Export/Mount drive across Internet with Router

  • Thread starter Thread starter david_ffm
  • Start date Start date
D

david_ffm

Is it technically possible (security issues aside)
to export a windows XP drive and mount it remotely
from a client across the internet, either using IP
address or DNS name, e.g. as
\\111.222.111.222\exportdirname ?

Assuming this is possible, if the server is behind
a router/firewall, which ports would I have to open/
forward on the router to allow this?

At the moment I'm not really interested in VPN or
security issues - the simple password protection
would be enough for this application/data.

Many thanks,
David
 
You need to set up drive sharing with NFS and do the correct
"port-forwarding" for this on the router/firewall where the server is
located. However, this is "extremely" un-secure and most people set up VPNs
for security. Linksys sells an affordable VPN end-link router.
 
Yves said:
You need to set up drive sharing with NFS and do the correct
"port-forwarding" for this on the router/firewall where the server is
located.
Click to expand...

Hi Yves,

Thanks for the answer.
That's my question really.
What is the "correct" port-forwarding?
Doesn't "NFS" mean Unix or Samba though, or does that cover
windows exports too?
However, this is "extremely" un-secure and most people set up VPNs
for security. Linksys sells an affordable VPN end-link router.
Click to expand...

Why is everone so paranoid that everything has to be VPN? I'm
not planning to spend money on hardware or software for this
project. I could set up VPN at my end but I want it to be as
simple as possible for the clients. They are non-technical
people on other continents so there is a limit to how much I
can set up at their ends.

I'll export the directory read-only. If any hackers manage to
crack my password and *really* want to see videos of my last
holiday, well that's ok with me too. Or what's the worst that
could happen, if I'm being so foolhardy?

David

PS. Sorry the last original post was anonymous.
I didn't realise I hadn't subscribed to the group.
 
VPN will protect any sensitive data.

The worst that could happen is that your PC will be taken over and used as a
"relay" to attack other site. I believe that if this happens, you could be
"held" responsible..

The other this is that your PC will be infested with Viruses, spyware and
other "junk".

If you want to "share" info in Windows, I would suggest you take a look at
www.gotomypc.com. This is a sevice when you subscribe and give your client
the access. It is supposed to not require any software to install on the
client's end.

Then, there is also RealVNC. You arre suppoesed to be able to set up the
VNC Viewer to connect directly to you, just by clicking on the attachment.
 
The worst that could happen is that your PC will be taken over and used as a "relay" to attack other site. I believe that if this
happens, you could be "held" responsible..
Click to expand...

How would a hacker be able to take over my PC through the fact that
I have exported a local directory? I don't really see how this is possible.
Do you know of a precendent?
The other this is that your PC will be infested with Viruses, spyware and other "junk".
Click to expand...

AFAIK there are no viruses that can attack through the directory
export services - which ones are you talking about here? OK, of course
theoretically there could be unknown security issues, but that really applies
to any computer connected to a network. Who is to say the VPN router
doesn't have some undiscovered security issues? Or are you talking about
a known virus?
If you want to "share" info in Windows, I would suggest you take a look at www.gotomypc.com. This is a sevice when you subscribe
and give your client the access. It is supposed to not require any software to install on the client's end.

Then, there is also RealVNC. You arre suppoesed to be able to set up the VNC Viewer to connect directly to you, just by clicking
on the attachment.
Click to expand...

I have VNC and the XP remote desktop set up and working. Gotomypc,
as you say, costs money, and none of these are really suitable for what
I want to do. Perhaps I should have explained that more. I want to transfer
files in both directions as comfortably as possible. These are quite large
amounts of data, of the order of several GB. I have an http server running
my end, which is *reasonably* comfortable to use, though a mounted
network drive would be better. For the other direction I only have an FTP
server which is not very comfortable.

So, does anyone have those port numbers, or links to any articles on
the subject?

Thanks again,
David
 
If you're going to transfer "GBs" of information, you may want to use FTP.
It's super easy for the end user to use... just get them "CuteFTP" along with
a user name and password.. it's that easy! Besides, I don't know one client
out there that wants their data published to the world.
 
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