Using Remote File Access to Save Disk Space on Your MBA - Page 5

Tomple · Jan 27, 2011, 10:30 PM

Wow, thanks for this. Incredibly useful feature, which i completely overlooked. Well written guide as well.

Thanks

jgould · Feb 9, 2011, 06:17 AM

One thing I did was connect to frequently accessed volumes on my Mac Mini and create aliases for them. I did this for both the local and remote shares and then dropped them in a folder and added it to my dock...

I'm planning on getting one of the new(ish) 11" Airs and have been prepping for it for the last few weeks... Now if only my tax return would show up...

Gom33 · Feb 24, 2011, 09:23 PM

So I set file sharing between windows 7 desktop and 13 air. When I connect with my air it shows the pictures folder that i am sharing, but for some reason it does not show my music folder??? I have no idea why.

Any help is greatly appreciated

ZenoVT · Mar 13, 2011, 06:50 PM

Has anybody gotten this to work accessing shared folders from a windows 7 server to a macbook air using connect to server?

I did every step the OP suggested, but it keeps failing to connect.

I have only been successful connecting to my shared win7 folders when I'm on a local network using smb://computername-pc.

I've tried doing so with OP's method then using both afp://externalIP and smb://externalIP, but failed to connect on both attempts.

The exact error is:

Connection failed

There was an error connecting to the server
"xx.xxx.xxx.xx". Check the server name or IP
address, and then try again.

If you are unable to resolve the problem contact your
system administrator.

jgould · Mar 13, 2011, 09:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZenoVT

Has anybody gotten this to work accessing shared folders from a windows 7 server to a macbook air using connect to server?

I did every step the OP suggested, but it keeps failing to connect.

I have only been successful connecting to my shared win7 folders when I'm on a local network using smb://computername-pc.

I've tried doing so with OP's method then using both afp://externalIP and smb://externalIP, but failed to connect on both attempts.

The exact error is:

Connection failed

There was an error connecting to the server
"xx.xxx.xxx.xx". Check the server name or IP
address, and then try again.

If you are unable to resolve the problem contact your
system administrator.

Make sure that you have the ports for SMB open on your router. SMB and AFP do not share the same port number, and I don't have the numbers off the top of my head. Just be forwarned that SMB is rather insecure compared to AFP.

ZenoVT · Mar 14, 2011, 12:05 AM

I've tried to port forward 137-139 and 445.

jamesryanbell · Mar 23, 2011, 11:15 AM

This is HUGELY helpful. Thanks so much for taking the time to post this.

soulreaver99 · Jun 5, 2011, 10:37 AM

Instead of putting the ip adress to the router, put the address to the device of the server, for example 192.168.1.2. I ran into that problem too.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZenoVT

Has anybody gotten this to work accessing shared folders from a windows 7 server to a macbook air using connect to server?

I did every step the OP suggested, but it keeps failing to connect.

I have only been successful connecting to my shared win7 folders when I'm on a local network using smb://computername-pc.

I've tried doing so with OP's method then using both afp://externalIP and smb://externalIP, but failed to connect on both attempts.

The exact error is:

Connection failed

There was an error connecting to the server
"xx.xxx.xxx.xx". Check the server name or IP
address, and then try again.

If you are unable to resolve the problem contact your
system administrator.

sjrogers · Jun 22, 2011, 04:53 PM

Why would anyone pay $25 a month for iTunes Match when they can do this?

jayhawk11 · Jun 28, 2011, 01:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sjrogers

Why would anyone pay $25 a month for iTunes Match when they can do this?

Because it's easier? Granted, this isn't difficult, but you could have said the same thing about any services that MobileMe/.Mac/iTools offered.

Going a little further, iTunes Match isn't necessarily designed for the same thing as what you're doing here. Remember, iTunes Match is not streaming.

Baycity · Jul 25, 2011, 03:06 AM

Im at work on my phone and don't have it in my to read this whole thread but I did a search of it and came back with no results for "pogo plug". I currently use it with a one terabyte drive holding my itunes. It even has an awesome ios app. So I can access out from both macs and my ipad.

misterneums · Aug 9, 2011, 11:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZenoVT

Has anybody gotten this to work accessing shared folders from a windows 7 server to a macbook air using connect to server?

