Peer to peer file transfers between two computers

[Lyris]

Hi forum,

LIke everything involving networking, I just can't find a simple answer to this.

I'm here in New York with a nice fast fiber upload speed - 40mbps up.
The computer I'm trying to beam data to in the UK has a fast download speed -65mbps.

So - how do I transfer files from my machine here to the UK one using the 40mbps? Any recommendations for services/software?

Can I set up an FTP client on the UK side to connect to? Any better/faster way? Everything I've tried so far hasn't worked.

[smouty]

I use Bitorrent sync http://www.bittorrent.com/sync
It uses the BT protocol which may not be suitable if you connection is filtered but it is secure and fast.
Is a VPN an option?

[Lyris]

I've tried Bittorrent sync but it doesn't use anywhere near the full bandwidth of my connection. This is a home connection, BTW, which gets 40mbps up on Speedtest.net, not some sort of managed office connection. Any idea what could be wrong?

Can you explain VPN to me in child-like steps?

[smouty]

With a VPN you create an encrypted tunnel into your home network so everything works as if you are on your local network.
You need a VPN server on the network you are connecting to but some routers and NAS boxes do this today.
Types of VPN include PPTP, LT2P or OpenVPN.

If you aren't getting full speed it is likely that traffic shaping is affecting the speed.

[randombs]

If you want a quick and dirty VPN you could try installing TeamViewer which is free. Here's a tutorial for setting up VPN:

http://www.smartpctricks.com/2013/05/28/how-to-setup-configure-free-vpn-virtual-private-network-with-team-viewer-vpn-client-software/

I'm not sure if the Teamviewer VPN is direct PC-PC or if it goes through their servers somehow.

If you're using Windows 7:

http://www.pcworld.com/article/210562/how_set_up_vpn_in_windows_7.html

There's also an open-source thing called PortFusion which looks good but may be quite tricky to set up:

https://github.com/corsis/PortFusion/#use

[charlesr]

If your router doesnt have a vpn option, buy one that does. Its great.