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Introduction

SkySync is an Enterprise Content and Data Integration platform capable of managing file/data transfer and synchronize operations across a myriad of different storage management platforms at scale. It offers significant business flexibility around all aspects of Enterprise Content and Data Integration including:

• Large-scale file migration

• Enterprise file analysis

• Classification, compliance, and actions/outcome management

• Multi-system hybrid/sync

Solution Architecture

The SkySync platform is built on a pluggable, content–streaming architecture that enables highly–automated file/data transfer and synchronization capabilities for up to billions of files. File bytes stream in from one connection endpoint (defined by the administrator), across a customer owned and operated network and/or cloud service, and then stream out to a second connection endpoint. Content can also flow bidirectionally across two endpoints rather than solely from a "source" to a "destination."

SkySync is a "security–neutral" model, fully utilizing your existing infrastructure and security schema. Content and data bytes only exist in SkySync memory in chunks, which are immediately streamed from one endpoint (through SkySync) and out to another endpoint. Both incoming and outgoing bytes are transferred using the most secure protocol available for each connector. For example, SkySync will use SSL or TLS encryption along with OAuth (token–based) authorization for most cloud service connectors.

SkySync Platform Components

SkySync Server

The server component of SkySync runs as a background service on at least one server. The SkySync service can also be deployed on multiple server nodes in a cluster.

Database Server

SkySync utilizes an embedded PostgreSQL database as part of its standard installation process. Additional options include Microsoft SQL Server or hosted PostgreSQL. SkySync requires network connectivity with the database to function properly in all cases.

SkySync Connectors

SkySync's Platform Connectors provide storage endpoint integration. Each storage connector has been carefully developed to implement all of the available security features via its native API. The connectors themselves can be deployed to execute in the context of the primary SkySync Server or in the context of one or more SkySync Remote Sites depending on the deployment model selected.

SkySync stores connection information such as the authenticated security token, URL, and UNC, and in some cases such as network file–shares, the user name and password are encrypted within the database. SkySync Connectors utilize all the default ports based on the platform's required communication protocol.

Security White Paper

SkySync Platform | Security Whitepaper

System Locale

Region Settings must be set to English (United States).

1. Go to Control Panel > Clock and Region.

2. Select Region > Administrative tab.

3. Select Change system locale.

4. Set current system local to "English (United States)"

SkySync Processing Servers (1 - 10 per server farm)

• CPU cores: 8

• RAM: 32GB (minimum)

• OS disk: 500GB (minimum)

• OS: Windows Server 2016 or higher

If using a cloud server, the following templates are recommended: 

• AWS: m4.2xlarge 

• Azure: D8S_V3 
  

SQL Server Database Server (1 server per farm or availability group)

• CPU cores: 16

• RAM: 64GB (minimum)

• OS_Vol: 100GB+ SSD – redundant/fault tolerant

• OS: Windows Server 2016 or higher

• Data_Vol1: 1TB premium SSD

• Data_Vol2: 1TB premium SSD (optional)

• Software/templates: SQL Server 2016 SP1 (or higher) enterprise

If using a cloud server, the following templates are recommended: 

• AWS: m4.2xlarge 

• Azure: D8S_V3 

Supported Operating Systems

Server/Manager and Remote Sites

• Windows Server 2019

• Windows Server 2016

Supported Databases

Server/Manager and Remote Sites

• Embedded PostgreSQL 10.10-2+

  • If you are using a PostgreSQL database, it must be configured to use English for messages.

• SQL Server 2016 SP1 or higher

  • SkySync Platform | Scalability and Performance Whitepaper -> Database Planning and Tuning Concepts should be implemented; this includes noting the database name, instance and port number for SQL access if different than defaults.

