IT Gurus - Setting up server for FTP, remote file access, etc

[duste]

Alrighty, so we're currently trying to set up our main computer at work to be a server the big boss can access files while he's at home down south (drive-in, drive-out sort of thing).

I've tried ServU and FileZilla Server as the servers and NetDrive as the client:

- ServU did work, then didn't, then did, then didn't - and no settings had been changed in amongst the did/didn't, so it's not really ideal given the files need to be accessible whenever the missus' old man needs them.
- FileZilla Server didn't work at all and I spent forever going through port-forwarding and firewall steps to no avail.

- NetDrive is fucking amazing tbh and I'd prefer to use that, or maybe a similar program if there's one out there. I did try FileZilla but that didn't work and it's not as 'user-friendly' as NetDrive anyway.

The server computer is running Windows 7 64-bit Home Premium - I'm not sure whether this is the problem or not but I think Home Premium has reduced "server" capabilities, confirm/deny? But, as I said above, it was actually working at multiple stages, just not consistently. It also has both Windows Firewall and Kaspersky Internet Security (w/ Firewall) running but every application I've used has been allowed through and I even tried disabling them entirely to no avail.

The router is a Belkin N1 jobbie with, as I said, port 21 forwarded (as well as whatever else was required for FileZilla). ServU first worked without port 21 being forwarded, so...nfi?

Everything that is required to be shared is on its own drive/partition, if it matters.

Any one have any suggestions as to what could be causing the issues? Or suggestions as to a proven setup?

[_S9_]

fuck all that messing around with ftp.

Sugarsync.... install it on the server
https://www.sugarsync.com/business/

[duste]

The problem with that, however, is unless it is constantly syncing the files could be outdated which also isn't ideal given our sample registers, test requests, etc... Can't be having different samples with the same sample number.

Accessing the files directly off the computer would ensure they're always the current, up-to-date files.

[duste]

Anyone have experiences with Microsoft's 'SharePoint'? The majority of documents would be Excel spreadsheets with a few PDFs made once report spreadsheets are completed.

Does it allow people to simultaneously work on the same document? That would also be pretty ideal given both our receptionist/office lady and the boss may need to modify documents (like the sample register) at the same time.

[Ryan1080]

Mate, my Trend Micro internet security came with Safe Sync subscription for a year, free. YOu have 1.5Tb of cloud storage. You install the software up on any computer you want to be syncng files with, and as soon as there is a change a file, it updates it immediately.

You can access those files from any computer that has safe sync installed, via my computer, it's basically like another drive. ALso if you are on a different computer with no safe sync, you can just log onto the website and download/upload the files from there. There is even an android app for it too.

Seriously, nothing expensive or complicated, and it just works. Give that a go!

[duste]

Hmm, yeah that "like another drive" is why I preferred NetDrive - it wasn't necessary to open up a specific program (like FileZilla, for example) to view the files.

I'll give both it and SugarSnap a look at tomorrow when I'm in, thanks guys. May just need to set Excel/Word/etc to automatically save every minute or so just to make sure the files are always up-to-date.

[Ryan1080]

Yeah, try it. I have had no problems with it all, and the download speed is super quick. Set it and forget it.

[Lonewolf]

port forward in router
open up windows firewall port (it will be blocked by default)
bobs your uncle

[duste]

port forward in router
open up windows firewall port (it will be blocked by default)
bobs your uncle

But then why would it have been allowing ServU to work in the first place? That's what I'm most puzzled about because I actually had the setup working, then it just died with no changes being made.

Ah well, these cloud sync's look to be the business.

[cplagz]

Because ServU is a piece of shit?

[Milhouse]

I thought windows 7 home edition had big issues with networking ?

[Brod]

Use Thinstuff TS https://www.thinstuff.com/products/xpvs-server/

This will solve all issues.

[duste]

I thought windows 7 home edition had big issues with networking ?

Yup, for instance all the necessary files/folders to be shared across the local network are on a single drive/partition on this main computer, so the easy thing to do would have been to share the entire drive, but no bingo according to Home Premium - I had to create a new folder on that drive, move everything in to there then share that folder...

[duste]

Use Thinstuff TS https://www.thinstuff.com/products/xpvs-server/

This will solve all issues.

