Online storage
 

First off, I apologize if this is a repeat thread. I can't seem to access the search page to see if this has already been asked.

I am looking for a way to transfer large files from my work computer to my home computer. Currently I have a few different Yahoo accounts and use their briefcase but I have to zip the files into 5 meg chunks in order to use that effectively.

I have searched the web and noticed that there are many online storage places so I'm looking for suggestions on which one is the best. And ideally, are there any free or cheap storage locations on the web. This will just be used for temporary storage to allow me to get files to my home computer that are larger than 5 megs...

Thanks for any help you may be able to provide.

Cubby. :crazy:

Corporate espionage, or just downloading porn at work?

Seriously though, I did this once. Can't remember how, but I just left my home computer on with an open (but passworded) connection, and FTP'd from work directly to home. Someone better than me can tell you how, if that way would help you.

Thats what you want to do. It is cheaper, and saves time at that. Just install an FTP server (you can find some at www.pricelessware.org), set it up, and leave it running.

That's a great idea but doesn't that mean you need a static IP address? My home is over a cable modem so I'm not sure the IP's stay the same....hmm...

Thanks for the info!

There are several services on the web that allow you to have a DNS reference to your home PC via a dynamic IP.
I assume they do this by setting up your PC to report it's IP adress to a central server... If you then lookup your-home-PC.somecorp.com you wil get your PC's IP address...

I've never used anything like that so I can't vouch for it's security or useability.
I used google with "dynamic IP dns" to find a few. Some claim they are free, others require a monthly fee.

if your on cable it wont change often enough for it to really matter, it will generally change when your computer resets its connection, and you can view when your computer is scheduled to refresh its IP through ipconfig, if Im not mistaken. Usually your computer will change IPs when your computer crashes or restarts which happens to me more often than it changing IPs naturally.

Ive had lots of luck hosting internet radio over cable, and that requires a stable IP, I just had to update the link every few weeks.

Hope that helps

oh and btw, your not the only person who cant search, none of us can... read this thread for more info.

ive gone months with out changing my ip. (over cogeco cable).

check it regularly and see how often it changes.

Yeah, my IP changes *maybe* twice a year. If it does, check www.dyndns.org, I use them for my webpage just in case the IP does change.

Thanks a bunch everyone...I'll start checking that (and start leaving my home computer on to see if I can connect).

Cheers!

the best thing you can do is go to www.no-ip.org

you get a free DNS redirect, such as user.myftp.org or user.no-ip.org. And they have a program that runs in the task bar which will update your ip address whenever it changes so the DNS server will always point to your machine.

And the best part is it's totally free :)

Just to help sum up what everyone has said for anyone else who is intrested in doing this as well.

1) Sign up with a free dynamic Ip dns'er.
http://www.dyndns.org/ is what I my self would vouch for, since it requiers nothing to be on your computer.
http://www.no-ip.org/ is another good one.

2) Set your self up a FTP SERVER, not a client. There are a few free ones out there, but for the time being it may be best for you to get a trial of a good one. ServU , or Bulletproof are the top 2 GUI based windows ones. YOu can also resort to just going into google and typing your request.

What does this requier on your home computers end?
To be on with a active internet connection, and thats about it.

For anyone that is willing to use the Trial period of ServU - Professional and needs help setting up a very nice looking ftp, I would be glad to help.

I agree with the dynamic DNS suggestion as well. FTP would be really nice, IF your cable provider lets you do that. My cable ISP blocks FTP servers on the customer side.

What I do is run SSH on my machine. Cygwin has a port of SSH that works very well. Couple that with WinSCP3 (http://winscp.sourceforge.net/eng/), a awesome SCP client, and you'll have yourself an encrypted means of transferring files. An added plus is that it can compress on the fly as well.

To install Cygwin:
1. Go to http://sources.redhat.com/cygwin/ and run the "Install or update now!" link.
2. Go through the steps, but when you get to the "Select Packages" dialog, click the + on "Net", and scroll down to find "openssh". Click on "Skip" until it changes to a version number (the one that will be installed).
3. Continue on through the installation.
4. Double-click the Cygwin icon on your desktop. It should start a shell window.
5. Run the following comand: ssh-host-config
6. Answer all of its questions. It will install a service for you.
7. If needed, forward port 22 on your router to port 22 on your machine.

Download WinSCP3 and use it as a client. Use your regular username and password from your machine. If you don't have a password set, set one.

I know this sounds like a lot of work, but it may give you an alternative if FTP isn't viable for you (I actually prefer SSH).