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Cloud Hosting Product Information

Overview

FileWave Cloud Hosting moves FileWave Server operation from your infrastructure to FileWave. When comparing hosting with a self-managed Server, include the work of maintaining backups, applying updates, protecting power and hardware, and planning recovery—not just the cost of the server.

FileWave Cloud Hosting provides managed Server backups, Server upgrades, and SSL certificate management for FileWave-provided domains. You can continue to use FileWave Central and FileWave Anywhere. If you use your own domain name, arrange certificate renewal separately or follow SSL Certificate Management for Custom Domains to delegate it to FileWave.

Benefits of Hosted

Key hosting benefits are listed below. The attached Cloud Hosting Current Customers.pdf is an older overview: its statement that a Booster is required has been superseded by the optional-Booster guidance below, and custom-domain certificate management now has the setup option linked above.

  • Backups: No need to handle routine backups.
  • Server Upgrades: Managed by FileWave.
  • Recovery: FileWave manages hosted-server backup and restore operations. If a restore is needed, contact Technical Support; see Backup Procedures for FileWave Hosted Servers for coverage and retention.
  • Support Cases: Streamlined as access can be easily granted to support or development for issue diagnosis and resolution.

Differences from On-Premise

When transitioning to our Hosted service, there are a few differences to consider:

  • FileWave Client IP Addresses - The FileWave server records the IP address the client is using to connect to the FileWave server. When clients are behind a router or firewall, the clients will only report their public (NAT) address to the FileWave server. This will not cause any issues with deployment or management of the clients.
  • Fileset Uploads - Administrators should be aware that there is no “resume” feature for large Fileset uploads. If an upload fails, the incomplete Fileset will need to be deleted and the upload can be attempted again.
  • Boosters - Boosters are optional for FileWave-hosted customers, but they are often recommended when you manage Windows or macOS systems. A Booster can cache Filesets and application installers closer to clients, reduce WAN traffic to the hosted server, and improve deployment performance. For Windows devices, Boosters can also cache Microsoft OS updates and patches. If clients will be outside a LAN environment and you choose to use Boosters, plan for an Internet-facing Booster; a common sizing target is one Linux Booster per 2,000 systems. For Apple OS updates and upgrades on macOS, iOS, iPadOS, and tvOS, use Apple Content Caching instead.

Why Choose FileWave Cloud Hosting Over Self-Hosting?

While it might seem cheaper to run FileWave on a spare server, consider the hidden costs:

  • Backups: Will you consistently perform and verify backups?
  • Power Protection: Does your server have a UPS to prevent data corruption during power failures?
  • Security: Are you regularly patching the OS for security updates?
  • Hardware Lifecycle: When the server reaches end-of-life, are you prepared to migrate to a new machine without additional costs?
  • Disaster Recovery: If the server’s hard disk fails, can you quickly restore service?

FileWave manages the hosted Server, while your team continues to manage device deployments and customer-managed components. After a Server upgrade, use the hosted post-upgrade checklist to review FileWave Central, Boosters, Imaging Virtual Servers, clients, Kiosk, and enrollment packages. Hosting does not remove these follow-up tasks.

Pricing

Please contact Customer Success for a quote. There is a one-time charge for the FileWave Server Migration and an annual charge based on the number of devices. The pricing is comparable to going directly to Amazon for their hosting.

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