Two Computers, networked via the internet

[mikeh501]

dropbox for file sync
logmein for remote desktop.

[paulrockliffe]

Pigeon said:

Petrolhead_Rich said:

Mr_S said:

jamoor said:

Powerline networking?

http://www.homeplug.org/home/

are both PCs on the same mains supply?

Best solution - but both need to be on the same ringmain, usually each floor would have a separate ringmain so these do not connect!

Both need to be on the same phase. The signal can pass from one ring main to another by going all the way back to the distribution board, as long as they are on the same phase.

I don't know whether the OP is talking about domestic or commercial premises. If domestic, chances of different floors being supplied from different phases are as near zero as makes no difference. If commercial, need to check.

Cheers, it is commercial premises, separated by two floors. any ideas how I check if they're on the same phase or not? Sounds complicated!

[strudel]

paulrockliffe said:

The amount of pissing about is not inconsiderable, one computer is in a room with no windows and would require a 100m run of ethernet cable through a complicated maze of corridors, or outside and then back in. I'd estimate I'd need to set aside most of a day to getting it all done neatly, I don't have the time at the moment, hence my requirement for an inelegant short-term solution.

Dragging a cable along the floor is usually the easiest inelegant short-term solution!

[paulrockliffe]

strudel said:

paulrockliffe said:

The amount of pissing about is not inconsiderable, one computer is in a room with no windows and would require a 100m run of ethernet cable through a complicated maze of corridors, or outside and then back in. I'd estimate I'd need to set aside most of a day to getting it all done neatly, I don't have the time at the moment, hence my requirement for an inelegant short-term solution.

Dragging a cable along the floor is usually the easiest inelegant short-term solution!

It doesn't work because of the number of doors that then coldn't be locked and that it would need to go through parts of a public building.

[strudel]

What's the direct point to point distance through walls?

[Dave_ST220]

Or external run??

[paulrockliffe]

Like I said, I'm going to do an external run eventually, but I don't have time right now and want something that will work in the short-term.

[Petrolhead_Rich]

tankplanker said:

Petrolhead_Rich said:

NO NO NO NO NO

Opens your applications/ports up to the entire internet, Id give it 30 minutes before your network becomes a botnet sending viagra offers to everyone!!!

edit - @tankplanker - Im guessing the OP wont have the knowledge to setup SSL FTP/HTTP so will just setup an FTP site using some free ftp software, hence my NO NO NO NO NO

Edited by Petrolhead_Rich on Wednesday 4th August 22:27

I like how you recommend a VPN solution which also requires the use of open ports, its not like there aren't exploits for VPN software out there.

Ports are not always open, they are tunnelled using software, also there are less exploits for VPN ports/protocols than FTP/HTTP/any random port for a piece of software.

Also ports would be opened on routers, making them available for port scans.

Its a bit like leaving your front door open to move next door, instead of using the back doors and joined gardens, people will notice the open ports.

to know your using software VPN they would have to packet sniff the data packets!

[ZesPak]

As others have said, take a look at teamviewer/logmein for the time being, I'd recommend teamviewer.

That said, get the cable there asap.

Also, if you can use the lan over the power lines (pc's being on the same phase), it's like pulling a cable, so it'll be impossible to keep both internet connections (or you'll need extra hardware).

If all else fails, I'll recommend Sneakernet

Edited by ZesPak on Monday 16th August 15:09

[Petrolhead_Rich]

paulrockliffe said:

Cheers, it is commercial premises, separated by two floors. any ideas how I check if they're on the same phaseRing Main or not? Sounds complicated!

Simple answer is: It wont be, rings are wired in by an electrician, either round a room, or a floor, very very rarely will it incorporate multiple floors.

Way to check?
Plug in adaptors
Trace wiring through walls etc!

P.S. its a ring main, not a phase, totally separate things, ring mains are physical cable runs, phases are to do with the actual supply of electricity:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ring_main
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Three-phase_electric_...

[mikeh501]

Petrolhead_Rich said:

paulrockliffe said:

Cheers, it is commercial premises, separated by two floors. any ideas how I check if they're on the same phaseRing Main or not? Sounds complicated!

Simple answer is: It wont be, rings are wired in by an electrician, either round a room, or a floor, very very rarely will it incorporate multiple floors.

Way to check?
Plug in adaptors
Trace wiring through walls etc!

P.S. its a ring main, not a phase, totally separate things, ring mains are physical cable runs, phases are to do with the actual supply of electricity:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ring_main
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Three-phase_electric_...

actually homeplugs (powerline networks) will work across multiple ring mains so long as they come out of the same consumer unit. I know a chap who actually has it working from his house to his shed which has a seperate consumer unit too.

[TonyRPH]

I very much doubt if powerline networking will work in a commercial office building, due to the large amount of noise present on the mains, if not the distance* involved.

• By distance I mean the tortuous route that any mains cabling is likely to follow - and the length of this cabling.

What make(s) of router are in use.

Is a site to site VPN connection not a plausible option?

Are these computers Windows XP or Windows Server 2003?

I've never tried it - but is an IPSEC VPN possible between two XP boxes?

Or even if at least one router has IPSEC VPN capability, it may be possible to connect an XP box to that?

See this guide.

Edited by TonyRPH on Monday 16th August 16:55