External Access to my Internal network

[Guest]

My son in off to college and we would like to let him copy some large files
from our home computer. Is there a way to allow him access. We are using a
Linksys Wireless-B Broadband Router BEFW11S4. While he is home he connects
wirelessly, so his MAC address is already on the allowed list. All of our
computers are running WinXP.

Thanks,
Ralph

 

[Hans-Georg Michna]

My son in off to college and we would like to let him copy some large files
from our home computer. Is there a way to allow him access. We are using a
Linksys Wireless-B Broadband Router BEFW11S4. While he is home he connects
wirelessly, so his MAC address is already on the allowed list. All of our
computers are running WinXP.

Ralph,

unfortunately this is not very easy, but it can be done.

I don't know your router, but if it is capable of VPN (Virtual
Private Network) connections, that is the preferred way to go,
because it is secure.

If not, you can forward the required TCP ports from the router
to one computer, but in that case you have to safeguard that
computer carefully, because other people and programs will also
try to access it. The very minimum is the firewall that comes
with Windows XP the use of secure passwords, and proper access
rights.

A special problem is finding the IP address of your router from
the outside if your IP address is dynamically assigned. Several
services, the most well known of them being DynDNS, offer such
services, mostly even for free. Ideally the router supports some
of these services, so it's easy to use them.

Hans-Georg

 

[Guest]

If you have XP Pro you can set up Remote Desktop, which would allow him to
access the computer directly. PC Anywhere is another method.
If you just want to transfer a few files you could use an IM client like
Windows messenger. If you have some web space of sufficient size you could
upload to that space via FTP, then give him access rights.
Each of these methods has its drawbacks and learning cuves.

 

[Bob Willard]

My son in off to college and we would like to let him copy some large files
from our home computer. Is there a way to allow him access. We are using a
Linksys Wireless-B Broadband Router BEFW11S4. While he is home he connects
wirelessly, so his MAC address is already on the allowed list. All of our
computers are running WinXP.

Thanks,
Ralph

One alternative is USPS protocol -- USPS is slower than TCP/IP, but still works.
Burn a CD, insdert in a jewel case, take it to your post office, and ask for
a mailer with some built-in bubble-wrap.

 

[Jack]

Hi

I may be missing something.

If your son can connect to your Network MAP his Drive to your computer and
copy the Files.

If you need instructions for the sharing setting and mapping look at this
page:

http://www.ezlan.net/sharing.html

If the problem is connecting to your wireless configure his Wireless to
connect to your Network, it does not take more then few minutes.

Wireless - Basic Configuration: http://www.ezlan.net/Wireless_Config.html

Wireless - BasicSecurity: http://www.ezlan.net/Wireless_Security.html

Jack (MVP-Networking).

 

[Jason]

Or you can use a web service like WebEx Access Anywhere. It is really
easy to use. Just download an agent on the remote computer you want to
access. You can access files and everything on the computer. WebEx
(http://www.webex.com/go?accessone) is having a promotion that you can
use it free till 2005. If you want to do it for a couple times, just
signup. And after you are done, you can cancel it.

Jason