Easiest way to transfer large files from one computer to another over internet?

Hey, looking for some ideas on large file transfer.

I am helping a friend get into video editing and he does not live near me, so we are struggling to trade files back and forth so I can tutor him and work on some stuff and send it back.

I would like to know what method or software would easily and safely let us transfer large files back and forth from computer to computer so we can stop having to upload them to a 3rd party site that takes forever and often forces us to break the file into smaller pieces.

My ideas so far is FTP server, I use a FTP client all the time but I know there is a server version available. I just dont know that I really want to do this and I may have issues with my dynamic IP.

The other idea is a private torrent or a torrent with password locked content, but I think that getting my friend to properly create a torrent and setup his client to upload to me quickly may be just as much a hassle as what we are doing now.

Is there any smart way to do this like a software like Team Viewer or LogMeIn that connects 2 computers but also allows full speed data transfer? (For all I know one or both of those programs may do just that I have not looked into it yet)

 

Ftp server is your best bet since the only thing he has to do it copy the address you are going to give him and paste it either in a folder address bar or in the browser ( ftp://user: pass@yourip: port [ignore the spaces]). Plus it takes less than 3 minutes to setup

 

FTP server would be a little difficult to set up if you never did it before. However, the simplest and free FTP server to use would be freeFTPd. Otherwise, I would try TeamViewer or Hamachi.

Personally, I just use AOL Instant Messenger or Windows Live Messenger to transfer documents and pictures to friends.

 

Just for the heck of it grabbed Team Viewer and sure enough there is a file transfer mode and super simple (easier than FTP) have not tried it out yet to see what the speed is like.

This probably is better than FTP since we can both send/get files easier this way. If I find a big speed difference though I will still look into FTP or another program.

Does Windows Live Messenger support files 5-20GB in size? lol we are working with RAW files.

 

I think you overestimate the difficulty of ftp servers I use this one for simple tasks, it has like 10 options to set up ? which 80% you don't even need to touch Plus you can allow multiple connections from the same IP which allows the other side to use download accelerators (IF its needed) to get max speed.

 

For larger files, I would probably use FTP because you can resume download if you get disconnected. However, it really depends if the FTP server supports this feature.

 

Id be using Filezilla as my ftp server, its the same that I use as my client. Always liked it and its free.

 

i was sending out full dvd images over msn, so yes, it works

for easy access

1) go to dyndns, register viciousxusmc.dyndns.org, download the client onto your system.
2) install your filezilla ftp server or what ever ftp server on what ever system you want to.
3) go to your router, and map the ftp ports to that system. make sure firewall on router and system are not in the way.

that should be enough for him to be able to connect to ftp://viciousxusmc.dyndns.org and access the served folder of choice.

he, optionally, could then even install some sort of sync client, to always get the files synced to his system. i use alwaysync as i have a license for it since years. other options exist.

 

I have a no-ip dynamic ip sniffer already running that I use to host my mumble server that should work just fine to give him for a url for the ftp.

I still have not tested team viewer yet but want to try that first, I like how you do not even have to install the program it can be run as a portable .exe and just do its thing. This would be good for him if he needs to send me something from a work computer that may not be best to install stuff on, and it seems to be very good about getting around firewalls and stuff.

I like the MSN messenger idea too since it will let me know when he is online and we can chat (is MSN messenger and Windows Live Messenger the same thing? I have not used chat programs since I was young and had AOL and also used what was MSN back then as a secondary messenger but I guess its just been updated and now called Windows Live Messenger)

 

when ever it gets to the internet, everything works fine. teamviewer is great indeed.

 

I normally using hosting service websites to transfer files.

There a couple who can give you enough space for free, like dropbox or mediafire, but as long as you don't go above the maximum capacity of one file (for free users) you can upload as many file as you want.

At least your friend can download at full speed also when you are not online, and you can always set your files as private until your friend will download them, eventually you can erase them.

 

he can download at full speed BUT has to wait until you uploaded it.

 

you can try a VPN network

 

This is the worst way to do it.

Usually slow upload, usually slow download, limited file size and it adds a un-nessisary middle man.

These are designed to share files with mutliple users and host it for you, not to be an effective means to transfer a file to just one person one time.

 

just got news about that project:
FTPbox | Sharp Mind Projects
it's like dropbox, but with an own chosen ftp server (which could be at your home in your case).
but beta still

 

Very interesting...

I will try this as well ...

 

I know its not really good for media / video viewing, but what about some type of remote desktop, where you can both see the same desktop (win7 remote assistance). tutoring in real time would be nice.

 

check your ISP to see how much free ftp space you already have.......

I have 50Gb on my Comcast account.

 

teamviewer.

 

I use Binfer regularly. It would suit your purpose quite well. It does direct computer to computer file transfers.

 

I will try it as soon as I got home!