Best Transfer Method?

[Eric1987]

Whats the best way to transfer large files between computers on my LAN all connected via ethernet?

 

[MustISO]

I use Microsoft Rich Copy or XCOPY or RoboCopy.

 

[Berliner]

FTP, probably.

 

[Eric1987]

I just want them to be able to access my entire computer and vice versa. Which is best?

 

[drebo]

Windows file sharing.

 

[RadiclDreamer]

Windows file sharing.

Second this, but if you are looking for efficiency FTP is your better option

 

[JackMDS]

Make sure that the Software Firewall on each computer allows free local traffic. If you use 3rd party Firewall On, Vista/XP Native Firewall should be Off, and the active Firewall has to adjusted to your Network IP numbers on what is some time called the Trusted Zone (consult your 3rd Party Firewall instructions.

Windows 7 Work Network, http://www.onecomputerguy.com/windows7/windows7_sharing.htm

Vista File and Printer Sharing- http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb727037.aspx

Windows XP File Sharing - http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;304040

Printer Sharing XP - http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/networking/expert/honeycutt_july2.mspx

Windows Native Firewall setting for Sharing XP - http://support.microsoft.com/kb/875357

Windows XP patch for Sharing with Vista (Not need for XP-SP3) - http://support.microsoft.com/kb/922120

Sharing between Windows XP and Mac - http://www.realifewebdesigns.com/web-resources/mac-pc-file-share.asp

When done hard reboot all Network's computers and the Router.

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Permission and Security issues with Vista/Win7, check the following settings.


All users that are allowed to share need to have account on all the computers that they are allowed to connect to.
Everyone is an account, it means a group of all of the users that already have an account and been established as users.
Using the Everyone feature saves the need of configuring permission to each of the established users, it does not mean Everyone that feel that they would like to login.

Users that do not have an account on the computer are Not part of the Everyone Group.
If security on the LAN is Not needed and users are Not established, then switching On the Guest account provides semi-open configuration.


http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/Turn-the-guest-account-on-or-off

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Point to the a Folder that meant to to be share. Right click and choose properties.


In the properties. Click on the Security tab shown in the pic bellow to the right) and check that the users and their permission (shown in the pic bellow center and left) are correctly configured. Then do the same to the Permission tab.


This screen shot is from Win 7, Vista's menus are similar.

http://www.ezlan.net/Win7/Permission-Security.jpg

In both the Security panel, and the Permission panel you have to highlight each User/Group and examine that the Permission Controls are checked correctly.


When everything is OK, Reboot the Network (Router, and computer).

* Note . The Groups and Users shown in the screen-shoot are just an example. Your list will look the way your system is configured.

 

[BrightCandle]

The fastest way, the best overhead way of transferring files is FTP. Its not the most convenient way but it does get the best throughput with the least amount of wasted bytes.

 

[azazel1024]

I just want them to be able to access my entire computer and vice versa. Which is best?

Windows file sharing and turn on jumbo frames on all involved machines (if possible and your networking gear supports the right frame size).

The performance difference between FTP and SMB (2.0+) on a local network is likely to be no more than 1-2% at most. SMB (2.0, please note! SMB1.x DOES have a lot of overhead, 2.0 and later does not) is pretty efficient these days, though not the absolute most efficient. In general it works really well for a lot of things, especially general file sharing, streaming, etc.

Certainly quick and easy to setup.