Windows only: Freeware application HFS (HTTP File Server) makes it dead simple to run a server to share files from your computer over the web. All you have to do is run the application on the computer with files you want to share, then selectively pick files or directories you want to allow access to. In addition, you can even upload files to your HFS server from elsewhere. You’ll need to set up port forwarding for port 80 on the computer running HFS and then either remember your public IP address (which may change) or assign a name to your home server (for free) so it’s easy to remember. HFS is freeware, Windows only, and weighs in at a svelte 550KB. HFS Advanced mode even supports user accounts.
HFS [via Download Squad]Upload and download files on your home PC from anywhere by turning it into a personal FTP server. With a home FTP server, you can upload and download files on your home hard drive from the office, your friend’s house or to your laptop while you’re on the road using any FTP client. Setting up an FTP server may sound like a complicated undertaking only system administrators can handle, but it’s actually quite easy and free with open source software FileZilla. You’ve already heard of FileZilla’s FTP client application, but the FileZilla project also offers a server application for Windows. Today we’ll build an FTP server on your Windows PC with FileZilla for easy file transfers from any computer.
Macworld has discovered that there’s a lot more functionality hidden in Leopard’s new Screen Sharing application (yes, it’s actually just a normal application and not some obscure service), and unlocking it is just a matter of a couple of simple Terminal commands. First, you’ll want to find the Screen Sharing app in /System/Library/CoreServices and drag it into your Dock or copy it to your Applications folder for easier access. Once you do that, fire up Terminal and enter the following (one-line) command, which will provide easy-to-read shortcuts for connecting to any local computer: defaults write com.apple.ScreenSharing ShowBonjourBrowser_Debug 1
Now run the Screen Sharing app and you should see an interface similar to what you see in the screenshot above. But that’s not all. The next Terminal tweak adds toolbar buttons to the Screen Sharing window to control the quality of your session, window control, and a few other useful tweaks.
Web site YouGetSignal scans your external IP address to let you know which ports are being successfully forwarded through your firewall and which ports are closed for business. Whether you’ve set up your own home server or gotten down and dirty with BitTorrent, chances are you’ve had at least one run-in with port forwarding, the process that lets computers outside your network through your firewall to access your computer. If you don’t know how to set up port forwarding but would like to, check out our guide.
Port Forwarding Tester [YouGetSignal]Linux only: The Ubuntu Unleashed blog has a great tutorial on remote controlling your Linux system—even through a Java-enabled browser. Here’s the whole deal:Install packages. Code: sudo apt-get install x11vnc vnc-java Set up a password for clients. Code: x11vnc -storepasswd Open up ports 5800 and 5900 on your firewall Run the terminal command: x11vnc -forever -usepw -httpdir /usr/share/vnc-java/ -httpport 5800 and add it for auto-starting in future sessions
That third step isn’t quite so simple, but luckily we’ve covered that ground before. The same warnings and disclaimers about running a VNC server in that link above apply here. While the guide and code are written from an Ubuntu users’ perspective, the packages and commands, possibly with a little tweaking, should be available in most distributions. Windows and Mac users can get help setting up their own VNC connections through this guide. Setup VNC Server for Ubuntu Gutsy Gibbon in 3 Easy Steps [Ubuntu Unleashed]
Mac OS X only: If you run any kind of server on your Mac with Leopard, you’ll dig its revamped Sharing and Network System Preferences panels, which offer new features in a reorganised interface. One huge drawback in Tiger is that unless you install extra software, you can turn on Windows Sharing for your home folder only. No more. Using Leopard, share any folder on your Mac via FTP, Samba, or AFP (Apple Filing Protocol), from a single, easy interface. Take a closer look after the jump.
