if i set up ftp on my home linux computer so i can send files home
while on the road, do i need to know the home boxe's ip address?
my isp gives me a dynamic ip address, not static. i'm also behind
a router. actually, i give all my home boxes static addresses behind
the router. i guess it's the router that must be getting the dynamic.
no wait. how does this all work? how do i know where to ftp to?

Hi.

You'll have to do three things (well, 4 really):
1: Install your FTP server.
1.5: Make sure it's secure.
2: Configure your router to forward incoming FTP connections to the machine that's running the FTP server.
3: Find a way to keep track of your home IP address.

No. 4 could be handled by writing a script to query your router (and publish the IP address on a web site or something, or mail it to a web based email account or something), or you could look have a look at http://www.dyndns.org/ . If your router's a Netgear effort, then it's probably already compatible with dyndns's service. If it's not then there may be a piece of software available which can use dyndns.

Dave

thanks dave. the box in question is already set up hosting a couple
of small, low-traffic websites and is using ddclient from the dyndns
site. suppose i might be able to log onto dyndns from on the road
and check my ip address. will look into it.

thanks again.
BabaG

Hi again.

You can ftp through your dyndns name, so you don't have to look up your IP, you can just use your assigned name.

Have a look at the address of the 'Free House music' link in my sig.

Dave