I did every step the OP suggested, but it keeps failing to connect.

I have only been successful connecting to my shared win7 folders when I'm on a local network using smb://computername-pc.

I've tried doing so with OP's method then using both afp://externalIP and smb://externalIP, but failed to connect on both attempts.

The exact error is:

Connection failed

There was an error connecting to the server
"xx.xxx.xxx.xx". Check the server name or IP
address, and then try again.

If you are unable to resolve the problem contact your
system administrator.

I am having the same problem. My server is my Windows PC.

xraydoc · Aug 11, 2011, 12:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sjrogers

Why would anyone pay $25 a month for iTunes Match when they can do this?

1) $24.95 per year, not per month.
2) I'm thinking you think iTunes Match is something else.

dsjr2006 · Aug 27, 2011, 11:34 AM

This work great, but I personally find Audiogalaxy(for music) and Dropbox(everything) to be more reliable and easier to setup.

clayj · Sep 15, 2011, 06:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dsjr2006

This work great, but I personally find Audiogalaxy(for music) and Dropbox(everything) to be more reliable and easier to setup.

Please bear in mind when I originally started this thread: Over three and a half years ago. Technology has advanced.

BrandonRugzie · Sep 26, 2011, 04:02 PM

Clayj,

Thank you so much for this posting! I am not certain how to 'forward a port' on my airport Extreme. Thank you!!!

-Brandon

BrandonRugzie · Sep 26, 2011, 06:06 PM

Clayj,

I have made a screenshot/video of me setting this up and it not working. Is there a way I could have you look at that and tell me what I am doing wrong?

-Brandon

lewdvig · Oct 8, 2011, 01:40 PM

I would love a super low power A5 file server from Apple. Keep the MP on to serve files is a crazy use of electricity IMO.

jgould · 02:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lewdvig

I would love a super low power A5 file server from Apple. Keep the MP on to serve files is a crazy use of electricity IMO.

This is why I run a C2D Mac Mini as my file server. It's headless and I can hide it on my desk... The server used to be a Pentium 4 at 1.2GHz (I think) with 1GB RAM, and a 300 Watt PS. The Mini's 110 Watt supply is far better. Lower than that would be even better...

I use this to access large files that I don't necessarily have to carry with me on my MacBook Pro all the time. Generally, I don't have to connect to the Mini at home, but it has come in handy more than once...

Beanoir · 04:52 PM

I really wish I could get this to work, i've been tearing my hair out on numerous occasions to the point I want to throw my Mac out of the window and having to stop in order to save my own sanity.

I follow the instructions to the word to try and enable my MBA to see my USB hard drive attached to my AEB but to no avail.

I set up port forwarding on my AEB using the private ISP to the right ports etc, then I try and connect on my MBA using my external IP and port number i've used and it just times out.

Weirdly I have BTTM working so I can access my iMac over the internet from my MBA and I can also access my AEB USB hard drive over my home wireless network from both computers, but the last piece of the puzzle is beating me at the moment.

I can't help thinking its something to do with how i've set my AEB and router up perhaps.

I have just about given up now...

kas23 · Nov 26, 2011, 03:20 PM

Hey guys, is there any hard drive out there that can act as a server only? I know there are smaller WiFi hard drives that set up their own WiFi networks, but are there some that you can remotely access? Like a Time Capsule you can remotely access?

Smileyboy · Nov 28, 2011, 07:05 AM

I didn't read the entire thread.... But what if I only have the MBA? Can I still access my files while not near the network?

nsitaram · Feb 18, 2012, 02:34 PM

Hi: I was able to establish contact between my Mac Air 2012 (Lion) at work and and time capsule at home using the protocol explained in the sticky by Clayj . However all it allows me to open is a file called "sparsebundle" or something like that. I cannot access my IMAC 24" (running Leopard) and IMAC 27" (running snow leopard) or any external hard drive connected to them.
Can someone explain what is happening and what i should now do?
Thanks. I am a novice - so go slow and explain clearly

pavvento · Mar 10, 2012, 07:39 PM

This thread is awesome as I am investigating purchasing a 3 TB drive to hook up to my APE to backup my iMac and keep things in sync with it and my MBA.

