A common problem for home and business users alike is how to access files when away from the computer. Typical scenarios:
There are a number of remote access options available, each with different strengths and weaknesses. They fall into four categories: Cloud Drives, File Replication, VPN, and Desktop Streaming. We’ll discuss each below with an emphasis on free options.
The easiest, most common, and the recommended method is to use a "cloud drive" like Dropbox, Google Drive, SkyDrive, etc. These services work by mirroring all (or part) of the files in a given folder onto the Cloud and onto any other computer connected to the same account.
For example, suppose I have an office computer and a home computer. I set up a cloud drive on my office computer. The drive puts a special folder on my computer. Any files I put in that folder get synchronized to the Cloud. This means I can access the files any time through a web browser. I also install the cloud service to my home computer and log in to the same account. Now all of those file also get replicated on the home computer.
Any changes to any of those locations get synchronized to the others. For example, if I change a file on my home computer, it updates both the Cloud drive and the same file on my office computer.
To use Enterprise Organizer Pro with a cloud drive, just make sure your cabinets are in the special folder.
If you’re just needing your office network files on a laptop, you can replicate the files to the laptop. Here are a couple of ways to do this:
Windows has an "Offline Folders" feature which creates copies of the network files on your computer. When you disconnect from the network, the files are still available to you, including the right network drive letters. When you reconnect to the network, Windows will synchronize your local cache against the network files.
Microsoft now has a free utility called SyncToy. It synchronizes files between two computers. The advantage over Windows Offline Folders is that it is more configurable and has some very flexible options. It is also easier to use, and is reportedly less flaky than Windows Offline Folders.
A Virtual Private Network (VPN) is a way to connect to a remote network across the Internet. Once connected to the network, it is as if you were attached to it locally. The connection is established through a secure, encrypted "tunnel" to keep it private. Once you’ve connected to your network through a VPN, you can enjoy all of your network drives and even printers just like you would if you were at the office.
Many VPN solutions exist. Most networks these days are protected with firewalls, and most firewalls have built-in VPN capabilities. For offices that use Windows Small Business Server, the server comes with some very helpful VPN setup routines.
Hamachi is a free VPN facilitator. You install the Hamachi client on each of the computers you want to connect together. A very simple tutorial shows how to create a new network and join the machines to it. Hamachi then takes care of connecting the machines to each other. It is as painless as VPN gets. From that point on, however, it is up to you to map your network drives, etc.
Desktop streaming is simply a way to access your other computer remotely. Think of it as remote control. You can see the other computer’s display on your screen. Any work you do is happening on the other computer. This works wonderfully for most purposes.
Windows XP and newer have the ability to share their desktop across the Internet. Specifically, you "log on" to a remote computer from another computer. This lets you use the remote computer as if you were sitting at it.
NOTE: Combining Windows Remote Desktop with a VPN, like Hamachi, is an excellent option. You have remote control of your computer over a VPN, and it doesn’t require a fixed IP address (Hamachi provides this for you).
This is essentially the same as Windows Remote Desktop while overcoming many of its shortcomings. You install a small utility on the computer you wish to connect to, then you set up a username and a password. To connect to the computer from a remote location, you only have to open a web browser to www.logmein.com, enter the username/password of the computer, and it connects you. The computer’s display appears in the browser window.
This is essentially the same as LogMeIn, but it has been around longer.
A number of years ago, Novell developed a utility called NetDrive that would map an FTP server to a local drive letter. For example, suppose that your office is willing to make all of the network files available via FTP. Using NetDrive, you could connect to the office FTP server and map it to a drive letter, such as p:. To access office files, then, you simply browse your p: drive. Novell no longer maintains or supports NetDrive, but it is still widely available on the Internet.
Article ID: 144
Created On: Mon, Oct 28, 2013 at 12:35 PM
Last Updated On: Fri, Jul 4, 2014 at 1:51 AM
Authored by: KB Admin01 [[email protected]]
Online URL: https://kb.quikbox.com/article.php?id=144