Server software

wolfeking

wolfeking

banned
Is there a freeware program that I can use to kinda convert my computer to a server. Basically what I want is a setup where I can access my files (like word documents and pictures) from another computer using a web connection. So the program needs to be able to set up a password protected address to access the files from.
 
Your computer doesn't necessarily need to be a server to do something like this. Here is a suggestion...

Install, to the server computer some kind of SFTP server (Secure FTP/FTP over SSH). This will allow you access to your files in a secure manor. Ive used Core SFTP, it wasn't bad you could give that a try...

Now, the only problem with that would be having to know your IP address, which could change frequently....So I suggest signing up for a no-ip account. *LINK*

No-IP's website has a dynamic update client that you should set to run at bootup. The client checks your external IP every 5 minutes or so and updates your A record (hostname to IP address translation) on the internet DNS servers.

At this point, make sure no firewall is blocking transmission, which would include port forwarding the proper ports (google) for FTP/SFTP/SSH. Now you will be able to reach your SFTP server on the internet using the [username-on-noIP].no-ip.org (or whatever suffix you configured when you sign up) address
 
I know linux well. I need Windows for school, and I need to be able to access my windows files over the web on other computers.
 
wolfeking said:
I know linux well. I need Windows for school, and I need to be able to access my windows files over the web on other computers.
Click to expand...

You can host windows files on a Linux Box. Samba and smb_fs allow you to network a Windows box to a Linux server, and host windows files.

Why pay $100 for an OS for just file sharing, when Linux can do it and it is free?

I only have 1 Windows box in my home, and the rest of my computers are Macs and Linux boxes, and I share files between all of them.
 
Yeah...you could run OpenSSH in linux, and share your Windows drives, given that they are mounted.

So either way should be fine for what you need...
 
You'd have to install a Windows ssh client on the win box to use SSH. Really all you need is web hosting. I can toss any files on my web server and then down load them over HTTP on any computer that has an Internet connection.

If you are using a router with third party firmware like DD-WRT you can set a network path to a samba server and then with dyndns you can track your changing IP and access a file share over the internet.
 
tlarkin said:
You'd have to install a Windows ssh client on the win box to use SSH. Really all you need is web hosting. I can toss any files on my web server and then down load them over HTTP on any computer that has an Internet connection.

If you are using a router with third party firmware like DD-WRT you can set a network path to a samba server and then with dyndns you can track your changing IP and access a file share over the internet.
Click to expand...

HTTP = Plaintext passwords!! :eek: or no passwords at all...but original post said
So the program needs to be able to set up a password protected address to access the files from
Click to expand...
...so I figured SSH is better...with freeware like WinSCP
 
davidireland said:
HTTP = Plaintext passwords!! :eek: or no passwords at all...but original post said ...so I figured SSH is better...with freeware like WinSCP
Click to expand...

you can use HTTPS and if you are mounting a SMB share, SMB encrypts passwords. You still authenticate over ssh, or telnet from your router which is encrypted.
 
tlarkin said:
You can host windows files on a Linux Box. Samba and smb_fs allow you to network a Windows box to a Linux server, and host windows files.

Why pay $100 for an OS for just file sharing, when Linux can do it and it is free?

I only have 1 Windows box in my home, and the rest of my computers are Macs and Linux boxes, and I share files between all of them.
Click to expand...
*rant*Its already on my computer. Windows 7 came with it, duh. Besides, as long as I still got the key on the bottom (got creative and placed a clear medical dressing (like IV's use) just to keep this one from rubbing off. (why do they always put the key right where it sits on your leg, thus rubbing off?)*end rant*

I only have 250 GB to work with and Linux would split my limited HDD even more than it already is. This just aint going to happen right now. So... Please stick to windows program (unless I can run the linux thing in Virtual Box. I have 10.04 Ubuntu LTS i386 already mounted to Vbox.) with a GUI that is simple to follow.
 
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I am not sure if all versions of Windows 7 allow for web sharing. I don't ever use third party apps really if there is something that runs it native.

What router do you own, will it support DD-WRT? I hope your school doesn't filter Internet traffic, they may have personal sites blocked.

You can upgrade a service like logmein or something similar to allow for file sharing. However, I assume you re not allowed to install client software on the machines. If these files aren't super huge why not just store them in webmail?
 
Personal sites are not blocked.
Its not just files for school that I am doing this for. Theoretically, any file on my hard drive could be brought up on another computer at will (assuming the other user has the site and PW) once this is set up, right? Like If I have a home movie that I want to share with Grandad (hes 350 miles away), then if i gave him the PW and site address, he could pull it off my HDD and watch it himself?

The router is just whatever century link sent us. Its just a black box (no brand, so assuming that they have a self built unit for their customers.) what is DD-WRT?
 
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CGI has all sorts of security flaws. If you allow remote code to be ran on your web server you run the risk of it being escalated for malicious purposes. You would have to block certain key words from running and such.
 
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