networking - How to connect 2 Routers to share files but not internet?

08
2014-07
  • J Durdy

    I've looked everywhere for how to do this but I can't really find a full answer.

    My neighbor and I share a lot of files between each other, Videos, Music, game saves, etc.

    What I'd like to do is be able to share files on the same WLAN/LAN but still use our separate WAN/Internet connection.(Id' love to be able to combine our internet connections too, but from what I've read that's not gonna happen with the hardware we have)

    I can't run a Ethernet cable because of logistics, so it has to be done via WiFi.

    I've looked into putting DD-WRT on my Linksys E900 router and I'm pretty sure I'm going to do that regardless. I just really need a shove in the right direction to figure this out. I'm sure it's unnecessary but this is how our networks are set up currently(sans the wifi actually bridging the networks)

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    • Answers
  • daboss42

    My suggestion would be to start a FTP server of the files that you wish to share and share them over the internet, as far as I know, without dual radios/SSID's and some crazy setup or a VPN, which would be over the internet there is no better way.

  • Jason C

    Not sure how much data you are sharing but you could consider DropBox. Then you can just sync a folder on your local filesystems; and anything you put in that folder will show up on your friend's machine. The free service gives you 2GB of storage. The $10/mo service (which I have and love) gives you 100GB.

    Another option is a VPN, one of you can get a VPN router and the other connects. Then it behaves as if you are on the same LAN, and you can use your favorite network filesystem. I'm not very knowledgeable in VPN setup though, and you will have to take some extra steps to still allow use of your own internet connection (see Why does connecting to my work VPN cause my internet to not work? for a Windows solution).

    If you're willing to spend money, for $250 there is this Wifi bridge with a 3-mile (!) range. You'd need line-of-sight. You'd still have to take care to separate your internet connections (if you have multiple network interfaces in your computers this part is easy, or you could add USB wifi dongles and have a dedicated wifi network in your houses for it) - I'm sure there's well-established ways to set that up but again, I'm not a big IT guy.

    The FTP server setup is another great idea. You wouldn't have the middleman that you have with DropBox and you wouldn't have to pay for the service. Whoever is running the server can use a free dynamic DNS service to give you a consistent host name instead of memorizing an IP. The remote user can mount the FTP server as a drive, the person running the server can share convenient folders.

    Another quick hack (giving Windows an example but any network filesystem will do) is to have one person set up a Windows share, use DynDNS or share your IP address with your friend, and open UDP and TCP ports 445 (I think). Then your friend will have access to your shared folders. I can't speak for the security of this.

  • Rich Homolka

    Have you looked into BitTorrent Sync? It seems to be your best fit.

    You both install. One of you creates a new share folder, generate a key. The other creates a new share folder, uses the key from the first user. Files are now automagically synced. There's some decent code in it for getting through firewalls and NATs and such.

    Upside, no router craziness, you just install files for both of you. There are clients for most OS'es, including iOS and Android. And it's all local non-cloud (DropBox does fingerprinting of certain files). There's even a way of getting a plugin for FreeNAS. There's no FTP uploads. You "upload" or share by copying your file to a normal folder. You can have multiple share folders. One for your personal stuff. One for your neighbor share, etc. Recent versions also do pic backup from iOS (maybe android too). You can even share from a distance - take your movies on the road on vacations. Want to add a third? Give them the key.

    Downside (maybe) these are copies of files. You'd both have these big files on your machines. (Though mobile OS versions don't automagically download files).

    All media being licensed of course


    • Related Question

    wireless networking - How to provide free connection with limited bandwidth (dd-wrt firmware)
  • Shiki

    I've got a pretty badass router (okay, not that good, but not bad: TP_link TR1043ND), with DD-WRT firmware. My connection is about 90/35mbps which is also pretty good.

    I want to provide a free access point with limited bandwidth. The range is really huge so anyone could use it even on the street and I'm fine with that. But I don't want everyone to download their porn from my wifi every day from the street. I don't want to bandwidth limit them.. so let's say they can use 1gb, BUT speed limit them. They can sleep before my house if they want, I dont care... but don't make my connection slow/useless. :)

    So.. how could I do this? Basically a public network+limited bw is what I need.


    • Related Answers
  • KronoS

    DD-WRT has built in options for configuring hotspots. There are three that I know of:

    1.Chillispot

    • Easily make the wireless or lan-connected computers display a 'landing page' on user's browsers.
    • Redirection occurs on the first web page, and until the user clicks through (I Agree/Login).
    • Optionally earn revenue from your hotspot.
    • Provide a WiFi usage agreement, advertising or other neighbourhood or commercial activities.
    • Pro-active over-use prevention:
    • Limit the bandwidth, up and down, hotspot-connected laptops or desktops can use.
    • Limit the number of times within a given period hotspot users can log in.
    • Other fine-grained limitations.
    • ChilliSpot can be used for single router, or extended with the use of external services to cover an entire metropolitan area.

    2.Anchor Free

    Which is similar to Chillispot but is advertising based.

    3.SputnikNet

    SputnikNet is the super-flexible, web-based management and captive portal authentication system for Wi-Fi hotspots and hotzones. Manage one or thousands of hotspots with SputnikNet. SputnikNet enables you to:

    • auto-provision Wi-Fi access points (APs) by plugging them into broadband
    • manage Wi-Fi APs centrally, over a secure Web connection
    • design captive portals with your brand
    • authenticate users and devices for free or paid Wi-Fi
    • track usage by access point and Wi-Fi end user

    Each of these are already installed on the DD-WRT flashed device. Setup is pretty easy, and here are the guides:

  • Pexsol

    You can also give Tomato firmware a thought as it has some features which might help you. We are using the Toastman build and it has exactly what you require w/o any complicated configurations or Qos settings as needed in DD-WRT:

    Access Restriction Overview

    You can restrict access to your AP by IP/MAC and even assign the timings/days for restriction. For example, you can allow your trusted IPs to bypass this limit and rest can enjoy the free internet for a set time period or just Sundays!

    Bandwidth Limiter - QOS

    You can define your own trusted IP Ranges/MAC ids to bypass this limit while rest of the people accessing your AP will be restricted.

    There is also a Captive Portal Management so your guests can see your banner or something when accessing.

  • MaQleod

    Look here for a QoS article with ddwrt, you will want to do it by IP address. Provide public access to a specific IP range and then apply QoS to that range.