LinShare: Secure Open-Source File Sharing and Cloud Storage Solution

LinShare is an open-source file-sharing and cloud storage platform developed by Linagora. Designed to provide organizations with a secure, private, and GDPR-compliant solution, LinShare serves as an attractive alternative to mainstream cloud storage services like Google Drive.

What is LinShare?

LinShare is a platform that enables users to store, share, and collaborate on files securely. It is particularly suitable for organizations that require a high level of data protection and compliance with European data protection regulations. LinShare is trusted by several governmental bodies, including the European Parliament and the French Ministry of Economy and Finance.

Key Features

• Secure File Sharing: LinShare allows users to share files securely with colleagues, partners, or clients. It offers features such as password protection for shared files, email notifications upon file download, and detailed activity logs.
• Collaboration: Users can create workgroups to facilitate project collaboration. LinShare supports document editing and is working on integrating OnlyOffice for more seamless document management.
• Cross-Platform Availability: LinShare is accessible via web browsers and mobile apps for Android and iOS. A desktop app is in development, expanding the platform's accessibility.
• Upload Requests: The platform supports upload requests, allowing external users to upload files to a specific project without needing a LinShare account.
• Open-Source: As an open-source platform, LinShare’s source code is available on GitHub, allowing users to review and customize the software to meet their specific needs.

Deployment Process

Deploying LinShare can be done via Docker, making the process straightforward and scalable. Below is a simplified guide to deploying LinShare using Docker:

Prerequisites

Ensure that Docker and Docker Compose are installed on your system. You can install Docker with the following command:

$ curl -sSL https://get.docker.com | sh

For Docker Compose, you can follow the official installation guide.

Deployment Steps

1. Clone the LinShare Repository:

   ```bash
   $ git clone https://github.com/linagora/linshare-docker.git
   $ cd linshare-docker
   ```

2. Start the LinShare Containers:

   Use Docker Compose to start the containers:

   ```bash
   $ docker-compose up -d
   ```

   This command will start multiple containers, including:

   • Tomcat with the LinShare server
   • PostgreSQL and MongoDB databases
   • Apache2 for the LinShare interfaces
   • ClamAV for virus scanning
   • LDAP directory for user management

3. Configure the Hosts File:

   Add the following entries to your /etc/hosts file to access the LinShare interfaces:

   ```plaintext
   127.0.0.1 admin.linshare.local user.linshare.local linshare.local traefik.linshare.local
   ```

4. Access the LinShare Admin Interface:

   Once the containers are running, access the admin interface by navigating to `https://admin.linshare.local`. Use the default credentials:

   • Username: `[email protected]`
   • Password: `adminlinshare`

   From here, you can configure domains, LDAP connections, and other administrative settings.

5. Monitoring and Logs:

   To check the status of the containers, use:

   ```bash
   $ docker-compose ps
   ```

   To view logs:

   ```bash
   $ docker-compose logs
   ```

6. Stopping and Cleaning Up:

   To stop the containers:

   ```bash
   $ docker-compose stop
   ```

   To remove containers and clean up:

   ```bash
   $ docker-compose down
   ```

   If you want to reset all modifications:

   $ sudo rm -rf data
   

Advanced Configuration

LinShare’s Docker setup is highly configurable, allowing for customizations such as connecting to external LDAP directories, adjusting database settings, and modifying the Apache configurations to fit specific needs.

Conclusion

LinShare is a robust solution for organizations seeking secure and private file sharing and storage. With its open-source nature, comprehensive feature set, and straightforward deployment process, LinShare offers a compelling alternative to proprietary cloud services, giving users full control over their data and infrastructure.

For more details and documentation, visit the LinShare GitHub repository or the official LinShare website.