Is it possible to map a network drive through VNC?

BallsOfSteel · 05-07-2008, 08:37 AM

If I'd like to copy a file that I have from computer A to B (not on the same physical network) and one computer is Windows and the other is Linux is it possible to map a network drive through VNC? Maybe there is an easier way to do this?

Thanks in advance,

Brandon

Randux · 05-07-2008, 09:21 AM

I don't understand your question. VNC is really about giving you a remote desktop. It doesn't help moving data around.

You can use FTP to move files back and forth over the net or over a LAN. An easy GUI FTP client for Linux is gftp. A good GUI FTP server/client for Windows is "encrypted ftp"

You can probably find a link to gftp on freshmeat.net. Do some web searches for the windows app.

stlouis · 05-07-2008, 09:25 AM

Brandon,

NO, you cannot Map a Network Drive in VNC, like you can with Remote Desktop (RDP).

Why NOT use Secure FTP.

Download a copy of PuTTY Secure FTP (PSFTP) from:

http://www.chiark.greenend.org.uk/~s.../download.html

You can also use PuTTY Secure Copy (PSCP).

This will get installed on your Windows PC. From there, you can connect and transfer the desired file.

Short of that, you will have to get Samba running and create a workgroup where you can share file/folders.

If you need any more info, let me know.

Hope this helps.

Jeff

stlouis · 05-07-2008, 09:30 AM

The reason I did NOT suggest "FTP", is because neither Windows or Linux configures this service by default... Not to mention the security risks involved with using FTP... And some firewalls can cause problems for FTP...

And NOT to mention that you do NOT WANT to install IIS and WebDAV to configure FTP on windows, as this is just TOO much WORK... Not to mention Microsoft...

Jeff

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Randux · 05-07-2008, 09:38 AM

I think your fears are exaggerated. You don't have to setup an FTP server to use FTP on Linux. Just use a client, as I said. On Winbloze security is a joke anyway. With a good software firewall and router you don't have any worries to use a FTP server like Encrypted FTP.