How do I use VPN for file sharing?

Hi folks, hope you can help.
I need to find a method for file sharing between my company's two offices, which are not only in different countries but also use both PCs and Macs. I think setting up a VPN is the way forward.
My file server is a Mac Mini running the standard client version of OS 10.5.4, with a static IP, 217.xxx.xxx.xxx. I need the PCs and Macs to access its resources. It is set up to share its files using FTP, AFP and SMB. It is running the application iVPN Server, which I understand is a GUI that makes the built-in OS X VPN Server function available to the client edition of OS X.
I am currently overseas and can connect to the Mac Mini over VPN. The problem is that I cannot seem to access the Mac Mini's files - I don't know what to do having established the VPN connection. I was half-expecting it to show up in the Finder under Shared or something.
The Mac Mini has a local IP of 10.0.1.20, but the VPN Server is issuing an IP to all clients in the range 192.168.2.200 and beyond. Is this where I'm going wrong?
Should the Mac Mini VPN Server also connect to itself, using VPN, as a client?
I'm really stuck, all help is very much appreciated. Thank you!

Thanks for prompt reply Topher..
I am familiar with the Connect to Server window, but I am not sure which IP I should be using. Assuming no VPN connection for the moment, and assuming I'm on a remote network, I can connect to the User's documents folder on the Mac Mini already by typing afp://[username:password]@[static WAN ip]/Documents
However, I need to ensure that SMB shares work (I know they work when I'm on the local network). So I type smb://[username:password]@[static WAN ip]/Documents but this fails to connect to the User's Documents folder.
To make the SMB shares work I think I have to connect using VPN. So I connect to the Mac Mini via VPN, and my laptop is issued a VPN IP of 192.168.2.200. Of course my laptop also has an IP from my local network. Do I need to rearrange my network order in System Preferences?
So I'm now connected via VPN. However to view the Mac Mini's files, surely it also needs to have an IP issued by the VPN Server? But the Mac Mini is the VPN server. So should I go into its System Preferences and set up a VPN connection to itself?
Now back on the laptop and I want to browse User's Documents folder on the Mac Mini using SMB. I go Connect to Server, and I guess I would type smb://[username:password]@[Mac Mini's VPN IP]/Documents
Am I on the right track? Thanks again...

Similar Messages

Cloud storage - how can I use my .png file shared in "public mode" like a hosted file ?

Hi every body,
I am french and new on the forum so please be indulgent ! (for my english and my questions).
I am working on HTML signature for my company and I have a little problem.
to be viewed, my .png files needs to be on a server. So I remember that adobe gave me a 100giga storage for me to use.
Cool !
But the problem is that the link only send me to a special view of my file... a jpeg one. So when I try to copy the url I can only use the .jpg
I want my file !
So my question is : is it possible that the cloud storage isn't supposed to share any thing else than a miniature of my file and a download button ?
How can I use it for my signature if I can't acess it but only download it?
Thank you very much for your time
Morgan

Hi Morgan,
You are correct. Public link sharing works as follows:
- you can share a public URL to your PNG file on Creative Cloud. The recipient of the URL can view a preview of the file and download the file in the original PNG format or JPG format.
- it is not possible to give other users direct access to the original file in Creative Cloud.
For more info on sharing and collaboration options:
https://helpx.adobe.com/creative-cloud/help/collaboration.html
https://helpx.adobe.com/creative-cloud/help/share.html
Thanks,
Elba

Using Automator for File Sharing, including 1Password Question

I'm using 1Password (http://agilewebsolutions.com/products/1Password) on three computers at my shop and instead of using three separate library files I just want one main file/directory/database that all three computers can use, share and update.
So far I've accomplished this by using File Sharing.
It's working fine though when I shut off all three computers and restart I have to reconnect all computers (selecting a 'SHARED' computer on the left of an open window menu and clicking on 'Connect As...' on the top right) to reestablish the linked file.
Is there anyway I can set up a macro using Automator to do this when I turn on my computers?

you don't need automator for this. go to finder preferences->general and check the box to show connected servers on the desktop. then just connect to the remote computers and then drag the mounted volumes from the desktop to your login items in system preferences->accounts->login items. then when you log in the remote computers will be automatically mounted. you can also use a cloud storage solution like Mobileme or DropBox and store the password database file in a central online location.

