Access Mac Mini Server from the internet

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Level 1

1 points

Access Mac Mini Server from the internet

Hi there.

I'm pretty limited to the knowledge around networking so need some guidance and advice please from you - the experts!

I have a mac Mini Server which i use to centralize my documents within my home network, but i want to be able to access them when i'm away from the house? I don't really know much about FTP's or SSH's (recent internet research results!) so would appreciate some guidance/help from folks to help set something up?

Again, i'm not too educated with router configuration either which i believe i'll have to do in order to be able to access the server from outside the network.

Please..... :-) Thanks in advance.

Posted on Dec 28, 2012 11:42 AM

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Answer 1

BDAqua

Level 10

250,259 points

Dec 28, 2012 12:29 PM in response to da_vide78

hi there,

An easy way is like with Dropbox...

https://www.dropbox.com/home#!/home

Others...

http://www.techradar.com/news/internet/best-cloud-storage-dropbox-vs-skydrive-vs -google-drive-vs-icloud-1120024

Now there are way to forward ports on your Router to access it remotely, & things like DynDNS & no-ip.com to update your outside IP to the remote Mac.

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Answer 2

Linc Davis

Level 10

209,739 points

Dec 28, 2012 3:13 PM in response to da_vide78

If you're running OS X 10.7 or later, the easiest option is this:

OS X: Using and troubleshooting Back to My Mac with your iCloud account

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Answer 3

da_vide78 Author

Level 1

1 points

Dec 29, 2012 1:49 AM in response to BDAqua

So i don't want to use a cloud solution.

When at home, i can access all files from every laptop/desktop in the house because they're all mac products and they see each other but I've centralised them on the Mac Mini Server.

BUT, rather than use a cloud (and the problem with iCloud is that it will only store documents that are created in iWork not Microsoft for Mac - already looked into that one!) I want to be able to use my server as the 'cloud'.

So i guess the port forwarding router solution is the way i need to go.

So, if anyone can help with that i would be hugely appreciative.

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Answer 4

Linc Davis

Level 10

209,739 points

Dec 29, 2012 7:25 AM in response to da_vide78

"Back to My Mac" is not a cloud solution, and it doesn't store your documents. It's a direct connection between clients and your server.

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Answer 5

BDAqua

Level 10

250,259 points

Dec 29, 2012 11:49 AM in response to da_vide78

Port forwarding guides here...

http://portforward.com/

what's my ip...

http://www.whatsmyip.org/

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Answer 6

da_vide78 Author

Level 1

1 points

Dec 29, 2012 12:10 PM in response to Linc Davis

Ah, thanks for this - this is something i didn't know about.

If it were just me using the server it would be perfect as it would just be one itunes/iCloud login. However, there are more than one user who needs access to the server.

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Answer 7

Linc Davis

Level 10

209,739 points

Dec 29, 2012 12:37 PM in response to da_vide78

Set up a new iCloud account for the sole purpose of configuring BTMM. All users can share it.

If you find that too inconvenient, consider something like this: Slinkware

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