Uploading to a home server from across the country?

[monster10888]

Hi,

I am currently settting up a home server for the parents as a back up. I am using their old, slow comp. to do so and was going to try using Ubuntu, but after trying to set everything up, feel I will be more comfertable with Windows.

What I am wondering is if I can connect to this server with my rig that is across the country when I get back. And if I can upload files to it, such as movies and music for them to download. I am not sure how I would go about this or what steps I would take once I get back to my comp. and try to connect to their server. I'm not even sure how I would connect to their server other than a remote desktop program.

Any help is appreciated, thanks.

 

[MartinWilson]

When you say 'remote desktop program' do you mean gotopc or something similar? That is a possibility.

You could use Microsoft Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP), but your parents machine must be using the following Operating Systems:

Windows 8 Pro or Enterprise - http://winsupersite.com/windows-8/windows-8-tip-use-remote-desktop
Windows 7 Ultimate/Professional,
Vista Ultimate/Business
XP Pro/MCE


You then need to set up some port-forawrding, assing your parents' router supports it
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/allow-remote-desktop-connections-from-outside-your-home-network


Hope this helps

 

[Hawkeye22]

You can also use teamviewer.

http://www.teamviewer.com/en/index.aspx

 

[monster10888]

I was looking at using something like TightVNC but I'm not sure if I can upload files from my comp. to the server with it.

I just also did some research and Microsoft Sync Toy looks like a viable option.

Is there anyway that I can directly connect to the home server, or do I have to use a third party program?

 

[Hawkeye22]

If you are willing to pay, hamachi might be a solution. It depends on if you are looking to take control of a machine (remote desktop, teamviewer,...) or share resources (drives, printers,...).

https://secure.logmein.com/products/hamachi/default.aspx

 

[Beachnative]

The low buck approach:
Your end:
Use the free FileZilla Client to upload to them.
At parents end:
Take the "old machine" and put a free FTP program on it. HERE is FilleZilla
Remember to set the old machine with a static IP and set your port forward for FTP to it in their router.
Remember to set the port forwards for RDP, Tight VPN or Teamviewer also in their router.
Just how old is old with regards to this machine? What is the OS?

 

[monster10888]

I'm not interested using printers or anything, just want to connect to this server.

The server machine is a few years old. It's pretty slow, so that's why I built a new one for them. The to-be server (Old comp.) has Ubuntu on it right now, but I'm planning on putting Windows on it tonight since I feel it will be easier for me (and them) to use. The HDD is 250GB, which is enough for what it's needed for.

FilleZilla looks like the program I was looking for. I could use that to upload the files and use a remote desktop program just to keep it neat and any troubleshooting needs.

I'll get the server set up and see how it goes.

 

[Hawkeye22]

Depending on the version of windows you have, remote desktop can do file transfers too. Just go into options/local resources, click the "more" button and select the drives you want to share. You can then just drag/drop files between systems using the normal file explorer.

 

[Beachnative]

Depending on the version of windows you have, remote desktop can do file transfers too. Just go into options/local resources, click the "more" button and select the drives you want to share. You can then just drag/drop files between systems using the normal file explorer.

If the OS supports RDP then for small files it's OK to do that but if sending large files and you don't want to play babysitter waiting to send files then FTP might be the answer.. It will reconnect automatically if the process is intruptedas per the reconnect settings, RDP will not...

 

[MartinWilson]

I was looking at using something like TightVNC but I'm not sure if I can upload files from my comp. to the server with it.

I just also did some research and Microsoft Sync Toy looks like a viable option.

Is there anyway that I can directly connect to the home server, or do I have to use a third party program?

You can directly connect to the home server using the method I explained earlier. The prerequisite is using Windows Operating Systems.
😉