Quick way to transfer files using modems without servers
 

I have a desktop and a laptop, both running Linux (RH9 on desktop, Deb something on laptop). I want to transfer files from the desktop to the laptop (a few GB worth), and the only port they seem to have in common (that I have cables for) is the modem phone port. My CD burner on the desktop died a while ago, so I'm looking for a quick'n'dirty way to transfer data to the laptop - or perhaps one big .tar file of everything.

I don't want the complication of setting up networking stuff I'm only going to use for a few minutes. Is there some quick way to send the data out one end and receive it at the other? I was trying to figure out if I could use pipes/redirects on /dev/modem, but was baffled.

My attempts at searching for answers only found networking posts and articles, so I apologise if this has been covered.

Modems don't work without a Telco and two telephone lines.

You don't have serial ports? Because you could probably set up a connection that way with a null modem cable.

I just tried it using a serial line and null modem, with zmodem, and the serial ports set to run at 115200 baud. It took 90 seconds to transfer 1MB (~ 11KB/s). Extrapolating, that means ~24 hours for 1GB...

~sind

Turned out to be easier using tar and a USB memory stick. Thanks anyway :)