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KB ID: 3228

Configuring WebAccess on a Buffalo TeraStation (Legacy)

  Note: For TeraStation 5010/3010/3020/6000 series or later, please refer to this article.

Important Notice to Customers Using the WebAccess i HD and/or SmartPhone Navigator Apps
 

WebAccess is a feature of many Buffalo devices that allows you to create a personal cloud for easy remote access and file sharing with anyone, anywhere over the Internet. Your data remains securely stored in one place on your home or small office network, but you can access it quickly from any computer or mobile device over the web.

Almost all home or small business networks employ a firewall of some kind to separate computers and other devices on the local network from the Internet. This is necessary to help prevent unwanted users from accessing private user systems, which could result in user data loss or corrupted devices.

In order to enable WebAccess on a TeraStation, it is necessary to allow limited communication from the Internet through the firewall to the TeraStation. This is done by opening a port (a kind of virtual door) on the firewall for this specific service. The "door" will have a specific label known as a "port number" on the outside, or Internet side, and a different label (port number) on the inside (internal network side). The device that contains the firewall, usually a wireless router or ISP (Internet Service Provider) supplied modem/gateway will need to have specific instructions on how to handle this virtual door. Those instructions are called "port forwarding".

Essentially it says "when internet traffic/requests come in directed to this specific port number then forward that traffic to this internal IP address on this specific port number". This enables WebAccess traffic to pass through the firewall without exposing the entire TeraStation to the internet at large. For this reason any device with WebAccess enabled should have strong, secure passwords set for all users!

Note: WebAccess also cannot be used if your ISP uses Carrier Grade NAT (CGNAT) which does not provide a real public IP-address. Contact your ISP about this.

For more information on setting up port forwarding on a Buffalo AirStation, see here.

 

1. 1. Open the user interface for the TeraStation. Click on the configuration icon next to WebAccess.
   
2. Click Edit to configure the options.
   

   Note: Buffalonas.com is a DNS service provided by Buffalo. If you wish to use another DNS service select the option to disable buffalonas.com registration.

   To determine what external ports are available in your environment, contact your internet service provider (ISP). You will need to configure port forwarding on your router in order to use WebAccess. Please see the user's manual for your router for instructions on setting up port forwarding. If you have a Buffalo router you may be able enable the UPnP (Universal Plug and Play) setting to automatically configure port forwarding. For more information on setting up port forwarding on a Buffalo AirStation, see here.

   It is recommended to use a static IP address on the TeraStation when using WebAccess to prevent loss of access due to a change in the IP address of the TeraStation. For instructions on setting a static IP address on a TeraStation see here.

3. In this dialog box you have the option to register a name with BuffaloNAS.com to access your TeraStation or you can use a different DNS provider. You can also determine which external and internal TCP ports will be used by the WebAccess service and whether multiple sessions will be allowed. With some routers you may be able to configure the ports using the UPnP (Universal Plug and Play) feature of the router. This feature is not implemented identically in all router brands so it may or may not work. If it does not work you will need to configure the ports and port forwarding manually. Once all the settings are correct click OK.
   
4. If the following notification appears, click OK.
   
5. 5. On the main page of the interface click the virtual slide switch to enable WebAccess.
   

 

WebAccess should now be enabled. To test access go to BuffaloNAS.com from a computer outside your network and enter the name you assigned. You should be taken to the WebAccess interface for your TeraStation. If this does not work the most likely cause will be either incorrect port forwarding settings in the router OR you are attempting to use an external port that is blocked by the ISP.