How to configure Growl notifications for File Sharing and Address Book...

Heya,
So my team and I constantly add new contacts to Address Book and drop files via File Sharing and I would love a way to push growl notifications to people's computers when these actions occur. Or even send emails. Does anyone know how I could accomplish this? If so, can you reference a tutorial or guide of some sort? Thanks!

The export function from iCloud creates one single .vcf file with all the addresses in it. If you click on it on the desktop, it starts displaying each and every address as a separate vCard. However, "Tools/Import...Address Books...vCard file" doesn't do anything.

I am an English teacher, and my school just bought iPads for my students and me. I want to use Dropbox for file sharing and to be able to edit their work on my iPad so that my students will be able to open their work from Dropbox and see my corrections.

I would like my editing marks and comments to save in Dropbox in a contrasting color. The students will then need to be able to open the document and make corrections, then save again to Dropbox. Thanks for any ideas!

Thanks, everyone, for these helpful suggestions. Before we got the iPads last week, we were saving compositions from desktops onto the school server. There was not a problem with the students seeing other students' files, so I didn't password protect them, but there was the issue of copying all their work onto a thumb drive so I could grade it at home. I like accessing files in the cloud much better. Under the previous system, I was also printing out their work and marking it up for the students to correct before I put it on our class web site. Now under this new system, I would like to go paperless, sharing my digital revisions with the students as they perfect their work before I put the final products online. This usually takes 3 or more revisiosns. So far, I have tried the following apps: Quickoffice, Documents to Go, Writeup, Plaintext, Pages, Essay, and Droptext. The students and I have no trouble saving into and retrieving from Dropbox, but there is no good way so far for me to edit their work in color so that they can open up the file and see my comments in order to make their revisions. I do have this capability on my laptop and desktop by using the redlining feature in Word. It's just that I'd rather be able to use my iPad for this purpose. I will check out Evernote.

I just purchased an ATC for my wife for Xmas, and she wants to use it for file sharing. Help??

From an external location (over the interent).........not at home on............Is this doable? Please let me know!!!
Thanks for any help.

There are 3 methods which Tesserax explains here..
https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-3413
The key one being the one Apple designed for easy access, Back to My Mac.. which has been around the place for ages but was updated to iCloud some time ago.
She will need a Mac computer to use for the connection.. that is one limitation.. Another is the TC must be the main router in the network.
If you run into any other issues feel free to ask.. it is never the simple thing you expect because it is unlikely you are using a business account with a static IP.. ISP deliberately work to stop you doing this without paying for it.
A thread like this show that all not sweetness and light even in the BTMM world.
https://discussions.apple.com/thread/3699096?start=0&tstart=0

How to set up a basic file sharing server for my small architectural business?

I have no idea if I have posted in the correct area as this is my first forum post within the apple support community!
I have been using a 21.5" imac running 10.6.8 for the past 5 years to run my small home based architectural design business. I have been using the internal hard drive & backing up the necessary data to a simple usb external hard drive. I am now looking to firstly purchase a new imac 27" retina and purchase new autocad lt 2015 for mac software. I am looking to have another imac (my old mac) running in conjunction with the new mac. I want both macs to be able to access the same data and am slightly unsure what is the best way to achieve this.....As my old mac is currently only running snow leopard and an old version of autocad for mac 2011 it wont run on any more recent OS. Essentially i believe I have 2 main options with this.... (1) I Accept that I have to purchase 2 no. autocad lt 2015 licences @ a cost of £2300. Or option (2), I only run autocad on the new mac as this will be the primary station and the old mac used for primarily for admin & accounts. I have also recently discovered that it is possible to rent autocad licences for £300p/a which may also be another option (3)!
I previously had a problem where my hard drive failed on my mac & lost all data on the internal hard drive, luckily I had been backing up all data regularly to my external hard drive and now loss occurred! Obviously with any new system I want to ensure that my data is safe!
I currently utilise about 250GB of data for business operations but this will obviously grow with time.
In the future I would like to have the option of potentially being able to access the network data remotely via macbook pro whilst abroad although at this stage this really isnt my primary objective. Although I believe I could achieve this through apple remote desktop.
I suppose I should provide some information with regard to the required speed of the system...I regularly open 50-100 photos at the same time totalling around 250-500MB. I would like the system to be able to handle this fairly easily.
I have been trawling through forums and to be honest they are totally confusing me. I have also spent time on the phone to the apple business team and have also discussed my objectives with a member of the apple team in store.
There have been various options advised to me and I really do not know which is the most appropriate route forward.
1 - Using a mac mini as the file server and linking the 2 mac devices to this and backing up the mac mini to an external hard drive to ensure no loss of data.
2 - Using a time capsule as a file server and linking the 2 mac devices to this and backing up the TC to an external hard drive to ensure no loss of data.
3 - Using the new mac hard drive and linking the 2 macs via thunderbolt (old mac does not have thunderbolt and so I guess I would need another new mac?!) and then backing up the data to a time capsule.
4 - Using a RAID based server and linking the 2 no. macs.
Sorry to ramble but any advice really would be greatly received!