That looks complicated as fuck for what I need lol.

[Brod]

Its actually pretty basic it just looks complicated. Like I said it will solve all your problems with the setup you have.

[fourseven]

Anyone have experiences with Microsoft's 'SharePoint'? The majority of documents would be Excel spreadsheets with a few PDFs made once report spreadsheets are completed.

Does it allow people to simultaneously work on the same document? That would also be pretty ideal given both our receptionist/office lady and the boss may need to modify documents (like the sample register) at the same time.

SharePoint is great for this, but it's not a click, install, set and forget sort of product. It requires maintenance and without proper setup you will have no backup/redundancy and the default install is shit to work with.

[zeroyon]

Agree with fourseven.

WSS is free and an option though. Quite powerful.

[Phyber]

Dropbox is another option you could look at if it's just files you need shared.

[Ryan1080]

Dropbox is another option you could look at if it's just files you need shared.

Yeah, was gonna mention that too, Dropbox, Safe Sync, same shit pretty much. No need to worry abotu any maintenance, shit works straight away. And if your house burns down, it's all safe.

[duste]

How secure are these? You have to keep in mind it will be all the business' files... I don't want to just go smashing it on to any random sync server.

[Ryan1080]

How secure are these? You have to keep in mind it will be all the business' files... I don't want to just go smashing it on to any random sync server.


Confidentiality
Data center operated by Trend Micro, no one has access to data on server

24/7 Surveillance
Access to the cabinets and servers is biometrically controlled and always under surveillance

Encryption
Data is transferred between you and SafeSync service using the same AES 256-bit encryption used by financial institutions

Remote access control
You have the ability to share or revoke access to your shared files at any time

Network and server security
Our system uses an industry best practice secure permission structure to safeguard file access, all hosted in our state of the art data center

Firewalls
Defends equipment from cyber attack with multiple firewalls

Load balancers
Ensures constant availability of online backup and file restoration, even in the event of equipment failure

Redundant server and Internet connections
Two copies of data are stored on two separate servers plus two separate service providers connecting the data center ensuring availability of data

20+ years of experience
Trend Micro has more than two decades of experience keeping data safe for consumers, small businesses, government agencies, and large enterprises

Compliance with data protection standards
Data centers are SAS 70 Type 2 certified

Antivirus on servers
All data center servers scan files for malware


http://us.trendmicro.com/us/products/sb/safe-sync-online-backup-storage/index.html?cm_mmc=VURL-_-SB-_-SafeSync-_-safesyncforbusiness

Can't tell you from experience, but I'd imagine it would be safe enough for small business.

People need to get comfortable with cloud computing first. The mining co I work for uses cloud computing for some financial applications, we're fine with it. I'd imagine Trend Micro would be a reputable mob.

[HANS YOLO]

http://www.imexwa.com.au/

^^^ Call David, tell him Chuck sent ya

[fsbk]

sign up for dropbox? you get 2GB free (no idea how much space you need) or you can pay $10/month for 50GB or $20/month 100GB. considering it's all stored securely on their servers, so you wont need off-site backups etc, it's such a small price to pay. to me, it sounds like it would be perfect.

http://www.dropbox.com/pricing

[BassMstr]

If its going to be a happening all the time where people need access to files and emails

Microsoft Online Services - Exchange, Sharepoint etc

http://www.microsoft.com/online/en-au/default.mspx

[Ryan1080]

sign up for dropbox? you get 2GB free (no idea how much space you need) or you can pay $10/month for 50GB or $20/month 100GB. considering it's all stored securely on their servers, so you wont need off-site backups etc, it's such a small price to pay. to me, it sounds like it would be perfect.

http://www.dropbox.com/pricing

Or $79 for the year ($6.50 a month) for 1.5TB with Safe Sync... You get more for less lol

[fsbk]

that's pretty good! never used safe sync but by the sounds of it, it's a winner over dropbox.

[Ryan1080]

that's pretty good! never used safe sync but by the sounds of it, it's a winner over dropbox.

Actually, I just noticed the 1.5Tb seems to only come with the Trend Micro Titanium Maximum Security... I just looked on their pricing site and it's not available to buy seperately. Ah well, might as well get the internet security thing, I think it cost me about 120-140...