iPad FileBrowser Pro - Connect to SMB

[chrism_scotland]

I use FileBrowser Pro largely as it seems more reliable than the in-built “Files” App and it lets me more easily connect to external services.

I also use it to connect to my local NAS drive via an SMB2 connection; I have my Username/Password saved to allow it to connect but every time I try and browse to that NAS when in another app (for example Outlook) it makes me go back into FileBrowser and “authenticate” - is there anyway I can just have this auto-login / connect to a service / drive?

 

[sparksd]

I don't believe so. The FB guys said at one time why this was necessary (iOS restriction??), but I don't recall the reason.

 

[sparksd]

I use FileBrowser Pro largely as it seems more reliable than the in-built “Files” App and it lets me more easily connect to external services.

I also use it to connect to my local NAS drive via an SMB2 connection; I have my Username/Password saved to allow it to connect but every time I try and browse to that NAS when in another app (for example Outlook) it makes me go back into FileBrowser and “authenticate” - is there anyway I can just have this auto-login / connect to a service / drive?

I put the question to Stratospherix Support - I'll post back their response.

 

[sparksd]

I use FileBrowser Pro largely as it seems more reliable than the in-built “Files” App and it lets me more easily connect to external services.

I also use it to connect to my local NAS drive via an SMB2 connection; I have my Username/Password saved to allow it to connect but every time I try and browse to that NAS when in another app (for example Outlook) it makes me go back into FileBrowser and “authenticate” - is there anyway I can just have this auto-login / connect to a service / drive?

From Stratospherix:

Thank you for your email. It sounds like you are referring to the iOS Files App integration within FileBrowser Pro. Could you please go to FB Pro's “Config->Admin Settings->Feature Switches" page and check that “Allow Picker Direct Access” is enabled, as otherwise all network traffic is routed through FB Pro.

If your SMB server connection settings in FB Pro are set to require Face/Touch ID, then direct access isn’t possible, as the user must authenticate in the host app in order for the Files App to be able to gain access. Switching off Face ID for this connection would allow the Files App access without intervention by FB Pro.

 

[chrism_scotland]

From Stratospherix:

Thank you for your email. It sounds like you are referring to the iOS Files App integration within FileBrowser Pro. Could you please go to FB Pro's “Config->Admin Settings->Feature Switches" page and check that “Allow Picker Direct Access” is enabled, as otherwise all network traffic is routed through FB Pro.

If your SMB server connection settings in FB Pro are set to require Face/Touch ID, then direct access isn’t possible, as the user must authenticate in the host app in order for the Files App to be able to gain access. Switching off Face ID for this connection would allow the Files App access without intervention by FB Pro.

Many thanks that's fixed it for me!

 

[nothingtoseehere]

Many thanks that's fixed it for me!

That's great! I also can recommend FileBrowser Pro; it allows me to access, via VPN, the (Windows) server in the office from the iPad (Pro).

 

[sparksd]

That's great! I also can recommend FileBrowser Pro; it allows me to access, via VPN, the (Windows) server in the office from the iPad (Pro).

Their support is outstanding - they replied to my email query in 7 minutes! This matches previous experience with them - they're a great development org (quite small, too - 4 people, I believe).

 

[DeepIn2U]

That's great! I also can recommend FileBrowser Pro; it allows me to access, via VPN, the (Windows) server in the office from the iPad (Pro).

I’m curious where are you putting the domain along with domain/username and login credentials?

 

[nothingtoseehere]

I’m curious where are you putting the domain along with domain/username and login credentials?

well that has been done by our IT support team

Before the FileBrowser Pro comes into play, there is an OpenVPN connection to be established. This is the first step of login credentials. When starting FileBrowser Pro, there is the IP address of the server to connect to. At this second step, FileBrowser again asks for credentials (I could save them but don't do it for security reasons).

 

[DeepIn2U]

well that has been done by our IT support team

Before the FileBrowser Pro comes into play, there is an OpenVPN connection to be established. This is the first step of login credentials. When starting FileBrowser Pro, there is the IP address of the server to connect to. At this second step, FileBrowser again asks for credentials (I could save them but don't do it for security reasons).

I have & support vpn connections for where I work. I’m not asking nor want to know, nor of course should you provide your credentials, I’m just curious in your settings, where the prompt for credentials would be set, not the pop-up, where would domain would be set? Not the domain itself just curious where.
at the company I work for even on vpn, do an is required for authentication (domain\username), unless on a laptop joined to domain that has a valid user certificate

it’s cool & thx.

 

[nothingtoseehere]

I have & support vpn connections for where I work. I’m not asking nor want to know, nor of course should you provide your credentials, I’m just curious in your settings, where the prompt for credentials would be set, not the pop-up, where would domain would be set? Not the domain itself just curious where.
at the company I work for even on vpn, do an is required for authentication (domain\username), unless on a laptop joined to domain that has a valid user certificate

it’s cool & thx.

ok it has been a long time ago that this connection was established... I'll have a look. But I am not a technician.

Firstly, the VPN connection has to be established with openVPN. Already there I get connected to the server address that is 192.168.#.#

Then, FileBrowser Pro. One of the options to browse there is the mentioned 192.168.#.#; that had been established with "new connection" (the plus sign), and connect to computer/network, and so on.
In the settings of this location, one can adjust whether username and password has to be asked each time or not.
In the advanced settings, some SMB related things are dealt with:
SMB Pipelining on
SMB port number is set
SMB Version: automatically

I am not sure if this is what you were interested in?

When we worked on setting up the VPN, there was some tinkering around until the settings that worked had been found (our company being a Windows environment).