Hi sblemings,
Welcome to the community.
I think with your scenario you should ask yourself, how complicated do you want the setup to be and how much time would you have to be able to resolve an issue should one occur with this setup.
All the options that have been advised would work but they come with complexity and therefore time.
1 - Using a mac mini as the file server and linking the 2 mac devices to this and backing up the mac mini to an external hard drive to ensure no loss of data.
2 - Using a time capsule as a file server and linking the 2 mac devices to this and backing up the TC to an external hard drive to ensure no loss of data.
3 - Using the new mac hard drive and linking the 2 macs via thunderbolt (old mac does not have thunderbolt and so I guess I would need another new mac?!) and then backing up the data to a time capsule.
4 - Using a RAID based server and linking the 2 no. macs.
Sorry to ramble but any advice really would be greatly received!
option 1
Would be a way to achieve what you want, it would centralise your files and you would only need to backup your file server (as long as all the files you wanted backed up were on it). This could be achieved either using the client and sharing various folders or using Server which would give you more options than you would possibly need.
option 2
This is exactly like option 1 except that you wouldn't have to administer another mac however you may limit any future growth.
option 3
This option I probably wouldn't pick, you could achieve this with firewire and use a firewire to thunderbolt adapter (saves you having to buy a new iMac)
option 4
This option would, depending on your RAID level, give you disk redundancy but remember you would still need to back this up, as RAID is NOT a backup solution.
I would also ask is there a pressing need to keep the old iMac in service and complicating things by having a server / NAS? Could you not just transfer all your information over to this and continue with the one backup? I would say that doing it this was would be the simplest way of achieving what you want from what I can take from your question.
As for remotely accessing your data, if you have the right hardware the way to achieve this would be to use a VPN and connect back to your data. However a potentially easier way for you ,would be to use a service like logmein or teamviewer to connect back.
Hope this helps, and by all means any questions please ask.
Dan
How to set up a basic file sharing server for my small architectural business?

Can you use Airport for internet and Gigabit Ethernet for file sharing?

i would like to complicate my network setup by using my Airport connection to the internet for internet access and then use the Gigabit Ethernet connection between my G5 tower and the MacBook Pro for file sharing, Compressor's distributed rendering, and possibly iTunes music/video sharing for Front Row.
is this possible? could i just run a cat 6 cable between the two and network them together? or do i need to get a Gigabit Switch?
i suppose i could just try running the cable between them and see what happens. i don't think these new machines require cross-over cables since the ethernet ports auto-detect that now, but is a cat 5e or cat 6 cable required for Gigabit speed?
thanks,
scott
PowerMac G5 2.5GHz Mac OS X (10.4.5)

Yes it would work. The Ethernet network would be used for local file transfers and the Airport for internet. However you will need to make sure Ethernet is at the top of the list of network ports in the Network Preferences.

Mac 10.5.8 unable to connect to Mac 10.4 for file sharing purpose

I'm currently using Mac 10.5.8, when i tried to connect to my friend Mac 10.4. It just show connecting status only. My friend already turn on the file sharing. Firewall turn off. Restarted and tried again also no use. His machine able to connect to my machine for file sharing. Previously we able to do file sharing for both way, but now only one way work (his can connect to mine). This problem happen since 2 weeks ago.
I will appreciate if any Mac expect can give me some ideal how to resolve this problem.
Thanking you in advance.

