Windows file access over the internet...

[imported_Septimus]

Hi there,

I'm primarily a web/database developer but am getting into some Win2003 Server administration simply because some of my clients now require didcated hosting.

The issue I'm facing is that I'm not sure of the best way to allow multiple clients to connect to the server to manage their web sites. I've usually done this via SFTP, which IIS does not support, and I'm not comfortable with login information going over regular FTP. Which seems to leave me two options:

- Install a third-party FTP server that can handle SFTP (or SSH tunneling), or:
- Come up with some other way of letting clients access the server -- VPNs?

This problem is hardly unique, so I'm curious: what are the common solutions? SSH tunneling seems straightforward enough, I suppose.

Thanks,
Samuel Knowlton

 

[BigJohn]

You can look into WebDAV for remote file access. You would create a virtual directory under IIS, and the folder permissions of the target are inherited. The next step is allowing WebDAV to run (under IIS manager as well). If you use SSL it's a pretty secure way transferring files.

EDIT: After re-reading your post, I'm thinking WebDAV isn't going to fit. You are probably better off running a sftp/scp app.

 

[imported_Septimus]

WebDav is actually what I have started to do. It doesn't seem as fast as a nice FTP setup, but it works - particularly as there aren't a whole lot of developers that need access to the machine, I'd feel a little silly running a lot of extra services for it.

Just out of curiosity, what are the reasons not to use Webdav?

Thanks for the help--
SK

 

[imported_Septimus]

Anybody?

 

[JackMDS]

http://www.webdrive.com/products/webdrive/index.html

:sun: