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[theolodian]

Reduced to considering running XP in VMWare to get this working.  Vista has some sort of native VPN client, but seems to be no way to set it up and even then it can't handle shares?!  So of course can't find anyone that does a VPN client for Vista.  Willing to buy a new VPN box, but need to be sure that it will work with Vista.  Have VPN box already, but so far no joy.  Help!  TIA!

Argh Vista sux!  

[Golfbuddy]

Have you seen this?

[theolodian]

Have you seen this?

We tried to set that up with a Symantec VPN box but couldn't get it to work.  Of course Symantec is less than helpful.  Vista documentation doesn't talk about how to set up the VPN box.  We have found some stuff online about setting up the PPTP settings ont he box, but a bit worried about taking the whole network down.

We are going to try this www.thegreenbow.com thing.  Fingers crossed!

Cheers!

[Crazydad]

Without wanting to use theolodians thread for my use,

may i ask a question of you PC professionals:

I want to set up a connection between 2 computers  that are 500 Miles apart,

I would like to be able to transfer data, irrelevant how big the packages are between the two PCs

answers please in "Normal English" as i am no wizzkid with this stuff, and i would like to be able to understand you

Thanks in advance

[TheBoy]

Without wanting to use theolodians thread for my use,

may i ask a question of you PC professionals:

I want to set up a connection between 2 computers  that are 500 Miles apart,

I would like to be able to transfer data, irrelevant how big the packages are between the two PCs

answers please in "Normal English" as i am no wizzkid with this stuff, and i would like to be able to understand you

Thanks in advance

ftp is the most efficient way of transferring large files.

[Paul M]

I haven't used Vista extensively yet, so haven't tried setting up a VPN. Can't help you any further I'm afraid.

Without wanting to use theolodians thread for my use,

may i ask a question of you PC professionals:

I want to set up a connection between 2 computers  that are 500 Miles apart,

I would like to be able to transfer data, irrelevant how big the packages are between the two PCs

answers please in "Normal English" as i am no wizzkid with this stuff, and i would like to be able to understand you

Thanks in advance

It depends on how often you'll be doing this, and the nature of the transfers. If it's just the occasional file now and then, I'd set up an SSH server on the remote machine and use SCP (or SFTP) to copy the files as required. If you want to synchronise files between them I'd use rsync, but tunnel that over SSH too for security. Alternatively you can set up an FTP server (although standard FTP uses plain text logins, something I'd never have on one of my systems -- I'd recommend using SSL) or even a web server, which isn't really a good approach for just file transfers but many people do it.

What operating systems are you running on each machine? Once you know what service you want we can give some guidance on how to configure it.

[Crazydad]

Without wanting to use theolodians thread for my use,

may i ask a question of you PC professionals:

I want to set up a connection between 2 computers  that are 500 Miles apart,

I would like to be able to transfer data, irrelevant how big the packages are between the two PCs

answers please in "Normal English" as i am no wizzkid with this stuff, and i would like to be able to understand you

Thanks in advance

ftp is the most efficient way of transferring large files.

whats ftp, and how can i set it up, is there a monthly payment needed or is it free

i know loads of questions but i havent a clue

Edit 19:21

found this         http://www.ftpplanet.com/ftpresources/basics.htm

[TheBoy]

It depends on how often you'll be doing this, and the nature of the transfers. If it's just the occasional file now and then, I'd set up an SSH server on the remote machine and use SCP (or SFTP) to copy the files as required. If you want to synchronise files between them I'd use rsync, but tunnel that over SSH too for security. Alternatively you can set up an FTP server (although standard FTP uses plain text logins, something I'd never have on one of my systems -- I'd recommend using SSL) or even a web server, which isn't really a good approach for just file transfers but many people do it.

What operating systems are you running on each machine? Once you know what service you want we can give some guidance on how to configure it.

As he said no techie talk, I assumed Windows, so no rsync or similar. May be able to do it via cygwin, but that product is poor.

Any form of tunnelling (inc SSL) is encapsulated. If the files are large, as implicated, this will have a massive hit on throughput, esp as (again assuming) likely simple broadband links.