Browser Support

Supported: Google Chrome
Unsupported: Mozilla Firefox, Microsoft Edge, Microsoft Internet Explorer, and Safari

Communication Ports

• Refer to SkySync Platform | Infrastructure & Hardware Considerations

• Ensure your Windows firewall is disabled on your VM 

• Port 9090: Bi-directional communication with the SkySync server

• Port 1433: Communication with SQL Server

• api.portalarchitects.com for SkySync License Acquisition

• API Ports for Cloud Storage Platforms

Application Services/Processes

• Skysync.exe

Administrator Password Requirements

Passwords must meet the following requirements: 

• At least 8 characters

• No more than 64 characters

• At least one uppercase letter (A-Z)

• At least one digit (0-9)

• At least one non-alphanumeric character (!@#$%)

• Cannot contain the username

Languages

SkySync Platform Application

• English

Foreign Language

SkySync is a North American Language-based software solution that supports Unicode; however, it is neither localized or internationalized. In order to support our international customer base, we recognize that support for non-English language is required. As such, we have made significant investments in developing a solution that accepts and migrates a vast majority of data for most languages. While we continue to make added investments to ensure our solution will enable the migration of non-English language files and folders, it cannot account for all idiosyncrasies/caveats.

Other Recommendations

SkySync strongly recommends leveraging the following tools:

• Postman API Tool

• JSON View for Chrome Browser

• Notepad++

• Fiddler

• Windows PowerShell 5.0 or later

• Node.js version 14 (Node.js 12 is the lowest version SkySync supports.)

Firewall

• If a firewall is used, port 9090 is required to be opened to the primary SkySync server for communications to be enabled for the engine.

• From the SkySync server, access to the source/destination locations should be opened for normal traffic, including http and https.

• For best results for data migrations that reside on premise, SkySync servers should be installed or co-located in the same data center to reduce latency of source data access.

SkySync Service Account

These are the general account best practices when running a SkySync Platform clustered install.

• Create a service account (SkySync User) whose password does not expire.

• Ensure you have an Admin/Power User account who has full access to both sides (Source and Destination).

• Ensure you are able to get to api.portalarchitects.com from the server.

• For Office 365/OneDrive for Business and Box, all users have to be provisioned.

• For Office 365/OneDrive for Business, the SkySync Transfer account(s) have to be added to Site Collection Administrator of each and every user. 

Proxy Server

SkySync supports proxy server environments and utilizes the proxy settings from the underlying host Operating System; however, additional prerequisites may be necessary for a fully functional implementation. Note that proxy servers may introduce some latency in the transfer process. If a proxy is utilized, ensure that the SkySync servers have the manual proxy setup configured correctly. Proxy server environments add a layer of complexity and additional management that may impact troubleshooting, rate limiting, and overall performance.

1. Log in to SkySync server(s) with the SkySync Service Account.

2. Go to Windows Settings > Proxy Settings. 

3. Enable the "Use a proxy server..." setting.

4. Update the Address and Port with the applicable proxy values.

5. Select Save. 

Review Database Options

Determine which database you will use:

Initial Install

Verify Installer Properties

In some instances, Windows will flag an executable as "untrusted" and block it. If this happens with the SkySync installer, there will be issues with the installation or upgrade. Therefore, before you begin, review the installer properties to verify the correct settings.

1. Right-click on the installer and select Properties.

2. You need to verify the settings below.

   1. Read-only should not be selected.

   2. Hidden should not be selected.

   3. Unblock should be selected.
      

      

3. Click Apply to apply the changes.

4. Click OK.  

Run as Administrator

To install a new instance of SkySync, follow the steps below.

1. Place the installer in a folder on the computer's hard drive (i.e. C:\SkySync), then right-click and select Run as administrator.
   

   

2. If prompted, allow the installer to make changes to your computer.

3. Select Next on the Welcome screen.
   

   

   
   

Installation Directory

Specify Installation and Configuration directories. This can be any local path, but we recommend the following default settings.

Configure Windows Service

Configure which Windows user will run the SkySync service.

• The installer defaults to a user named "skysync" with a randomly-generated password. If you plan to re-use this account, we recommend entering your own password.

• If you already have an account to run the SkySync service, you may enter that here.
  

  

• If the entered user does not exist, it will be created as a local Windows account. (Refer to the Question screenshot below.) Select Yes to create the user.
  

  

Begin Installation

Select Next to begin installation.

Once complete, leave Launch SkySync selected and select Finish.

Welcome to SkySync Configuration Wizard

A new browser window will launch with the configuration wizard. If your browser doesn't immediately load to this screen, the SkySync service might still be starting. Your browser will continue to check until the website is started. Select Get Started.

