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KB ID: 1126

Why can't I set file-level permissions on my TeraStation?

Last Updated: 10/15/2024

NOTE: This article does not apply to 3010 or 5010 series TeraStations. These units do allow NTFS style permisstions at a subfolder level.

 

We have a number of customers who want to be able to assign file and/or folder level permissions on a TeraStation share the same way they would on a Windows share. The reason this is not possible is because those permissions are stored in the master file table (MFT) as part of the NTFS file system. NTFS is a file system developed by Microsoft for use with Windows NT based operating systems.

All TeraStations run an operating system based on a Linux kernel and use the XFS file system. Windows compatible SMB network shares are created using Samba. This setup is not compatible with NTFS permissions.

Permissions for TeraStation are set at the share level and can be assigned to users or groups. You can assign either a user or a group either read-only or read/write access to a share. If no permissions are set for a share full access is assumed.

If desired the TeraStation can be integrated into an Active Directory domain and share-level permissions assigned to domain users or groups.

If you wish to store data on a TeraStation and must have the ability to set NTFS permissions on folders and/or files we recommend that you use the iSCSI feature of the TeraStation. By creating an iSCSI volume and attaching it to a Windows host you allow Windows to create and utilize an NTFS volume but keep the actual data stored on the TeraStation.

See below for assistance in configuring iSCSI:

Creating an iSCSI target on a Buffalo TeraStation

Configuring the iSCSI Initiator in Windows Server 2008

Configuring the iSCSI Initiator in Windows Server 2012