I have a computer in Phoenix (with a static IP address) that has a
data file on it that I need to
access with an application on my computer in Austin.  I could easily
map to this file if both computers were on the same LAN, but they're
not.  How do I use file sharing to access this file over the Internet?

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Request for Question Clarification by lazerfx-ga on 13 Aug 2002 09:07 PDT

Do you have to use file sharing, or would you accept another method of
information transfer (Specifically, FTP - File Transfer Protocol,
which is designed for this sort of use)?

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Clarification of Question by aaric-ga on 13 Aug 2002 09:54 PDT

Unfortunately FTP won't work.  I need read/write access to the file in
real time rather than batch mode.  Ideally what I'm trying to
accomplish is the exact analog of Windows file sharing except over the
'Net instead of a LAN.

Thanks,

Aaric

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Request for Question Clarification by netcrazy-ga on 13 Aug 2002 10:20 PDT

Hello,
If you are fine with what omniscientbeing-ga has recommended, then I
can tell you  a solution, which is totally free and will require just
a couple of settings. Once you start this program, you can share the
other PC as if you were working on that one with full access.

Do let me know.
Thanks
netcrazy

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Request for Question Clarification by wengland-ga on 13 Aug 2002 11:47 PDT

We're going to have to know what OS you're running - Windows, Mac or
Unix?  If Unix, you're fine.  If Windows before Win2000, you can use
Tunnelier to forward port 139 (Windows file sharing) over SSH2 between
the two machines.  If you're running Windows 2000, I'm hesitant to say
what will work.

BitVice.com - File Sharing over SSH2 for Windows
http://www.bitvise.com/file-sharing.html

Greetings!

We're going to assume you are running Windows of some kind.  If not,
please ask for an answer clarification.

The solution is to create a VPN (Virtual Private Network) between the
two machines.  The problem is, most VPN software assumes you'll be
connecting to some big server at Corporate HQ, not to another desktop
machine.

However, PGP (Pretty Good Privacy), a free encryption program, offers
VPN software that works for Peer to Peer connections, and works with
all Windows versions from 95 to XP and 2000. It creates an IPSec
tunnel between two machines, allowing them to act as if they are on a
local network.  This should solve your problem.

Background reading on VPN, IPSec:

Comparison of the various IP Tunneling Protocols, from the Intranet
Journal by Julie Bort: 
http://www.intranetjournal.com/foundation/tunneling.shtml 

Software:
Avoid all the McAffe fluff by dowloading directly from this link:  
http://download.nai.com/products/freeware/pgp/windows/version_7.03//PGPFW703.zip

You'll have to install it on both machines, and set up the VPN on both
ends.

If you aren't running Windows, or need further information, please
request clarification before rating this answer.


Search Strategy:
windows file share IP peer to peer vpn
://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&ie=ISO-8859-1&q=windows+file+share+IP+peer+to+peer+vpn


Further Reading:
PGP Freeware version 7.0.3 Readme:
http://rmarq.pair.com/pgp/announce/pgpfw703.txt 

PGP 7.0 Users Guide, from PGP International
http://www.pgpi.org/doc/guide/7.0/en/win/

Introduction to Cryptography, from PHP International
http://www.pgpi.org/doc/guide/7.0/en/intro/

International Download Locations for PGP
http://www.pgpi.org/products/pgp/versions/freeware/

Another method of sharing data files between 2 PCs would be with a
remote access program such as Symantec's pcAnywhere, which retails for
about $180. However, the pcAnywhere app. needs to be installed and
configured on each PC (Host and Remote) and configured. If you
routinely need to share or synchronize files between the 2 PCs, and
might like to share more than one file in the future, pcAnywhere is a
reliable solution. Also, the internet connection type must be the same
on both PCs--dial-up to dila-up or DSL to DSL, but not DSL to dial-up.

What operating systems are you using?

Are both PC's on a LAN?

What software are you using?

Do you have a firewall?

Just a few question that will make it easier to give a working
solution for your environment.

just one more question: what type of internet connection do these pc's/lan's have?

If you're running UNIX, NFS over SSH will work.  If you are running
Windows, PC Anywhere is the best bet.  If you are running Mac OS 9, I
have no idea.

Good luck!

Remote control software won't work because the host user needs to be
able to work on her machine while I access this data file.  The best
option would be to have something akin to mapping to a shared file
that Windows handles very well over a LAN.  I just don't know how to
identify/gain access to a machine over the Internet.

Both machines are using shared DSL connections and different ISPs.

Comparison of the various IP Tunneling Protocols, from the Intranet
Journal by Julie Bort

http://www.intranetjournal.com/foundation/tunneling.shtml

Fancy!  PGP Freeware version 7.0.3 seems to offer IPSec VPN
connections for peer to peer file sharing.  Read about it here:

http://rmarq.pair.com/pgp/announce/pgpfw703.txt

and download the client software from Network Associates here:
http://www.pgp.com/products/freeware/default.asp

Grr. Avoid all the McAffe fluff by dowloading directly from this link:

http://download.nai.com/products/freeware/pgp/windows/version_7.03//PGPFW703.zip

Dear aaric,

gotomypc has a free trial that you may like to try

https://www.gotomypc.com/tr/NC/DE/ht_0809V6sh/g22lp?Target=mm/g22lp.tmpl

Regards,

May be try using webfolders... if it fits in your situation then will
be the cheapest solution.