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Some files are just
too big to send via e-mail. However, you don't have to resort to
burning a CD and snail mail. We review the options for getting large
files from here to there.
Have you ever needed to send someone
a large file
such as a Photoshop or
ISO image?
If you have, you know it isn't as simple as it sounds. However, when
a file's size makes it too large to send as an e-mail
attachment,
there are other options. However, many times they more complicated
and usually take longer to setup. As a result, a task that should be
fairly easy to accomplish becomes a project in and of itself.
Recently, I needed to send a file that contained a couple of hundred
megabytes of data, so I couldn't transfer it via e-mail. I could
afford the time it would take to
burn a
CD and
mail it to the recipient. I was forced to try and find another way.
The most efficient thing I could
think of was to post it on an
FTP server
for downloading. FTP, for those of you not be familiar with it,
stands for File Transfer Protocol. It
uses the Internet's
TCP/IP
protocols to transfer files between computers. FTP is often used to
transfer Web page files from their creator's computer to the hosting
provider. FTP is also commonly used to
download
programs and other files to your computer from your favorite
shareware sites. |
Key Terms To
Understanding How to Transfer Files
file
A collection of data or information that has a name, called the
filename. Almost all information stored in a computer must be in a
file.
attachment
A file attached to an e-mail message.
burn
Slang term meaning to write data to a CD-ROM.
FTP
Short for File Transfer Protocol, the protocol for exchanging files
over the Internet. |
The problem was that I didn't have access to
an FTP server from
my home office, which meant I would have to setup one from scratch.
The biggest drawback with this approach was that while it's not necessarily
hard to set up an FTP server, it is time-consuming. Also, while this method
works for me, it does require a some technical savvy. Plus, in order for it
to work, you'll need to modify your
router's (and
possibly your PC's)
firewall to allow it to pass FTP
traffic over your
network.
Other File Transfer Methods
So what other options are there? Well, I could have used a
remote access
application such as Go To My PC, but I didn't necessarily want to
give a complete stranger access to my PC. Plus, I would have had to sign up
for for Go To My PC's service at a cost of $20 a month.
Obviously, neither of these represents an ideal solution, but of the two,
the FTP server was the better choice for me, so that's was what I did.
However, about two weeks later, I was recounting my story to a colleague and
he mentioned a couple of easier ways for me to accomplish the same thing,
without the complex configuration or firewall modifications.
The first option involved a concept that was first introduced about six or
seven years ago, but then sort of faded away. However, in recent years,
online storage has been making a come back and today is more popular then
ever.
Think of online
storage as a personal hard drive on the
Internet. The
way it works is simple: You log on to your personal storage site via any Web
browser and upload your files. Once on their servers, your data is not only
accessible from anywhere, but will also be backed up on a regular basis. So
never again will you have to worry about losing your precious data due to
theft, fire or other damage.
Two of the most popular online storage services are provided by Xdrive
and iBackup. These two services are similar in operation and pricing,
offering you up to 5GB of storage for about $10 a month. A free 30-day trial
is available for you to evaluate each service first hand.
How Xdrive works: After you upload a file to your Xdrive, you use the "Send
a File" feature to send an e-mail to the intended recipient. The e-mail
contains a link to the file stored in your Xdrive. All the recipient needs
to do is click on the link to locate and begin downloading the file. This
file is even further compressed to help increase downloading speeds.
The other option works in a similar fashion, but instead of storing your
files online, you actually keep your files on your PC and allow the user to
download it straight off of your system. There are numerous offerings
available in this category, but one of the best ones I've found is available
from a company called Avvenu.
The Avvenu service is based on the company's patent-pending technology in
media routing and managed peer-to-peer content access and distribution.
Using Avvenu you can share your files among multiple users. The sharing
happens directly, from your computer. Simply locate the file you want to
share, specify for how long you want the share to be available and with whom
you want to share it. It's all done automatically and securely. The Avvenu
service lets you have up to four computers registered with the system. That
means that your home computer, office computer, laptop and Media Center PC
can all be accessible to you remotely.
The service works with all file types, including Word documents,
spreadsheets, photos and even music files. Speaking of which, for you music
aficionados, Avvenu will allow to not only access your MP3 files, but stream
them to a remote location. So you can enjoy your collection no matter where
you are.
Now the number one question associated with any service of this nature is,
"Is it secure?" Access to your PC is managed by Avvenu, which ensures that
only the people you authorize can access your pictures and files. In
addition, all communication between your PC and remote users take place over
an encrypted Web browser using a Secure Socket Layer (SSL) [define]
connection. Remote users are assigned read-only access to your system,
minimizing the possibility of a user accidentally deleting or modifying the
files stored on your system. However, all the files can be downloaded for
editing. You can suspend access at anytime, and you can even track which
files that have been accessed.
Best of all, the Basic Avvenu service is free, allowing you to access all of
your files, from anywhere, any time as long as your computer is turned on
and online. And unlike some "free" applications, Avvenu will (supposedly)
not bombarded you with
spam, put advertising messages in your e-mail or reveal your
registration information to third-parties. And like Xdrive, Avvenu does not
require any modification to your network or firewall.
These products offer you more than just the capability to store files and
you should check them out for yourself to discover what else they can do for
you.
|
Did You
Know...
FTP is similar in
operation to the Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP), which
transfers displayable web pages and related files, and the
Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP), which transfers e-mail.
FTP is without question the simplest way to exchange files
between computers on the Internet. |
By Ron Pacchiano
Adapted from
PracticallyNetworked.com
Last updated: October 27, 2006
PracticallyNetworked.com 
PracticallyNetworked.com
provides easy-to-understand help for small-network builders. The site contains
how-to information for setting up and debugging home-office and small-business
networks. Users can also find extensive troubleshooting information, tips on
getting applications to work through firewalls, product reviews on network
hardware and software, and more.
Setting Up an
FTP Server - Part 1
An FTP server is an inexpensive and relatively simple to operate tool that works
great for sharing files over the Internet. Learn how to install, configure, and
operate an FTP server in this week's Q&A.
Setting Up an
FTP Server - Part 2
FTP servers are inexpensive and relatively simple to operate tools that work
well for sharing files over the Internet. In this week's Q&A, learn how to
upload files to and download files from your FTP server as well as how to open
up ports on your firewall for allowing Internet users to access your FTP server.
Avvenu
Avvenus free basic service gives you a direct route to your stuff, whether its
your music collection, your photos, or your documents. And that route is open to
friends too, whenever you choose to share your stuff. All you need is a cell
phone, PDA, or even someone elses computer, and youre ready to get your stuff.
PracticallyNetworked.com Discussion Forums
If network connections,
sharing computers, router problems or other networking issues are bogging you
down, then the PracticallyNetworked.com discussion forum is the place to be.
Here you'll find help and support for all your network-related problems.
SSH Secure Shell for Workstations
SSH Secure Shell for Workstations makes it easy and convenient to transfer files
between your local computer and the remote host computer (server). You can
upload and download files by using an intuitive, graphical user interface
similar in functionality to Windows Explorer.
WinPlanet: FTP Applications
By typing 'FTP" in the search box, you'll get a listing of FTP programs you can
download for free. |