[TheBoy]

For free ftp, Filezilla is a decent client. Haven't used the server.  Windows XP comes with a perfectly usable FTP server anyway.

[CaptainZok]

Wouldn't xp's built in FTP server be enough for this application?
Basic I know but its already in xp and would probably be the easiest to setup for occasional use.

[TheBoy]

Wouldn't xp's built in FTP server be enough for this application?
Basic I know but its already in xp and would probably be the easiest to setup for occasional use.

Isn't that what I just said

[Crazydad]

wow most of that ha sgone right over my head

I am now completely lost

How could we (me and the other pc user) set the xp ftp up ??

where is it?

[Golfbuddy]

Right Guvnor. Have a look at this. It's not entirely free but it does work and it's perfect for I.T. numskulls like us. I tried it out but decided not to go for the paid service as I wouldn't get enough use out of it. Of course, both P.C.s need to be on for it to work but I guess that's the same whatever you try.

Let us know what you think.

 

[Paul M]

As he said no techie talk, I assumed Windows, so no rsync or similar. May be able to do it via cygwin, but that product is poor.

Any form of tunnelling (inc SSL) is encapsulated. If the files are large, as implicated, this will have a massive hit on throughput, esp as (again assuming) likely simple broadband links.

I asked what the OS is on both machines, rather than assume

Yes, encrypting the link will slow things down, but having a server running on the internet that accepts clear text logins is too much of a downfall to me. Unless you don't care for who gets into it and accesses your files... really depends on whether there's anything you consider personal or confidential on there.

Yes he did say no techie talk, but I'd rather first find out exactly what problem needs to be solved then state what I consider the best approach, rather than give a "one size fits all" when it may actually be a poor fit. 8-)

[CaptainZok]

Wouldn't xp's built in FTP server be enough for this application?
Basic I know but its already in xp and would probably be the easiest to setup for occasional use.

Isn't that what I just said

Indeed, you just beat me to it.

[Crazydad]

Right Guvnor. Have a look at this. It's not entirely free but it does work and it's perfect for I.T. numskulls like us. I tried it out but decided not to go for the paid service as I wouldn't get enough use out of it. Of course, both P.C.s need to be on for it to work but I guess that's the same whatever you try.

Let us know what you think.

 

now that sounds good also while looking i found this is
http://fileforum.betanews.com/detail/Hamachi_for_Windows/1104137509/1
i think t
says it´s all free or am i missing something??

[Golfbuddy]

Right Guvnor. Have a look at this. It's not entirely free but it does work and it's perfect for I.T. numskulls like us. I tried it out but decided not to go for the paid service as I wouldn't get enough use out of it. Of course, both P.C.s need to be on for it to work but I guess that's the same whatever you try.

Let us know what you think.

 

now that sounds good also while looking i found this is
http://fileforum.betanews.com/detail/Hamachi_for_Windows/1104137509/1
i think t
says it´s all free or am i missing something??

Looks like there's a free and premium version. Why not download it and try it out? Don't forget to set a system restore point and do a back up first though. You never know what some of these things do to your system.  

[TheBoy]

I asked what the OS is on both machines, rather than assume

Yes, encrypting the link will slow things down, but having a server running on the internet that accepts clear text logins is too much of a downfall to me. Unless you don't care for who gets into it and accesses your files... really depends on whether there's anything you consider personal or confidential on there.

Yes he did say no techie talk, but I'd rather first find out exactly what problem needs to be solved then state what I consider the best approach, rather than give a "one size fits all" when it may actually be a poor fit. 8-)

I think it was pretty obvious they were going to be XP PCs....

Virtually every webhost has std ftp open to internet, and correctly set up, is normally OK.  Granted, people in the right (priveledged) places on the net can sniff the password, hence why you should change password at least monthly.

All of our Internet facing servers that have been 'hit' haven't been via FTP, but due to Linux's usual problem with iptables being flakey under heavy use (have to use iptables, as proper, dedicated firewalls are too slow for some applications).


