Networking a PC

[jadyn]

I run a small business from home and also employ four technical specialists on an ad hoc basis to provide me with advice as the need arises during our projects. I have a new PC in my home office running Windows 7 with a two external HDD's attached for archived project files.

I need my colleagues to be able to access the project files on my computer and external drives when the need arises. As I spend many hours out on the road, I'm not at home to send them what they need manually, so they must be able to access the PC remotely from their own computers, close on 100 miles away.

I haven't got a clue how to set something like this up or what it's called, so I'd be very grateful for any advice about how to do it. The only other things I can add is that we all have different IP's and we're not all on Windows 7. Finally, excuse my naivety, but does my PC need to be switched on for the files to be accessed remotely?


Thanks

[Buenchico]

Your PC needs to be switched on and connected to the internet.

The easiest way to do what you want is to use a service such as GoToMyPC. It will cost you £11.99 per month or £107.99 per year:
https://www.gotomypc....pl?Action=rgoto&_sf=2
(There's a 30-day free trial so you can see whether it works for you and your colleagues before subscribing).

Chris

[ChuckFickens]

There are questions that need to be answered first....

And although I'm not 100% discounting Chris's suggestion it may not be a practical solution as only one person would be able to access the computer in your office at a time (including you if you were at home)

If you can answer the follow questions I'll be able to better advise,,

1) how large are these project files?

2) what speed and type of internet connections are we talking about each end here?

3) what router do you have.

4)What version of Windows 7 do you have (home or professional)

[VHG]

I would get a NAS (Network Attached Storage). A NAS is always on.

A NAS plugs into your router and becomes a network drive, but more importantly some NAS drives also include capabilities for people remotely to add files to the NAS and get files off the NAS.

You can set up security on the NAS so people have to logon before they can get files, and you can also setup individual folder (password protected) for each person.

Note you can get a NAS for as little as £99, but these dont have many feautes so I would spend a bit more and get a decent NAS (a few hundred pounds).

The Synology DS110J got good reviews (their entry level model), more here

http://www.synology.c...ucts/DS110j/index.php

Note this only takes 1 hard disk (not included) but it may be better to buy one that takes 2 hard disks so they can "mirror" each other for extra protection in case one fails.

[VHG]

Here is a reasonable introduction to NAS devices. Is it American but most of the info applies (except prices of course)

http://www.pcmag.com/...0,2817,2354173,00.asp

This UK baed site reviews a lot of NAS devices

http://www.expertreviews.co.uk/network-storage

[VHG]

Note that NAS devices are small computers in themselves, and most run Linux (although you never "see" Linux as you usually administer it via a web interface).

Microsoft have also got a "NAS" solution called "Windows Home Server".

This runs on a "normal" PC but is always on. Again it plugs into your router and becomes a network devices.

You can use it for all sorts of things: backup device, media server, remote access device and so on.

I have never got round to installing it so cant say if it is "good" or not, but if you are used to using Windows it may make sense to have a Windows based NAS in your network.

More here

http://en.wikipedia.o...i/Windows_Home_Server

http://www.microsoft....meserver/default.mspx

[The Builder]

I hope the guys don't mind me sticking my nose in.......... but I'm just interested.
A couple of low-tech things ........ my ISP offers the facility of data storage for small business on their own servers. I guess password access could be arranged for other users to get at it?
Also, I've started using Dropbox.com for odds and ends.
Just wondered what you thought :o)

[ChuckFickens]

With respect VHG the question is about people accessing the data from a remote location and whilst using NAS would avoid the OP having to leave their computer on permanently it will do nothing to assist in accessing the files.

The obvious answer here is to use VPN's to create a secure tunnel into the main network using either the VPN features built into the OP's router (if it has such features) or by setting up a direct VPN straight into the windows box. either way would enable the files to be accessed as if the remote workers were on the local network with the main computer (obviously dependent on internet speeds)

(p.s. I personally would, and have in the past, do it using a stand alone PC with linux on it being both the windows (SMB) file server and dealing with the incoming VPN's)

[VHG]

>on permanently it will do nothing to assist in accessing the files.

Surely a NAS with built in FTP server (and a supplied web interface) WOULD help them get the files.

And if the NAS is always on the poster would not need to leave their PC on all the time.

[ChuckFickens]

Yes and no.

although a FTP server would enable the files to be downloaded using one would create a couple of other (possibly larger) problems.

1) basic security. FTP is not secure and all passwords and information is transmitted in a clear text easy to read format. while this is fine for downloading publicly available stuff such as manuals putting anything that may be in anyway even the slightest business critical or confidential on a FTP server would be a bad plan.

2) having to keep 2 separate copies of the files, one of the FTP server and one on the OPs computer meaning that could very easily get out of sync with each other unless a very robust method is found to keep those files in sync. (ok you could make the FTP root a SMB share as well, but see above for security issues and make it lots worse if the FTP root is also a general share)

Although I agree a NAS would be handy just to save the computer having to be on all the time it really will not provide any benefits that are suited to this use in other ways.

[jadyn]

Ooerr, I had no idea things could get this complicated! Thanks for all the comments so far.

[MarkRae]

Personally I would favour the suggestion from The Builder.

GoToMyPC is superb - I use it all the time. However, as has been pointed out, this would mean that the OP's machine must be permanently on. Not a problem ordinarily, but he says that he's often out for long periods of time, so an Internet outage or a power cut at times like that would mean, essentially that his business grinds to a halt.

Remote data storage, in whatever form (dedicated ISP, GoogleDocs etc) solves this instantly...