Are you doing this local or over the net(ports opened on router/modem?)? And try connecting by menu bar, Go, Network if you are currently trying by menu bar, Go, Connect to Server. And what does System log show by Console or Terminal. This is Leopard connecting by LAN to my Tiger machine:
AFP_VFS afpfs_mount: /Volumes/dpp, pid 6533

MacBook air not connecting to iMac for file sharing

Hello, I have a 2012 MacBook Air running Mavericks.
I am trying to connect (for file sharing) to an iMac also running Mavericks.
File sharing is turned on on both computers. File sharing used to work fine before the upgrade to Mavericks.
Both computers are on the same network. I can ping the iMac from the Macbook. I see the iMac listed on the sidebar of my MacBook's Finder as a Shared drive.
Both computers have iCloud turned on.
However, when I click on the iMac in the Macbook's Filder sidebar, it shows up as "Connection Failed." I click on "Connect As" and nothing happens--no pop up window, nothing.
On the MacBook I am able to use Finder->Go->Connect to Server, enter my iMac's IP address and file sharing works (I can access the files). But when I go to some other local folder and come back to the iMac server, again I cannot see the files. Then I have again do Finder->Go->Connect to server, etc.
(On a different MacBook Pro on the same network I had the same problem, but when I clicked on "Connect As" it asked me to choose a user id and password, and I was able to connect using my Apple ID. However on the MacBook Air I am unable to click on "Connect As.")
Any suggestions on how to fix this will be very much appreciated.
Best,
ADD in HK

Sorry for the delayed update. This is issue is resolved by configuring my router to operate on Channel 11.
Looks like my router could operate on Channels above 11 like 12, 13, etc, whereas Macbook Air could recognise only till Channel 11.
Once the router was configured to use only Channel 11, my issue got resolved.

How can I use music for ringtones on my iphone 4?

How can I use music for ringtones on my iphone 4?

You can take any MP3 file that it 40 seconds or less and change the file extension to M4R. Then drag it into iTunes. It will appear under Ringtones and transfer over next time you sync,

Use Ethernet for file transfers to iMac?

Hi -- In earlier Powerbook use I used to like using the "Target Disk Mode" to drag files from my laptop to my desktop machines, but of course my new MacBook has no firewire.
is there anyway to connect my MacBook to my iMac using an ethernet cable, to drag sel;ect files from the portable to the desktop machine? I've got some multi-gig files I need to shuttle back and forth occasionally, so it's pretty tedious to chug along via wireless . . .
Any other suggestions for most convenient means of shuttling big files?
Thanks

Yes, you can use Ethernet to transfer files via File Sharing. If you have a home network then you can share files over your home network whether it be wired or wireless. You can also create a computer-to-computer network by connecting two computers directly via Ethernet cable.
Select Mac Help from the Finder's Help menu and search for "file sharing." Search for "network" to find an article on computer-to-computer networks.

Lion administrator setting changed to read only for file sharing. Now hung machine

I was trying to network my Mac with a WIndows 7 machine and tried to have my name in the file sharing read write instead of other users such as administrator when I changed the administrator to read only for file sharing rights and could not add my name as a file sharing user with read write permissions Really silly move
I have performed a repair of disk permissions however still hung.
Whats worse is that my time machine for the last three days has been disconnecting when backing up leaving a partially complete backup. Backup failed. I also left a apple support community message a few days ago to solve it.
So its critical
Timely HELP is needed.

This same problem happened to me, all the sudden one day my mac decided to revert to the original standard root username and password which I obviously did not know. In order to change this:
1) Activate single user mode on reboot as by pressing cmd + s as your computer starts up. Make sure you do it right away, and keep the keys pressed down.
2) Where the cursor pops up, type exactly
+/sbin/mount - uw/+
3) When the next cursor pops up type exactly
passwd
4) Then you can type any password you want (now changing the root password to be what you want)
Note you will not be able to see what you type, but the text is being recognized
5)The computer asks for you to retype the password, retype it
6) Type reboot
Once the computer restarts you can navigate to system preferences>accounts> and then unlock the account (lock is located on the bottom left corner) using Username: root and the password you just set. Henceforth, you can appoint your account as the administrator. Hope it works!