For this application - swapping files, possibly large ones - straight FTP is easy to set up and performs well

[HI2DVY]

Cisco have a VPN Client for Vista (32 bit version only).

Would a copy of that help? - trial version obviously, wouldn't want to break any laws now would we?

Dave

[Crazydad]

As he said no techie talk, I assumed Windows, so no rsync or similar. May be able to do it via cygwin, but that product is poor.

Any form of tunnelling (inc SSL) is encapsulated. If the files are large, as implicated, this will have a massive hit on throughput, esp as (again assuming) likely simple broadband links.

I asked what the OS is on both machines, rather than assume

Yes, encrypting the link will slow things down, but having a server running on the internet that accepts clear text logins is too much of a downfall to me. Unless you don't care for who gets into it and accesses your files... really depends on whether there's anything you consider personal or confidential on there.

Yes he did say no techie talk, but I'd rather first find out exactly what problem needs to be solved then state what I consider the best approach, rather than give a "one size fits all" when it may actually be a poor fit. 8-)

well both use windows xp home  and all that is neede is a (free) way of transfering files from on pc to another, no need to access my pc  from any other places  

[TheBoy]

As he said no techie talk, I assumed Windows, so no rsync or similar. May be able to do it via cygwin, but that product is poor.

Any form of tunnelling (inc SSL) is encapsulated. If the files are large, as implicated, this will have a massive hit on throughput, esp as (again assuming) likely simple broadband links.

I asked what the OS is on both machines, rather than assume

Yes, encrypting the link will slow things down, but having a server running on the internet that accepts clear text logins is too much of a downfall to me. Unless you don't care for who gets into it and accesses your files... really depends on whether there's anything you consider personal or confidential on there.

Yes he did say no techie talk, but I'd rather first find out exactly what problem needs to be solved then state what I consider the best approach, rather than give a "one size fits all" when it may actually be a poor fit. 8-)

well both use windows xp home  and all that is neede is a (free) way of transfering files from on pc to another, no need to access my pc  from any other places  

You have a FTP server on each (may need to install from the XP CD).  As previously said, the free Filezilla FTP client is fine.  Just need to (possibly) set up your routers to allow it.  If you are on dynamic IP addresses, may need to use a dynamic dns service...

[Crazydad]

what do you think of this http://www.goldenftpserver.com/

[TheBoy]

what do you think of this http://www.goldenftpserver.com/

You have a pretty reasonable FTP server built in to XP - part of IIS...

[Crazydad]

what do you think of this http://www.goldenftpserver.com/

You have a pretty reasonable FTP server built in to XP - part of IIS...

can you run me through an activation route??

nice and slow

[TheBoy]

what do you think of this http://www.goldenftpserver.com/

You have a pretty reasonable FTP server built in to XP - part of IIS...

can you run me through an activation route??

nice and slow

control panel > add/remove programs > windows components
highligh internet information services (not tick), then tick Filetransfter protocol (ftp), click ok, its installed.

[Crazydad]

what do you think of this http://www.goldenftpserver.com/

You have a pretty reasonable FTP server built in to XP - part of IIS...

can you run me through an activation route??

nice and slow

control panel > add/remove programs > windows components
highligh internet information services (not tick), then tick Filetransfter protocol (ftp), click ok, its installed.

and what then??

[TheBoy]

what do you think of this http://www.goldenftpserver.com/

You have a pretty reasonable FTP server built in to XP - part of IIS...

can you run me through an activation route??

nice and slow

control panel > add/remove programs > windows components
highligh internet information services (not tick), then tick Filetransfter protocol (ftp), click ok, its installed.

and what then??

install filezilla (search for it on google), then test it locally.

then, you may need to configure port forwardimg and firewalls...

[Paul M]

I think it was pretty obvious they were going to be XP PCs....

On the balance of probabilities it's likely (especially for the local PC) but I never like to assume in these cases -- the remote box could have been anything.

Virtually every webhost has std ftp open to internet, and correctly set up, is normally OK.  Granted, people in the right (priveledged) places on the net can sniff the password, hence why you should change password at least monthly.

