How to map an offsite FTP drive, i.e. not connected to local network.

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steven2986

May 8, 2018
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Hi I was wondering if anyone could help me.

Im self employed and thus need to ensure my files are securely backed up offsite from work. What i want to do is be able to access my ftp drive attached to my router at home as if it were a normal drive on my work computer, which is an offsite computer separate from my home network.

I can use the ftp address to access the files on the HD however i cant setup a sync via synctoy to backup the files.

Does anyone know how to map a drive offsite across the internet?


Thanks in advance.
 
Solution
Solandri
FTP is a really old protocol, created during a simpler time when many of the consequences (drawbacks) of its design choices weren't yet understood. You're going to encounter massive problems trying to use files shared via ftp as if they're a drive attached to your computer.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File_Transfer_Protocol#NAT_and_firewall_traversal

On top of that, ftp's login and password are sent as cleartext (unencrypted). So anyone snooping any of the networks between your work and home ISP could grab your login and password, and have full access to your ftp server and all your files. So what you're trying to do will not work very well, and is a massive security hole.

Instead of making the contents of your HDD available...
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bill001g

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Aug 9, 2012
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Likely be easier to find other software that will sync files using ftp. There has to be a application that will work for you, ftp existed for years before microsoft existed.

Mounted drivers are using a different protocol to connect and transfer the data. It is like 2 people speaking a different language you can not just connect them.

You might consider using a vpn then you can directly mount the drives and all your traffic is encrypted. Sharing drivers directly over the internet is not advised. Even FTP unless you are using sFTP is not real secure either.
 
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Solandri

Solandri

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Jan 4, 2012
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FTP is a really old protocol, created during a simpler time when many of the consequences (drawbacks) of its design choices weren't yet understood. You're going to encounter massive problems trying to use files shared via ftp as if they're a drive attached to your computer.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File_Transfer_Protocol#NAT_and_firewall_traversal

On top of that, ftp's login and password are sent as cleartext (unencrypted). So anyone snooping any of the networks between your work and home ISP could grab your login and password, and have full access to your ftp server and all your files. So what you're trying to do will not work very well, and is a massive security hole.

Instead of making the contents of your HDD available over the Internet via ftp, make it available on your LAN. Set it up as a network share. SMB/Samba is the most common (basically a Windows share). Though if you're using Linux you might want to opt for NFS. Make this share available only on your LAN.

Then get a router which can act as a VPN server. You can then use the appropriate VPN client at work to connect to your home router. Once that connection is made, you'll have full access to your home network as if your work computer was on your home LAN, including Windows and NFS shares.
 
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