Windows XP file sharing over the internet

Question

I have two computers, one at home and one at my office. I need a method of being able to access my home PC while in the office using my office PC (and visa versa) via the internet. Both run WinXP and are 'always-on' , and I believe there is a way using the remote assistance. Any assistance would be greatly appreciated as most of the programs available on the internet you have to pay for, and I'm sure there is a simple way. If it's any help I also have a website with full FTP usage. Cheers in advance Dave

LARRY MARTIN · Answer

Hi, Dave....

Do you have static IP at either site?

...and are you an admin in charge of the company firewall/IP router?

If not, then it's most likely pretty tough to get through the dynamic addressing and firewall port blocks.

I do exactly what you want to do quite often but I have control over both the IP addressing and firewall port assignments and configure port forwarding to one of the target machines.

If you can do the port forwarding on the IP router, then all you really need to do is set up file an print sharing on the static machines then map to it from nearly anywhere in the world.

If you aren't the net admin or owner of the company, then you may be outa luck on the freebie stuff.

I use FTP also on my IIS server so that customers can download drivers, files and utilities. But that's a different story.

Larry

Jerry Park · Answer

Google VPN (Virtual Private Network). A VPN will provide the access you need.

PPTP is probably the easiest to implement. You may or may not be able to set up VPN servers at home and work, depending on your access (at work) to the router/firewalls in place.

ChocoDave · Answer

Well both are on DSL lines, but I'm not 100% sure if the IP address is dynamicaly found. Both machines are through always-on routers, would this make a difference? And yes I do have Admin access to both the computers. Unfortunatly this is where my knowledge of computers ends as I dont know much about 'port forwarding' and the like. Larry, if you already do similar, could you please explain a little clearer what I'd need to do? Again, cheers in advance Dave

Jerry Park · Answer

You can set up a VPN server on a computer at each site. Alternately, if your router has a VPN server, it can serve.

I'm using routers at home and work which support PPTP VPN. Makes it real easy to set up a VPN connection.

You really just need to read up on the various VPN methods and choose what will work for you.

ChocoDave · Answer

Thanks for the advice Jerry, it's nice to know I've got support like this when I need it! Unfortunately many of the options of VPN on the internet involve installing software at both ends, and while this isn't a problem on my computer, technically the companys IT policy forbids me to load third party software on the machine (yes with an Admin account I can do it, and will if I have to, I'd just rather not run the risk of being moaned at!) Plus when I asked the IT Technician, he was less than helpful and just told me it was possible in XP, which is why I'm here.   May I ask which routers you have Jerry and how your set up works? Sorry to be a continued pain.   Dave Message Edited by ChocoDave on 07-26-200604:51 PM

Jerry Park · Answer

I'm using a linksys wrt54gs at home and a wrt54g at work, both running the dd-wrt firmware.

Check again with your IT department. If your work site has an IT department, I'll guess the IT department could easily set up a VPN for you. I don't have an IT department (or I'm the IT department I guess), so I had to do these things myself.

Doubtless you have corporate directives about what can and cannot happen on your network. It could be that management doesn't want VPN servers on the network. It could also be as simple as asking the right person and getting permission for IT to set it up for you.

ChocoDave · Answer

The company is fine with me setting up this VPN, to the point that if this works well they will implement it for most of us. Unfortunately we dont have a dedicated IT dept, just an IT guy who occasionally comes round and is less than helpful at the best of times. As for our office network, we have two computers connected to a router (that I do not have access to) and I only need to access mine. My main problem is that, as I said before, I'm technically not allowed to install any third party software on the office machine, else I would have done that ages ago! While I believe(!) I have a fairly good working knowledge of computers, I know next to nothing about networking to this level, so the more help the better. Again, Ta in advance Dave

Networking, Internet, & Bluetooth

Windows XP file sharing over the internet

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