Yes, and POP3/IMAP mail servers, and SMTP servers authenticated only by IP address etc. It works, but I consider it to be a bit of a joke and they only do it because it's cheap and they couldn't care less about their customers' data/information integrity.

All of our Internet facing servers that have been 'hit' haven't been via FTP, but due to Linux's usual problem with iptables being flakey under heavy use (have to use iptables, as proper, dedicated firewalls are too slow for some applications).


For this application - swapping files, possibly large ones - straight FTP is easy to set up and performs well

It does perform well in purely terms of getting the file from A to B efficiently, and I consider it to be ideal for public servers that allow anonymous access. But personally I'd never put anything I'm remotely concerned about becoming public onto a standard FTP server -- if it's some holiday snaps then I wouldn't worry, but if it's finance spreadsheets I would. Depends how paranoid you are really, and I guess I rank quite high on the scale when it comes to computer security

[Martin_1962]

VPN Client in XP?

Where?

[TheBoy]

Virtually every webhost has std ftp open to internet, and correctly set up, is normally OK.  Granted, people in the right (priveledged) places on the net can sniff the password, hence why you should change password at least monthly.

Yes, and POP3/IMAP mail servers, and SMTP servers authenticated only by IP address etc. It works, but I consider it to be a bit of a joke and they only do it because it's cheap and they couldn't care less about their customers' data/information integrity.

All of our Internet facing servers that have been 'hit' haven't been via FTP, but due to Linux's usual problem with iptables being flakey under heavy use (have to use iptables, as proper, dedicated firewalls are too slow for some applications).


For this application - swapping files, possibly large ones - straight FTP is easy to set up and performs well

It does perform well in purely terms of getting the file from A to B efficiently, and I consider it to be ideal for public servers that allow anonymous access. But personally I'd never put anything I'm remotely concerned about becoming public onto a standard FTP server -- if it's some holiday snaps then I wouldn't worry, but if it's finance spreadsheets I would. Depends how paranoid you are really, and I guess I rank quite high on the scale when it comes to computer security

The first point. Not caring about data/integrity? No, thats not the reason. Its because people can use it.  It costs nothing to add sftp, scp etc, and these often are provided in addition to ftp (and telnet is shell access given).  The non encrypted tend to get used more due to easier use for non savvy users.

Second point. If its OK to email, its OK to ftp (in the same format) imho.

[Baron Von Spongebob]

I have been trying to follow this post as it is of interest to me but its like looking through fog..

Am i thick,,dont answer i will..yes..

I have tried setting up ftp but do not know where to go next, i am joining crazydad with this mystery to us..

Insults welcome i deserve it..

[Golfbuddy]

I have been trying to follow this post as it is of interest to me but its like looking through fog..

Am i thick,,dont answer i will..yes..

I have tried setting up ftp but do not know where to go next, i am joining crazydad with this mystery to us..

Insults welcome i deserve it..

You know I wouldn't normally miss an invitation like that but I'm in the same boat as you. I am totally lost as well.

Still I wonder if Theolodian managed to solve his problem?

[Baron Von Spongebob]

I have been trying to follow this post as it is of interest to me but its like looking through fog..

Am i thick,,dont answer i will..yes..

I have tried setting up ftp but do not know where to go next, i am joining crazydad with this mystery to us..

Insults welcome i deserve it..

You know I wouldn't normally miss an invitation like that but I'm in the same boat as you. I am totally lost as well.

Still I wonder if Theolodian managed to solve his problem?

I am getting used to being thick..

Not having experience with software of this kind its hard..But there again i will have a lightbulb moment one day..I promise..

[theolodian]

Cisco have a VPN Client for Vista (32 bit version only).

Would a copy of that help? - trial version obviously, wouldn't want to break any laws now would we?

Dave

Yeah, Cisco's super expensive.  Got the other thing mostly working.  Will spend more time on it Friday.  Everything else, Cisco included, seems to only be the big boys - Cisco, Nortel et. al.  Not Symantec, Linksys, Netgear, etc.

