best way to link 2 PCs over the internet
Discussion
Say I want to copy files from one PC to another PC that are 100 miles apart.. what's the best way to do it? Way too much data to fit onto my USB key, and will need to do it fairly frequently so would rather not burn CDs all the time and physically transport them.
Is there a fairly simple VPN, IP tunnelling, FTP hosting or even remote desktop type answer to this? Potential problem is that both PCs have dynamic IP addresses. Being in 2 places at the same time is not an issue, can get the redhead to operate the remote PC (hence the requirement for it being fairly simple). Oh it needs to get through ZoneAlarm at both ends....
thanks
Is there a fairly simple VPN, IP tunnelling, FTP hosting or even remote desktop type answer to this? Potential problem is that both PCs have dynamic IP addresses. Being in 2 places at the same time is not an issue, can get the redhead to operate the remote PC (hence the requirement for it being fairly simple). Oh it needs to get through ZoneAlarm at both ends....
thanks
You have a whole plethora of options here munky! I'm assuming you just want to copy files as you state, not perform any sophisticated synchronisation.
1. FTP Server.
Use the free FileZilla server and client and install the server on one machine and the client on the other. Just send/receive files through FTP. Opening the ports in ZoneAlarm is simple.
2. Remote Access Tool
Use Radmin 3.0 (about £30) or UltraVNC (free), either of which will allow files to be copied quickly from one machine to another. As a user of both applications I would recommend Radmin as easier to install and setup.
3. Site-to-site VPN (Router-based)
Assuming your routers at both sites are compatible with each other and support it you could simply enable site-to-site VPN and copy files through that.
Of the above, I'd got for option 2 as a nice balance of security, ease of use and cost, and of course it has the benefit of giving you remote access to your PC too.
Hope this helps,
roadie.
1. FTP Server.
Use the free FileZilla server and client and install the server on one machine and the client on the other. Just send/receive files through FTP. Opening the ports in ZoneAlarm is simple.
2. Remote Access Tool
Use Radmin 3.0 (about £30) or UltraVNC (free), either of which will allow files to be copied quickly from one machine to another. As a user of both applications I would recommend Radmin as easier to install and setup.
3. Site-to-site VPN (Router-based)
Assuming your routers at both sites are compatible with each other and support it you could simply enable site-to-site VPN and copy files through that.
Of the above, I'd got for option 2 as a nice balance of security, ease of use and cost, and of course it has the benefit of giving you remote access to your PC too.
Hope this helps,
roadie.
Excellent - say I were to try ultraVNC (for now), do I need to install at both ends first? If so then I guess it's easier to have the 2 PCs in the same place when first setting it up. I doubt option 3 would work then, as there's only a router at one end; at the other it's just a cable modem.
Would the built in Win XP remote help function work for transferring files? Think I tried it once but couldn't get it to connect.
Would the built in Win XP remote help function work for transferring files? Think I tried it once but couldn't get it to connect.
If you just want to copy from one pc to another, you could do a lot worse than www.foldershare.com
I tried Dameware myself and wasn't that impressed. However, different people prefer different packages so it may just be personal opinion.
Radmin comes with a 30 day licence too and you do need to install the Radmin server on one machine and Radmin viewer on the other. Or, you could install both on both machines so you can run the access either way.
Radmin comes with a 30 day licence too and you do need to install the Radmin server on one machine and Radmin viewer on the other. Or, you could install both on both machines so you can run the access either way.
chris.mapey said:
How about Orb?
Free download. Install & run it on your "base" PC.
You can then access your allowed folders via any other PC or internet device. I use it with a Nokia N70 via 3G.
Very whizzy, as it converts videos "on the fly" to suit the phone...
Chris
Free download. Install & run it on your "base" PC.
You can then access your allowed folders via any other PC or internet device. I use it with a Nokia N70 via 3G.
Very whizzy, as it converts videos "on the fly" to suit the phone...
Chris
I use it all the time on work pc and an XDA Orbit. Also useful if I need a program/file from my Home Network - unix scripts, etc.
You can also send files to your PC from what ever system you are using as well.
There is webcam security add in as well for beta 2.0 version.
"Webcam monitoring with OrbSecure
While on the go, monitor your home or office by accessing your Webcam from anywhere to make sure the house is secure or just check on your pets! Your webcam is a video source! Attach it to your Orb Console PC and install the Orb Secure add-on. Learn more about OrbSecure here.
Now part of Orb 2.0!"
chris.mapey said:
How about Orb?
Free download. Install & run it on your "base" PC.
You can then access your allowed folders via any other PC or internet device. I use it with a Nokia N70 via 3G.
Very whizzy, as it converts videos "on the fly" to suit the phone...
Chris
Free download. Install & run it on your "base" PC.
You can then access your allowed folders via any other PC or internet device. I use it with a Nokia N70 via 3G.
Very whizzy, as it converts videos "on the fly" to suit the phone...
Chris
Your post gave me the impetus to actually download and setup Orb, I've been meaning to do it for ages but never got round to it...
Suprisingly simple to setup! Not been able to test it's performance yet though as I am running it from within my own LAN. I can connect to it from work though, so that's good
So, my current system now uses all the following, all for free (disregarding hardware costs):
Windows media connect to serve videos to my Xbox360. (Can Orb do this? I noticed that the Xbox saw the Orb server)
Orb to serve videos/music to my laptop when i'm out and and about.
Logmein to fully control my home PC remotely and let me access my email, download new torrents etc...
Foldershare to copy files from my home pc when out and about.
Slingbox and slingplayer to watch my sky+ box when away from home.
munky said:
Excellent - say I were to try ultraVNC (for now), do I need to install at both ends first? If so then I guess it's easier to have the 2 PCs in the same place when first setting it up. I doubt option 3 would work then, as there's only a router at one end; at the other it's just a cable modem.
Would the built in Win XP remote help function work for transferring files? Think I tried it once but couldn't get it to connect.
If you are going to use VNC you might want to use some SSL software (e.g. putty) if you want it to be secure. Would the built in Win XP remote help function work for transferring files? Think I tried it once but couldn't get it to connect.
Hmmm, nobody else seems to have addressed your dynamic IP issue... if you're doing "standard" ways of transferring the data (FTP, etc), then this will cause you a problem. Go to www.no-ip.com and solve the problem for free. (Worst case is a couple of minutes of it not working now and then)
If you're willing to have an intermediary step in the middle, something such as the Gmail option mentioned before would possible be a more solid approach (with added support for either PC being off/broken, and another "backup" of it all, too).
(Worst case is a couple of minutes of it not working now and then) If you're willing to have an intermediary step in the middle, something such as the Gmail option mentioned before would possible be a more solid approach (with added support for either PC being off/broken, and another "backup" of it all, too).
nickfrp said:
Didn't someone try to flog this on here a couple of years ago? Gassing Station | Computers, Gadgets & Stuff | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff