Ok, I am thinking about doing this same thing on campus...so I could use some advice as well.
Computers:
1 iBook w/ OS X (what else right?)
1 PC with Windows XP
1 router
Network:
Campus network - Has a firewall that prevents outside connections. But I do not want to connect from the internet...keep reading
Task: Enable safe file sharing between my Windows machine and my iBook when I am on campus. Thus making my Windows machine a seperate storage area for my files.
Ok here is the deal with the Network. Connections from the internet are refused. That includes trying to run things like web servers. The campus just does not allow it. That is ok though. What I want to do is access files that are on my Windows machine from my Mac ON campus. In effect creating a personal network drive that only I can access (obviously I will need to enable a password on my account). I do not want those who are unathorized to be able to...well to as much extent as possible.
Ok, so here is how I was going to set this up. Router (with a cloned MAC address from my PC) will be connected to my University LAN. From there my Windows machine will be there. Firewall settings on the Router, Windows and Zonealarm Pro will be set to high (I do not trust my campus network after last years virus problems).
Ok so I will then assign a Static IP to my Windows machine in fact since there are two machines (the PC and the Mac) I probably wont use the routers DHCP Server.
From what I gather I am supposed to enable sharing on my Windows PC, and set port forwarding on the Router to the PC's IP and then open up those Ports on my Router and both Firewalls.
Ok now how do I connect to said machine? In other words how do I access it on the Network? Search for the IP address? If so where do I do that?
Mike