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Easy Windows Networking with Leaf
Posted by Kevin Purdy at 12:40 AM on November 6, 2007
Windows only: Need to grab files from your home computer or quickly set up a friend's computer for file sharing? Leaf, a peer-to-peer application, creates quick and simple VPN connections between machines. Install and run the software, create a user account and click the "Share" tab to get started. As with most networking products that aren't SSH or similarly encrypted, one shouldn't share sensitive information over something like Leaf, but it could make for an easy way to share files, printers and even network drives. Leaf is a free download for Windows XP and Vista and requires Microsoft .NET framework.
Tags: downloads | featured | featured windows download | file sharing | home network | remote desktop | vpn | windows
Comments (AU Comments · US Comments)
There are currently no AU comments for this post.
geek22
Posted 2:56 PM 5/11/07
Does this require opening ports in the router ?
geek22
David Sikes
Posted 12:30 PM 5/11/07
It sounds like hamachi but less feature rich, considering hamachi ssh tunnels by default, but I'll check this out too.
David Sikes
2kreative
Posted 12:28 PM 5/11/07
@Kubota: Pretty much - but you can't beat hamachi for ease of use.
2kreative
Ken Lee
Posted 11:36 AM 5/11/07
All Hamachi communications are encrypted and authenticated with industry-standard algorithms.
I think I'll stick with that instead! Leaf does look better and looks like there are more features. I won't jump on the bandwagon until I see some form of security.
Ken Lee
djxspike
Posted 11:36 AM 5/11/07
All I care about is can you share iTunes across it. Hamachi stopped working for me and my little brother who lives 30 miles away has been dying for some new music.
djxspike
Kubota
Posted 11:30 AM 5/11/07
So it's like hamachi but more feature-rich?
Kubota
anthonylitz
Posted 12:08 PM 6/11/07
Well did anyone try it out yet? What do you think, better than Hamachi or not?
anthonylitz
puravida
Posted 10:50 AM 6/11/07
It seems in hamachi's premium verison you don't get encryption. They say "This feature is intended for improving the performance of Hamachi network transfers under a load and in situations where even slightest latency is bad."
So it seems to me Leaf give you something for free that Hamachi charges for...
Some other differences I noticed:
- You can not connect 2 or more xbox's with Hamachi
- Your ip address follows you and is not tied to the machine
- Leaf will be releasing a DLNA router so your media receiver and see other members media servers
- Once you are connected to another machine with Leaf, you are not wide open. Once you share, only certains ports are opened on the Leaf Network Adapter
puravida
bennyb
Posted 2:54 PM 6/11/07
Does this require opening ports in the router ?
bennyb
obbyyoyo
Posted 11:30 PM 6/11/07
Did anybody else notice the Privacy and Terms of Service links on the [signup page]? I was surprised to see them pointing to [Google].
obbyyoyo