Accessing Services Externally...Confused...

Question

As far as my implementation, learning and setup of OS X Server is concerned it is proceeding well though I continue to be confused about accessing OS X Server’s services from “the outside” (i.e. external to the local network).
On this point consider the different methods of accessing the File Sharing Service:
1. Assumptions
a. Server name = server.macserver.com
b. Server internal IP address = 192.168.5.100
c. Internet public IP address = 99.98.97.96
d. File sharing ports opened = 139, 548
e. “A” record has been setup for server.macserver.com which has been pointed to 99.98.97.96
2. VPN as follows
a. VPN into the server [assume this service is configured and working]
b. Start screen sharing [assume this is configured and working]
c. Open finder
d. Move / manage files
Is this correct?
3. FTP as follows:
a. Open a browser
b. FTP into the server (i.e. ftp://server.macserver.com)
c. FTP file sharing window will open
d. Move / manage files
Do I need to setup a separate “A” record for the FTP protocol noting that I don’t think that I do because I am still pointing / using server.macserver.com?
Is my understanding correct that ftp:// will automatically know / point the request to the ports 139, 548 and open the “FTP file sharing window”?
4. HTTP / HTTPS
Can I access file sharing via HTTP / HTTPS?
Can I for example open a browser and https into file sharing by entering https://server.macserver.com:139:548 and, if not, then why not? The thinking / understanding I have is that https:// will create / ask for credentials and the 139:548 will direct the request to the file sharing services?
Can I for example open a browser and https into file sharing by entering https://filesharing.macserver.com where I would crate a new A record for filesharing.macserver.com that would point to 99.98.97.96 and, if not, then why not? The thinking / understanding I have is that https:// will create / ask for credentials and somehow [though I am unclear on this and would appreciate an explanation as to how to do this] filesharing.macserver.com would point to ports 139:548?
With much thanks in advance,
Joel

Answer 1

jonasmn wrote:
Hi,
I am not an expert in this, but I have gotten "some" of the services to function from the outside.  I can recommend the book "OS X Server Essentials 10.9" for a full description about setting up the Mavericks Server.
Appreciate the recommendation and in point of fact I have that book and have been reading it.
That is though not explaining everything. Other reflections:
You will need to open more ports for the SMB (tcp ports 137-139 and 445 and maybe also tcp 389 and tcp 901), WebDAV (port 80) and FTP (port 20 and 21) to work. But specially ports 137-139 and 445 are often blocked by the ISP so you will most likely have to use other ports and then do port mapping in your router.
I am not sure that you can use WebDAV directly from within your browser and the the file structure without first activating that function in the web-service for that particular home page that you are using. You will have to check that. I prefer checking connections from the outside with my iPhone/iPad since iOS offers good apps for doing different checks. When it comes to WebDAV you can use for instance Pages or Numbers for iOS and also the app AirPrint which offers a WebDAV connection and I also think that GoodReader does the same.
Por port checking you can use the iOS app iNetTools (Pro).
Concerning ftp through the web browser I am not sure, but first of all check with simpler connections like a FTP-client or use the iOS apps mentioned above (AirPrint or GoodReader).
This is not helping you with all your questions but I hope that it can guide you a bit further.
Regards
Jonas Möller Nielsen
Sweden
Appreciate the thoughts and your sharing of them...I hope that someone else can chime in to fully answer this question for both of us failing which I will connect with Apple support and then update this post.
Thanks,
Joel