Question: We have a Linksys router that is connected to the comcast box. That router serves one side of the house and a cable runs to the back end to the APE (set up with a different wireless SSID). That is where I'd connect the Hard drive to.

Do I need to do anything different from the original set of instructions since I have 2 routers?

Thanks!

bowseruni · Mar 21, 2012, 05:21 AM

anyone know how to do the port forward thing like discussed on page 1 with a Billion 7800n ??

Jan 27, 2011, 10:30 PM	#101
Tomple macrumors 6502a Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: New York, New York	Wow, thanks for this. Incredibly useful feature, which i completely overlooked. Well written guide as well. Thanks __________________ .__@ _-\<,_ ()/_() *Atlas*
	0

Feb 9, 2011, 06:17 AM	#102
jgould macrumors regular Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Columbus Ohio	Aliases One thing I did was connect to frequently accessed volumes on my Mac Mini and create aliases for them. I did this for both the local and remote shares and then dropped them in a folder and added it to my dock... I'm planning on getting one of the new(ish) 11" Airs and have been prepping for it for the last few weeks... Now if only my tax return would show up... __________________ 21.5" iMac (12,1), 2.5 GHz Core i5, 16 GB Ram, 500 GB HDD 13" MBP (9,2), 2.9 GHZ Core i7, 16 GB Ram, 750 GB HDD 11" MBA (5,1), 1.7 GHZ Core i5, 4 GB Ram, 128 GB SSD
	0

Mar 23, 2011, 11:15 AM	#107
jamesryanbell macrumors 68000 Join Date: Mar 2009	This is HUGELY helpful. Thanks so much for taking the time to post this. __________________ Mac Mini Quad-Core i7 Server 8GB RAM MBA 11.6" w/OWC 240GB SSD 27" Cinema Display iPhone 4S 64GB, Apple TV3
	0

Oct 8, 2011, 01:40 PM	#118
lewdvig macrumors 65816 Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: South Pole	I would love a super low power A5 file server from Apple. Keep the MP on to serve files is a crazy use of electricity IMO. __________________ Zealot without a cause. I run an orchard.
	0

Nov 12, 2011, 04:38 PM	#120
Beanoir macrumors 6502a Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: 51 degrees North	I really wish I could get this to work, i've been tearing my hair out on numerous occasions to the point I want to throw my Mac out of the window and having to stop in order to save my own sanity. I follow the instructions to the word to try and enable my MBA to see my USB hard drive attached to my AEB but to no avail. I set up port forwarding on my AEB using the private ISP to the right ports etc, then I try and connect on my MBA using my external IP and port number i've used and it just times out. Weirdly I have BTTM working so I can access my iMac over the internet from my MBA and I can also access my AEB USB hard drive over my home wireless network from both computers, but the last piece of the puzzle is beating me at the moment. I can't help thinking its something to do with how i've set my AEB and router up perhaps. I have just about given up now... __________________ iPhone5 32Gb-iPad Mini 64Gb iMac 27" 3.2Ghz i3 / 16Gb / 1Tb MacMini 2.33GHz / 128Gb SSD / 20" ACD Macbook Air 11.6" 1.6Ghz i5 / 4Gb / 128Gb Last edited by Beanoir; Nov 12, 2011 at 04:52 PM.
	0

Feb 24, 2011, 09:23 PM	#103
Gom33 macrumors newbie Join Date: Apr 2010	So I set file sharing between windows 7 desktop and 13 air. When I connect with my air it shows the pictures folder that i am sharing, but for some reason it does not show my music folder??? I have no idea why. Any help is greatly appreciated
	0

