[laytonsdad]

I have an xp machine that needs to be connected to via the web as a file server. how do I go about this if I have a dynamic Ip from my service provider.

[modi123_1]

Well FTP's not a secure way.. probably something ssh.
http://sshwindows.so...et/information/

You can get a free dns to route to your pc with a text name and not number.
http://www.dyndns.com/
http://freedns.afraid.org/

Do you have to use windowsxp or can you throw something like ubuntu on the box?

[RudiVisser]

Most importantly, if you have a router, you will need to setup the port forwarding / static route from your router to the PC running the file host.

[laytonsdad]

modi123_1, on 28 July 2011 - 11:31 AM, said:

Well FTP's not a secure way.. probably something ssh.
http://sshwindows.so...et/information/

You can get a free dns to route to your pc with a text name and not number.
http://www.dyndns.com/
http://freedns.afraid.org/

Do you have to use windowsxp or can you throw something like ubuntu on the box?

Would Ubuntu server be a better option? I just need to make a file server for the web that is secure. There is a static IP.

[no2pencil]

Why use Ubuntu? It's a graphic desktop distribution & in my opinion is a horrible idea for a server.

I would recommend something like CentOS, Fedora, or even a BSD such as FreeBSD, OpenBSD, or NetBSD.

Ubuntu will get the job done, but their updates are horrid & taxing, & there really is no point (again, in my opinion) in using a desktop distribution for a server.

[RudiVisser]

no2pencil, on 31 July 2011 - 01:27 AM, said:

Why use Ubuntu? It's a graphic desktop distribution & in my opinion is a horrible idea for a server.

I would recommend something like CentOS, Fedora, or even a BSD such as FreeBSD, OpenBSD, or NetBSD.

Ubuntu will get the job done, but their updates are horrid & taxing, & there really is no point (again, in my opinion) in using a desktop distribution for a server.

Ubuntu Server is not a desktop OS nor does it come with a GUI.