Did I mention that Vista sux?    Only decent 13" Windows laptop is the MacBook.  Runs Vista and XP.  Dell, Sony, etc. seem to only do Vista on 13 inchers.

[Paul M]

Virtually every webhost has std ftp open to internet, and correctly set up, is normally OK.  Granted, people in the right (priveledged) places on the net can sniff the password, hence why you should change password at least monthly.

Yes, and POP3/IMAP mail servers, and SMTP servers authenticated only by IP address etc. It works, but I consider it to be a bit of a joke and they only do it because it's cheap and they couldn't care less about their customers' data/information integrity.

All of our Internet facing servers that have been 'hit' haven't been via FTP, but due to Linux's usual problem with iptables being flakey under heavy use (have to use iptables, as proper, dedicated firewalls are too slow for some applications).


For this application - swapping files, possibly large ones - straight FTP is easy to set up and performs well

It does perform well in purely terms of getting the file from A to B efficiently, and I consider it to be ideal for public servers that allow anonymous access. But personally I'd never put anything I'm remotely concerned about becoming public onto a standard FTP server -- if it's some holiday snaps then I wouldn't worry, but if it's finance spreadsheets I would. Depends how paranoid you are really, and I guess I rank quite high on the scale when it comes to computer security

The first point. Not caring about data/integrity? No, thats not the reason. Its because people can use it.  It costs nothing to add sftp, scp etc, and these often are provided in addition to ftp (and telnet is shell access given).  The non encrypted tend to get used more due to easier use for non savvy users.

Second point. If its OK to email, its OK to ftp (in the same format) imho.

Yes unencrypted is easier, but it's not really much more difficult to use encrypted links. And usually people who aren't tech savvy will be following a guide provided by whoever is running the service. Particularly when it comes to configuring IMAP/POP3 e-mail, you have to look up the host address anyway (although quite often it's obvious) so all they have to say is "tick the SSL" option or whatever, one extra click. Even my mum can manage that .

I agree that if it's suitable to e-mail it's suitable to FTP. Photos and stuff I'd happily e-mail, but there's a lot of stuff I wouldn't e-mail, or at least I'd encrypt first and tell the recipient the passphrase over the phone. I think the danger with FTP is that you can end up leaving stuff accessible without thinking of the potential consequences.

[TheBoy]

Yes unencrypted is easier, but it's not really much more difficult to use encrypted links. And usually people who aren't tech savvy will be following a guide provided by whoever is running the service. Particularly when it comes to configuring IMAP/POP3 e-mail, you have to look up the host address anyway (although quite often it's obvious) so all they have to say is "tick the SSL" option or whatever, one extra click. Even my mum can manage that .

I agree that if it's suitable to e-mail it's suitable to FTP. Photos and stuff I'd happily e-mail, but there's a lot of stuff I wouldn't e-mail, or at least I'd encrypt first and tell the recipient the passphrase over the phone. I think the danger with FTP is that you can end up leaving stuff accessible without thinking of the potential consequences.

take your average Windows or basic Linux machine - nothing but simple ftp, not sftp etc.  As for mail clients - there are a huge number of clients and scripts that can't deal with SSL. Additionally, it does NOTHING for integrity/privacy, as smtp to smtp relays are unencrypted.

With the 'if it can be emailed' comment, I did state 'in the same format' - ie if you need to encrypt to email, you need to encrypt to ftp...

[Andy B]

I have been trying to follow this post as it is of interest to me but its like looking through fog..

Am i thick,,dont answer i will..yes..

I have tried setting up ftp but do not know where to go next, i am joining crazydad with this mystery to us..

Insults welcome i deserve it..

I've been trying too. But my brain started to ache after the first couple of answers.  

[CaptainZok]

OK have you installed the FTP server within windows?

[Baron Von Spongebob]

OK have you installed the FTP server within windows?

I havnt..It asks me for SP DISK 2 which i dont have..Just the restore disk that come with computer and it says it cannot find the file..

So i installed Golden ftp server..set it up but how do others look at it..

Im getting duller by the day..