Extreme blocks out ethernet computers for file sharing.

Gentlefolks,
I am very hopeful I can get a solution suggestion for my issue. I don't know networks very well.
I get on the internet via DSL modem to a 2wire <something> that runs into a internet hub (switch it seems to be called now!) I have three Macs that are hard wired to the hub with the 2wire <something> providing addresses using DHCP. I have an Airport Extreme base station (the dome shaped guy) running connected to the hub using the LAN, not the WAN, connection on the base station.
I use a Macbook Pro on the network fine. When I take it to wireless, it can get to the internet just fine. I can even print using Appletalk. BUT,,, I can not see any of the other computers that are on the ethernet for file sharing. If I just connect up my ethernet on the Macbook then everything works just fine. Using the wireless shuts out the other machines.
Any suggestions?

A switch may or may not have an uplink port. IMHO uplink ports are outdated and not really useful since most devices have auto-sensing Ethernet ports.
A hub routes all traffic to all ports. This means that devices see a lot of traffic which is not for their use. Think of it like the old telephone party lines where you could hear anyones conversation because it was broadcast to everyone.
A switch is an intelligent hub. It knows what devices are connected to what port and routes traffic destined for a device ONLY on the port to which that device is connected. Therefore a switch reduces the traffic on any given port. Think of it like today's (private) telephone lines where you only get the calls which are for you and you can't hear calls made to your neighbor.

How to Provide search Help for files on Application Server

Hi Guys,
               Can anyone tell me How to Provide search Help for files on Application Server. I have put a file name on selection screen. I want to give search help for files on application server.
Thanks & Regards.
Harish.

Hi Harish,
Use the following code,
tables sxpgcotabe.
data: lt_execprot LIKE btcxpm OCCURS 0 WITH HEADER LINE,
        w_filepath(60)       TYPE c, --> length depending on your Directory path.
SELECT SINGLE *
    FROM sxpgcotabe
         WHERE name = 'LIST_DB2DUMP'
           AND opsystem = sy-opsys.
IF sy-subrc <> 0.
    SELECT SINGLE *
      FROM sxpgcotabe
           WHERE name = 'LIST_DB2DUMP'
             AND opsystem = 'UNIX'.
    IF sy-subrc <> 0.
      MESSAGE e000 WITH 'External operating system command '
                        'LIST_DB2DUMP not found'.
    ENDIF.
ENDIF.
sxpgcotabe-parameters = p_filepath. --> provide the directory path.
CALL FUNCTION 'SXPG_COMMAND_EXECUTE'
       EXPORTING
            commandname                   = sxpgcotabe-name
            additional_parameters         = sxpgcotabe-parameters
            operatingsystem               = sxpgcotabe-opsystem
       TABLES
            exec_protocol                 = lt_execprot
       EXCEPTIONS
            no_permission                 = 1
            command_not_found             = 2
            parameters_too_long           = 3
            security_risk                 = 4
            wrong_check_call_interface    = 5
            program_start_error           = 6
            program_termination_error     = 7
            x_error                       = 8
            parameter_expected            = 9
            too_many_parameters           = 10
            illegal_command               = 11
            wrong_asynchronous_parameters = 12
            cant_enq_tbtco_entry          = 13
            jobcount_generation_error     = 14
            OTHERS                        = 15.
IF sy-subrc <> 0.
    MESSAGE e000 WITH text-e01 p_filepath. "Directory failed
ENDIF.
Loop round the directory list, split each line up into a line table
and get the last data for each line, should be the filename
Then build the dirlist.
REFRESH t_dirlist.
LOOP AT lt_execprot.
    REFRESH t_dirline.
    SPLIT lt_execprot-message AT space INTO TABLE t_dirline.
    DESCRIBE TABLE t_dirline LINES w_nolines.
    READ TABLE t_dirline INDEX w_nolines.
    MOVE t_dirline-data TO t_dirlist-filename.
    APPEND t_dirlist.
ENDLOOP.
Here you will get all the files in the directory mentioned in Application server.
For displaying them as a Search help use the FM '/BMC/ZPOPUP_GET_VALUE'
Pass the Internal table to this FM.
Regards,
Paul.

How do I use VPN for file sharing?

Similar Messages

Maybe you are looking for