The best way to share files with external employees?

el_pablo · 06-05-2009, 07:22 AM

Hi,

I'm a total newbie in networking. I was wandering what would be the best way to share files with external employees? I tried with a PPTP VPN on the router with a single employee, but it seems to slow down his internet and our internet also.

Is it possible to share only the files and not the internet?

My server is Windows 2003.

Is there a better way? Or maybe a sync software?

Thanks for any advice

johnwill · 06-05-2009, 12:33 PM

If a VPN is not practical, consider an FTP server to simply allow them to send and receive the files in question. It has a MUCH lower bandwidth footprint.

el_pablo · 06-05-2009, 12:40 PM

Ok thanks for the suggestion. But I'd like to have something synchronized. Do you know any good software that could sync FTP with shared folders?

**tosh9i** · 06-05-2009, 12:40 PM

I don't know if this will work:

http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/gr...656331033.aspx

el_pablo · 06-05-2009, 12:57 PM

Thanks but we don't really work with Office. Actually, we are trying to limit our dependancy on MS products except for OS.
BTW the folder I want to share has a total of 15 GB of content separated into subfolders.

johnwill · 06-06-2009, 09:10 AM

I use FileZilla here.

**sobeit** · 06-06-2009, 10:52 AM

since you said you want to sync but not use office what type of files are you talking about?

el_pablo · 06-08-2009, 08:09 AM

The files are mostly PDFs and JPGs. There are 5 levels of directories. I would like the data to be pratically live.

Or maybe, do you know a website that offers sync file storage.

Thanks again for your help.

cyberdude1006 · 09-09-2009, 03:10 AM

i think using an FTP like FILEZILLA would be the best way to share those files to them....

el_pablo · 09-11-2009, 07:42 AM

So your saying that I should set an FTP server on my file server? Is that safe?

Suncoast · 09-11-2009, 11:29 AM

Since this post was started, FTP is now completely broken for anything except anonymous (guest) access. SFTP (SSH/Secured FTP) and HTTPS have replaced regular, old school FTP for any kind of secured access to files over the Internet.

There are other, more complex options. Most common is to setup VPN access into the Corporate network for employees.

06-05-2009, 07:22 AM	#1 (permalink)
el_pablo Registered User Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 8 OS: XP	The best way to share files with external employees? Hi, I'm a total newbie in networking. I was wandering what would be the best way to share files with external employees? I tried with a PPTP VPN on the router with a single employee, but it seems to slow down his internet and our internet also. Is it possible to share only the files and not the internet? My server is Windows 2003. Is there a better way? Or maybe a sync software? Thanks for any advice

06-05-2009, 12:33 PM	#2 (permalink)
johnwill Manager, Networking Forums Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania, US Posts: 41,042 OS: Windows 7, XP-Pro, Vista, Linux Blog Entries: 1	Re: The best way to share files with external employees? If a VPN is not practical, consider an FTP server to simply allow them to send and receive the files in question. It has a MUCH lower bandwidth footprint. __________________ If TSF has helped you, Tell us about it! or Donate to help keep the site up! Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience

06-05-2009, 12:40 PM	#3 (permalink)
el_pablo Registered User Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 8 OS: XP	Re: The best way to share files with external employees? Ok thanks for the suggestion. But I'd like to have something synchronized. Do you know any good software that could sync FTP with shared folders?

06-05-2009, 12:40 PM	#4 (permalink)
tosh9i TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 3,811 OS: Windows XP	Re: The best way to share files with external employees? I don't know if this will work: http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/gr...656331033.aspx __________________ Tosh

06-05-2009, 12:57 PM	#5 (permalink)
el_pablo Registered User Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 8 OS: XP	Re: The best way to share files with external employees? Thanks but we don't really work with Office. Actually, we are trying to limit our dependancy on MS products except for OS. BTW the folder I want to share has a total of 15 GB of content separated into subfolders.

06-06-2009, 09:10 AM	#6 (permalink)
johnwill Manager, Networking Forums Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania, US Posts: 41,042 OS: Windows 7, XP-Pro, Vista, Linux Blog Entries: 1	Re: The best way to share files with external employees? I use FileZilla here. __________________ If TSF has helped you, Tell us about it! or Donate to help keep the site up! Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience

06-06-2009, 10:52 AM	#7 (permalink)
sobeit TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: NEAR Posts: 7,433 OS: windows/linux	Re: The best way to share files with external employees? since you said you want to sync but not use office what type of files are you talking about? __________________ there's been global warming since the ice age

06-08-2009, 08:09 AM	#8 (permalink)
el_pablo Registered User Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 8 OS: XP	Re: The best way to share files with external employees? The files are mostly PDFs and JPGs. There are 5 levels of directories. I would like the data to be pratically live. Or maybe, do you know a website that offers sync file storage. Thanks again for your help.

09-09-2009, 03:10 AM	#9 (permalink)
cyberdude1006 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 6 OS: XP	Re: The best way to share files with external employees? i think using an FTP like FILEZILLA would be the best way to share those files to them....

09-11-2009, 07:42 AM	#10 (permalink)
el_pablo Registered User Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 8 OS: XP	Re: The best way to share files with external employees? So your saying that I should set an FTP server on my file server? Is that safe?

09-11-2009, 11:29 AM	#11 (permalink)
Suncoast Registered User Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Largo, FL, USA Posts: 386 OS: XPP, Linux, 2003, Cisco	Re: The best way to share files with external employees? Since this post was started, FTP is now completely broken for anything except anonymous (guest) access. SFTP (SSH/Secured FTP) and HTTPS have replaced regular, old school FTP for any kind of secured access to files over the Internet. There are other, more complex options. Most common is to setup VPN access into the Corporate network for employees. Last edited by Suncoast; 09-11-2009 at 11:35 AM. Reason: past tense present