[Paul M]

Yes unencrypted is easier, but it's not really much more difficult to use encrypted links. And usually people who aren't tech savvy will be following a guide provided by whoever is running the service. Particularly when it comes to configuring IMAP/POP3 e-mail, you have to look up the host address anyway (although quite often it's obvious) so all they have to say is "tick the SSL" option or whatever, one extra click. Even my mum can manage that .

I agree that if it's suitable to e-mail it's suitable to FTP. Photos and stuff I'd happily e-mail, but there's a lot of stuff I wouldn't e-mail, or at least I'd encrypt first and tell the recipient the passphrase over the phone. I think the danger with FTP is that you can end up leaving stuff accessible without thinking of the potential consequences.

take your average Windows or basic Linux machine - nothing but simple ftp, not sftp etc.  As for mail clients - there are a huge number of clients and scripts that can't deal with SSL. Additionally, it does NOTHING for integrity/privacy, as smtp to smtp relays are unencrypted.

With the 'if it can be emailed' comment, I did state 'in the same format' - ie if you need to encrypt to email, you need to encrypt to ftp...

Yes e-mail is inherently insecure even with SSL, of that there is no doubt. However it does protect your password, which I still consider very important because many ISPs use a single password for multiple services... if your e-mail pass is snooped, so is your password for anything else. Often there's no way to separate them, again it comes down to them minimising cost.

The difference with e-mail and FTP for me is that I seldom send anything of any privacy value over e-mail. On the other hand I do often want to access my files (documents etc) when I'm away from home, and I don't know in advance which ones I may want or need. Therefore file level encryption doesn't help much as I'd need to know in advance which files I'll need (or routinely encrypt them all). With secure login and encrypted link I can simply log on and download whatever I need without worrying about it or planning it.

As mentioned before, I'm probably more paranoid than most when it comes to information security, but in my opinion and for my circumstances it's worth the (slight) extra effort/overhead.

[Golfbuddy]

OK have you installed the FTP server within windows?

I havnt..It asks me for SP DISK 2 which i dont have..Just the restore disk that come with computer and it says it cannot find the file..

So i installed Golden ftp server..set it up but how do others look at it..

Im getting duller by the day..

Do you mean SP2 disk? Do you have SP2 installed at all? If not I've got an original copy I could put in the post for you. You are running WinXP aren't you. Win98 used to keep asking you to insert Disk2 into the disk drive.

[CaptainZok]

OK have you installed the FTP server within windows?

I havnt..It asks me for SP DISK 2 which i dont have..Just the restore disk that come with computer and it says it cannot find the file..

So i installed Golden ftp server..set it up but how do others look at it..

Im getting duller by the day..

Have you got your IP address? if not open a command prompt and type ipconfig /all
you will see your IP address in the text that comes up.
using an ftp client on another pc try to connect to your IP address.
I would set the server to allow anonymous logins first to see if it works.

[Baron Von Spongebob]

OK have you installed the FTP server within windows?

I havnt..It asks me for SP DISK 2 which i dont have..Just the restore disk that come with computer and it says it cannot find the file..

So i installed Golden ftp server..set it up but how do others look at it..

Im getting duller by the day..

Do you mean SP2 disk? Do you have SP2 installed at all? If not I've got an original copy I could put in the post for you. You are running WinXP aren't you. Win98 used to keep asking you to insert Disk2 into the disk drive.

Yes thats what i meant..Typing too fast again for my brain..Yes have SP2 installed and have SP2 disk but it didnt work..Perhaps a new copy needed..Let you know..

[CaptainZok]

Just a thought Spongey what do you want to transfer? If its just the occasional pic or file why not just use MSN or similar and use the file sharing in that? Its more or less auto setup and you can even set up a sharing directory now that will sync to another pc

[Baron Von Spongebob]

Just a thought Spongey what do you want to transfer? If its just the occasional pic or file why not just use MSN or similar and use the file sharing in that? Its more or less auto setup and you can even set up a sharing directory now that will sync to another pc

You have PM

[CaptainZok]

So do you.