suggestion 2

[ifix1]

Hi
can anyone suggest some easy reading on how to set up a server or tell me how i can access my file storeing hd from the internet,I have a cable connection going to a router(setup as dhcp),then i have 2 computers(1=2k pro 1=xp pro) connected to the router.I would like to access 1 of these computers from the internet..

if someone is going to take the time to explain,please remember "EASY" I have not even learned to crawl on this subject yet

if not an easy tut would be great to..

THANKS FOR ANY HELP!!

 

[smah]

There are a few possible ways, but I suggest an FTP server.

You should be able to use the IIS server on either of these machines - make sure you have all the appropriate security patches. If it's not installed, look in Add/Remove Windows Componentes for Internet Information Services. Make sure you keep this server password protected with a strong password. Before you make this server available to the internet, test it on your internal network.

Once the server is running correctly, you can make it accessible to the internet by using the port forwarding function of your router. Forward port 21 to the internal IP address of the server machine. As a side note here, you may want to turn off the DHCP server function of your router and assign internal IP addresses manually (so they don't change when you least expect it).

The toughest part may be how to access this from the internet. I assume that you get a dynamic IP address from your ISP. This is the address that you'll have to access from the internet. Because it can change, the easiest thing to do will be to check the public IP address before you need it. You should find this somewhere in your router setup - something like 'current status'. When you know the IP address, you can access it at ftp://youripaddress. When you connect, you will be prompted for the username and password.

There are other methods to keep track of the changing IP address, but just checking it is the easiest and cheapest (but not the most convienient). There is also IP posting software for many routers. This is software that will run and check your public IP address and post it to some web space so you can see what the IP address from anywhere. Another way is to register a real domain name, and use a dynamic DNS service. Finally, you could probably just pay your ISP a little more money for a static IP address (but some don't want you running any kind of server, so be careful about this).

 

[ifix1]

WOW
Thanks for taking the time to explain,I will try setting it up a little later today.I was concerned that i wouldn't be to access the fileshare on the "lan" side of the router.i was thinking i would have to put a computer (w/fileshare h/d in this computer) between modem and router..

AGAIN THANKS smah

 

[smah]

On the Lan side, you may need to FTP to ftp://yourinternalip instead of ftp://yourpublicip.

Also, with a little searching on the internet, you should find some good step by step instructions for whichever machine you choose - something like this for xp:

http://www.google.com/search?client...&q=XP+setup+FTP+server+IIS&btnG=Google+Search

 

[ifix1]

until you explained IIS (i seen it mentioned) i didn't have a clue as to what it was.i would ask some times and the explanation would go right over my head,but seeing you use it along with the other info you gave me KINDA helped it to make cense..

I don't have the knowledge you do to do such a precise search..i will use the links you provided

THANKS AGAIN

 

[manarth]

ifix1 - it's nice to reqard helpful posts like smah's with a star...you can do this by clicking the "* Mark this post as a helpful / expert post" link at the bottom of a post.

<marc> i wonder what will happen if i press this...[ul][li]please give feedback on what works / what doesn't[/li][li]need some help? how to get a better answer: faq581-3339[/li][/ul]

 

[ifix1]

thanks manarth,i didn't notice that..that's a nice little pat on the back for someone...nice touch!

 

[ifix1]

Hello again smah
ok i changed my settings in my router to reflect a static wan and lan, but when i changed my tcp/ip settings from optain ip address auto to use following ip address i lost my network(everything,internet and other shares)..only lost #1 internet conn, #2 computer was fine with changes i made.i'm sure the problem is with the setting i made on #1 computer

question: in tcp/ip properties when i specify the ip address it needs 3 peices of info &quot;ip add, subnet mask & default gateway&quot; the first 2 i understand and have info on. the &quot;default gateway&quot; are they the figures that are in my router listed under the wan info?

also: when you suggested to assign ip addresses, was that just for the router and let the computers optain ip addresses auto or was that suggestion to assign ip add's for router and computers

1 last note: please don't think you're going to have to babby sit me it's just that the question above i can't get from the reading material

THANKS and have a GREAT DAY!
i'll be away from computer for awhile (yardwork) thanks

 

[ifix1]

sorry to waste space by posting again but i don't want to waste your time,I found a link that explains everything(kinda holds your hand)
BTW:it was in the link you provided..

Thanks for everything

 

[smah]

OK, well in case you haven't found all the details-

You need to leave the WAN side of the router set however your ISP requires - I would assume dynamic (obtain automatically). Otherwise your internet connection won't work. You're ISP controls this and there's not much you can do about it.

On the LAN side of the router, turn off the DHCP server. Otherwise, it will try to give out addresses that we might be about to manually assign. From here I'm guessing a little because you haven't mentioned the brand of router or IP scheme. If my guess isn't right, change the IP addresses below to follow the existing scheme. I'm going to assume that your router has an internal IP address of 192.168.0.1. You can set computer #1 to IP=192.168.0.2, Subnet mask=255.255.255.0, Gateway=192.168.0.1 (think gateway to the internet AKA your router). #2 computer would be the same except IP=192.168.0.3. Again, this step isn't really neccessary, it will just prevent your router forwarding from getting messed up if your internal IP addresses change for some reason.

 

[ifix1]

Hello again
i set my router as static on the wan side. I also went static on the lan side.then i went it network properties and tried to assign an ip address and thats when i lost my internet..I haven't had time tonight to PLAY but I will pick it up again tomorrow night

THANKS

BTW: my router is a linksys. (4 port) address is 192.168.1.1..

 

[smah]

You can't set the WAN side of the router as static unless that's what your ISP has sold you.

 

[manarth]

as smah says, leave the WAN side as dynamic - yes, this means it'll change, but you can't do much about this - settings for the WAN side are decided by your ISP.

Solution?
As mentioned, use a DNS service: no-ip (

http://www.no-ip.com)

do a free dynamic DNS service; you access your computer using domain-name: ftp://yourdomainname.no-ip.com/

<marc> i wonder what will happen if i press this...[ul][li]please give feedback on what works / what doesn't[/li][li]need some help? how to get a better answer: faq581-3339[/li][/ul]

 

[ifix1]

boy was i in a pickle..
i went to that no-ip site set up a host name and not my freakin router is viewable from the internet..it was easy enough to solve(if you want to call it that) i just removed my host name from no-ip and then no more router access on the net..
i did make my password ALOT harder while i figure this thing out..
i left my router dynamic and just went static on the lan side

AGAIN THANKS FOR ALL SUGGESTIONS