Mar 13, 2011, 06:50 PM	#104
ZenoVT macrumors regular Join Date: Apr 2009	Has anybody gotten this to work accessing shared folders from a windows 7 server to a macbook air using connect to server? I did every step the OP suggested, but it keeps failing to connect. I have only been successful connecting to my shared win7 folders when I'm on a local network using smb://computername-pc. I've tried doing so with OP's method then using both afp://externalIP and smb://externalIP, but failed to connect on both attempts. The exact error is: Connection failed There was an error connecting to the server "xx.xxx.xxx.xx". Check the server name or IP address, and then try again. If you are unable to resolve the problem contact your system administrator.
	0

Mar 14, 2011, 12:05 AM	#106
ZenoVT macrumors regular Join Date: Apr 2009	I've tried to port forward 137-139 and 445.
	0

Jun 22, 2011, 04:53 PM	#109
sjrogers macrumors newbie Join Date: Jun 2011	Why would anyone pay $25 a month for iTunes Match when they can do this?
	-1

Jul 25, 2011, 03:06 AM	#111
Baycity macrumors newbie Join Date: Jul 2011	Im at work on my phone and don't have it in my to read this whole thread but I did a search of it and came back with no results for "pogo plug". I currently use it with a one terabyte drive holding my itunes. It even has an awesome ios app. So I can access out from both macs and my ipad.
	0

Aug 27, 2011, 11:34 AM	#114
dsjr2006 macrumors member Join Date: Jun 2007	This work great, but I personally find Audiogalaxy(for music) and Dropbox(everything) to be more reliable and easier to setup.
	0

Sep 26, 2011, 04:02 PM	#116
BrandonRugzie macrumors newbie Join Date: Mar 2011	Clayj, Thank you so much for this posting! I am not certain how to 'forward a port' on my airport Extreme. Thank you!!! -Brandon
	0

Sep 26, 2011, 06:06 PM	#117
BrandonRugzie macrumors newbie Join Date: Mar 2011	Clayj, I have made a screenshot/video of me setting this up and it not working. Is there a way I could have you look at that and tell me what I am doing wrong? -Brandon
	0

Nov 26, 2011, 03:20 PM	#121
kas23 macrumors 601 Join Date: Oct 2007	Hey guys, is there any hard drive out there that can act as a server only? I know there are smaller WiFi hard drives that set up their own WiFi networks, but are there some that you can remotely access? Like a Time Capsule you can remotely access? __________________ 6/15/10, Never Forget
	0

Nov 28, 2011, 07:05 AM	#122
Smileyboy macrumors 6502a Join Date: Aug 2008	I didn't read the entire thread.... But what if I only have the MBA? Can I still access my files while not near the network? __________________ 2011 MBA 13" i5 480GB, iP5 64GB White VZW, iPad mini 32gb BLACK VZW LTE, ATV 3
	0

Feb 18, 2012, 02:34 PM	#123
nsitaram macrumors newbie Join Date: Jun 2011	Accessing home IMACs from remote mac Air Hi: I was able to establish contact between my Mac Air 2012 (Lion) at work and and time capsule at home using the protocol explained in the sticky by Clayj . However all it allows me to open is a file called "sparsebundle" or something like that. I cannot access my IMAC 24" (running Leopard) and IMAC 27" (running snow leopard) or any external hard drive connected to them. Can someone explain what is happening and what i should now do? Thanks. I am a novice - so go slow and explain clearly
	0

Mar 10, 2012, 07:39 PM	#124
pavvento macrumors 6502 Join Date: Jun 2007	This thread is awesome as I am investigating purchasing a 3 TB drive to hook up to my APE to backup my iMac and keep things in sync with it and my MBA. Question: We have a Linksys router that is connected to the comcast box. That router serves one side of the house and a cable runs to the back end to the APE (set up with a different wireless SSID). That is where I'd connect the Hard drive to. Do I need to do anything different from the original set of instructions since I have 2 routers? Thanks!
	0

Mar 21, 2012, 05:21 AM	#125
bowseruni macrumors newbie Join Date: Mar 2012	anyone know how to do the port forward thing like discussed on page 1 with a Billion 7800n ??
	0

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