Very simple task for which I would like step by step instructions:

I have two computers each running XP (XPpro also available) each at a
different
house and each connected to the internet with its own DSL line. Same
DSL provider, same  Linksys router,...

I know each computer can see each others as I have run some home
control application one port 80 and can see web pages generated by
each others.

NOW:
very simply I want to do backups from each computer onto the other's
hard drive
and cannot figure out how to "mount" each other drive or partition
over the DSL network

I have been told it is straightforward but not very secure with
Windows (as compared to Linux) BUT Windows XP (XP pro) is what I am
running and I am
willing to sacrifize some security for the convenience to do back-ups.
A simple password would suffice.

In the past (when companies used to offer free disk space over the
internet) I used Web Folders but I don't know if this concept still
exists

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Request for Question Clarification by voyager-ga on 02 Sep 2003 03:01 PDT

Hi francois777,

can you clarify if you just want to copy stuff/backup from one XP
machine to the other or if you actually require features that only a
mounted file system can provide (slow, insecure, difficult on any
windows system)?

Would you be willing to install unix tools (cygwin)? Would a solution
using a webserver be an option to you?

voyager-ga

---

Clarification of Question by francois777-ga on 02 Sep 2003 08:15 PDT

Must use Win XP (or XPro) not much choice.

I could be using a Webserver model...as long as I can do it myself
without implicating my ISP.

LIke I said they used to have Web Folders in the past and that was
great.

And Yes I am willing to install cygwin!

you familiar with general windows filesharing stuff?
dsl normally blocks that traffic, but
you can get there by setting up vpn tunnel between the two computers.

do you have VPN routers?  that's the easiest way.
if not, you can still do it with WinXP pro's IPsec support --
basically follow the instructions on linksys's website for BEFVP41.

if you need detailed instructions, post a clarification.

one trick to keep in mind is both computers need matching Winxp
login/passwords to to peer filesharing.

Copying files between machines can be solved securely using the Windows 
version of  SSH / SCP aka PuTTY. Check out the following website and take 
look at PuTTY  http://www.jfitz.com/tips/ssh_for_windows.html

See also the PuTTY FAQ
http://the.earth.li/~sgtatham/putty/0.53b/htmldoc/

You don't need to mount to perform backups but 
If you want to actually mount a remote share check out
tunneling / port forwarding under PuTTY.

Here's more info on mounting a Windows share through a tunnel.
Take a look at "Tunneling SMB through SSH" here...

http://www.eleceng.ohio-state.edu/computing/ssh_win.html#PCSMB