to corporate employees with active directory identity
    4. **File Server** - It is not a cloud file server or a hybrid file server, but direct local file server cloud enablement. It mobilizes current file servers for them to be easier for access from the remote workforce.
    5. **Team Collaboration** - Preserve the same drive mapping, file locking features, so corporate employees don't need to learn a new team collaboration method. 

Triofox does well in the following areas:

   1. Maintaining Active Directory, security, and NTFS permissions on files and folders.
   2. Providing live time sync-and-share with versioning and revision controls.
   3. Providing On-Demand access that honors Read-Only, and Write permissions in Real-Time.
   4. Mirroring of local network shares for Team Collaboration in the Cloud.
   5. Provide drive mapping and file locking functionality for files in the Cloud.

|prodname| is a software solution built on top of the Microsoft Web Platform. It provides file access and sharing functionality from PCs, Macs, File Servers, Web Browsers 
and Mobile Devices. In addition, it also brings data protection, offsite or cloud backup and cloud migration features.

Triofox Server is a software built on top of the Microsoft Web Platform:

    * Windows Server
    * IIS (Internet Information Server)
    * .NET Framework and ASP.NET
    * WCF (Windows Communication Foundation)
    * PostgreSQL, MySQL Community Edition (for the all-in-one deployment) or SQL Server

Since the Triofox Server is built on top of the Microsoft Web Platform, it integrates very well with other Microsoft components such as the NTFS Permission on files and folders, 
the Active Directory users and the File Server network shares.

It provides file access and sharing functionality through client agents for PCs, Macs, File Servers, Web Browsers, and Mobile Devices. 
The client agent software on Windows and Mac provides real drive mapping and volume mounting support that contains advanced optimization for WAN (Wide Area Network) data transfer.

The services can be deployed in flexible combinations to meet different needs. There are two primary ways to deploy the |prodname|.

    1. Deploy the |prodname| server in the same site as the File Servers and Active Directory domain controllers:
    
    .. image:: _static/SelfHostedTriofoxDirectShare.svg
    
    See also:
    
    `File Server Remote Access <https://www.gladinet.com/hybrid-cloud-with-file-server.html>`_
    
    2. Deploy in a cloud data center, such as Amazon Web Services EC2, Microsoft Azure, or in a Disaster Recovery Data Center:
    
    .. image:: _static/SelfHostedTriofoxRemoteShare.svg

System Components 
===================

There are three different system components (logical components that can co-exist in the same server) in the Triofox server. In the smallest deployment unit, the three different components can co-exist in one single machine (all-in-one deployment).

1. Web Server Component - The Triofox Server
------------------------------------------------
    The Web Server component is ASP.NET and WFC code that is hosted by IIS on a Windows Server. The Web Server component is actually comprised of two separate "sub-components":

    * Web Node 
    * Worker Node

    These sub-components exist for historical purposes and there are still elements in the Cluster Manager user interface for configuring these sub-components. 

2. Database - Configuration Information and System Log
--------------------------------------------------------

    The database contains persistent information for the system. This persistent information includes static configuration information such as user name, file storage and 
    active directory connection information. The database also stores dynamic information such as activity log, file change log and audit traces.

    Triofox supports the PostgreSQL, MySQL and Microsoft SQL Server Database Management Systems (DMBS). The all-in-one deployment will deploy PostgreSQL on the Triofox server. 
 

3. Back-end File Storage - Where Files and Folders are Stored
-------------------------------------------------------------

    Triofox by default allowing you to choose file server network shares in the local area network and connect them to Triofox for remote, web and mobile access.


Please reference the “Deployment Guide” as well as the “Installation Guide” for information on how to setup and deploy Triofox.
This guide is focused on the administration of the |prodname|.

.. note::

    This Administration Guide is for the Self-Hosted |prodname| Server.