Acessing my files while away.

Message

protex · Post by **protex** » Thu Aug 17, 2006 2:18 am

Hello there. I've recently set up a server, just finished setting up NFS today. I asked around in the Gentoo IRC channel what would be the best method for me to be able to access files on that server while away, whilst securely.

One person mentioned a passworded, encrypted webserver. I was wondering if anyone could point me in the right direction on how to do this? I'm assuming it involves Apache, something I have no experience with =).

Thanks in advance guys.

nahpets · Post by **nahpets** » Thu Aug 17, 2006 2:32 am

What's wrong with SSH? You can access your files over SFTP etc. If you're in Windows, you can use FileZilla to connect and transfer files back and forth. That what I do...

James Wells · Post by **James Wells** » Thu Aug 17, 2006 2:51 am

Greetings,

You mention that you are doing NFS. Since most ISP's won't route NFS/RPC, you will be unable to use this normally, however, if you are intent on doing NFS, I would suggest setting up openvpn. Openvpn will allow you to use NFS through the VPN tunnel.

If, instead, you are open to other mechanisms, I would recommend looking at SHFS or even better, iFolder. SHFS is the easier of the two to set up, simply configure sshd on the server and use the SHFS client on your remote machine to mount the server via ssh. iFolder is a much better solution as it is truly cross platform, but takes a bit more work to configure.

protex · Post by **protex** » Thu Aug 17, 2006 3:20 am

James Wells wrote:Greetings,

You mention that you are doing NFS. Since most ISP's won't route NFS/RPC, you will be unable to use this normally, however, if you are intent on doing NFS, I would suggest setting up openvpn. Openvpn will allow you to use NFS through the VPN tunnel.

If, instead, you are open to other mechanisms, I would recommend looking at SHFS or even better, iFolder. SHFS is the easier of the two to set up, simply configure sshd on the server and use the SHFS client on your remote machine to mount the server via ssh. iFolder is a much better solution as it is truly cross platform, but takes a bit more work to configure.

Hey there, I just mentioned that I had finished setting up NFS today. I do not need to use it for this project, anything will do. What's your opinion on setting up a webserver? I need to be able to access this anywhere, even libraries, whom restrict you from using any sort of software aside from a browser.

James Wells · Post by **James Wells** » Thu Aug 17, 2006 3:34 am

protex wrote:Hey there, I just mentioned that I had finished setting up NFS today. I do not need to use it for this project, anything will do.

Sorry, guess I misunderstood.

What's your opinion on setting up a webserver? I need to be able to access this anywhere, even libraries, whom restrict you from using any sort of software aside from a browser.

Setting up a web server to allow read only access is simple, however, if you need the ability to write, then you are talking about webdav as well, which can add a bit more complexity. iFolder is still an option here as it can be accessed via a web browser.

It really depends on what you are wanting to do. If you are doing this for your personal music/video/photo collection in read-only mode, then a simple webserver is the way to go. Is only like 3 - 4 lines of Apache configuration.

If you are doing this for homework / work-at-home, then iFolder or a webdav / webserver system is the way to go.

If you are doing this is for a public file server, then you want to use a combination of ftp and web server.

If you are doing this for programming, then a cvs / cvsweb system is the way to go.