Select Continue on the following screen.

Configure Your Database

Here, you can begin building your desired database.

• For ease of use, the Use default database option uses an embedded version of PostgreSQL.

• If you select Use a different database, you will have the option to either create your own PostgreSQL instance or deploy to SQL Server.

Use Default Database | Embedded PostgreSQL 

If you select to use the default PostgreSQL database, select Create Database to continue.

Use a Different Database | Microsoft SQL Server

If you select to use a different database, the configuration wizard will ask you to select a database provider. Select Microsoft SQL Server from the list.

After selecting a database provider, you will be prompted for connection details.

1. Add the Server name and Database name and select the Authentication.

2. Select Test Connection when complete to validate your configuration.

   1. You will see a “Connection Successful” message if the database is detected.

   2. If the database is not detected, a warning message will display to indicate that it will be created.
      

      

Use a Different Database | Microsoft SQL Server| Use Specific Credentials (Optional)

If you select Use specific credential under Authentication, you will see two additional fields: User name and Password. This allows you to enter the credential required to connect to the database.

Configure your Database | Summary

The information provided for your selected database displays. Review it to ensure it is correct. Select Create database to continue.

Use a Different Database | Hosted PostgreSQL 

If you do not use the default database, the configuration wizard will ask you to select a database provider. Select PostgreSQL from the list.

Select Hosted and enter the database information. Make sure you test the connection.

Optional Database Connection | Enter Manual Connection String

SkySync supports SQL Server and PostgreSQL databases. For complex database scenarios, SkySync allows you to supply the connection string with the applicable options and format necessary for your database environment. However, these connection strings can be modified with additional platform parameters and values. 

SQL Server Connection Strings

PostgreSQL Connection Strings

Validate Your License

After configuring your database, SkySync will ask you for your license key. Your SkySync license will be provided to you after purchase. It should look something like this: 01234567-0123-0123-0123-0123456789ab.

Select Get started.

Enter your license key and select Activate. (this button is disabled until you enter a license.) You will see a green “License Activated” message indicating the license was activated successfully. Congratulations! You've now successfully licensed SkySync.

Select Next to continue.

Validate Your License | Troubleshooting

If something goes wrong, an error message will be displayed in a box below the Activate button.

Verify your license key was entered correctly and try to activate again.

Common causes of failure include:

• Firewalls blocking port 443 for https

• Firewalls blocking access to https://api.portalarchitects.com which is the address of our license server

• SkySync not properly set up to use the corporate proxy server

  • SkySync uses the default proxy server specified for the user account under which it is executing

  • Ensure the proxy server is configured appropriately

• Additional spaces or characters added accidentally with copy/paste of the license

Validate Your License | Accept End-User License Agreement

Select Next and then Create Database. A loading screen will appear stating that your database is being configured. Once complete, you will be asked to restart SkySync.

Create an Administrator Account

Create your first SkySync global admin account now. This user is granted all permissions by default. You can add more users later and set up different permissions, groups, and functionality.

Select Get started.

Create your administrator user for SkySync. By default, this user has access to everything in the application.

• Username and Password are the only required fields.

• Username must be 4-255 characters.

• Passwords must meet the following requirements: 

  • At least 8 characters

  • At least one uppercase letter (A-Z)

  • At least one digit (0-9)

  • At least one non-alphanumeric character (!@#$%)

  • Cannot contain the username

When complete, click Next and review the settings on the following page.

If you are satisfied with your credentials, click Create.

You will then be prompted to "Restart and launch." The restart and launch may take a few seconds to process. No loading icon is present during this time, but the browser will reload once the restart is complete.

Log in with your Administrator credentials and begin using SkySync!

Upgrade

The new installer also helps facilitate product updates. Follow the steps below to complete the upgrade process.

1. Stop the SkySync service on all machines in your cluster.
   

   

2. Place the installer in a folder on the computer's hard drive (i.e. C:\SkySync). Then, right-click and select Run as administrator.

3. Click Next to begin upgrading SkySync's program files.

4. If any database updates are required, your browser will display a "We need to update" screen. Follow the prompts to update the database.
   

   

5. Once complete, select Finish, and SkySync will launch.