FTP using DOS and no server

[marleymanner1]

Hello everyone,

Have a question here. I have never done FTP before, but I would like to transfer files between two computers that are on the same subnet mask and default gateway (whatever these things mean). There is no server involved, just two computers with different IP addresses on the same subnet. Is this easy in DOS? I have run across the following page:

http://www.computerhope.com/software/ftp.htm

but I am not sure if that is all I will need. I do not want to touch this, or even try it as I am afraid I will mess things up. I have the username and password for windows of the computer I would like to transfer to. Is there anything else I need to accomplish this? Thank you so much!


As a side note to this thread, I do not want to simply use a Jump Drive, as I want to learn how to use this function in DOS. Thanks.

 

[Minkey]

Using DOS is an odd way to but what the hey:

Start > run and type ftp

If you know the IP address of the other computer type:

open ftp [enter the other pc's IP address]

then as per the link send yourfile.txt for example

If you don't know the IP address the address and domain iirc in XP home is the computer name and workgroup - not 100% certain on this but use the IP address its easier.

 

[marleymanner1]

Minkey,

I have tried this stuff, and I get an unknown host error. I am entering this in the ftp line:

open ftp 000.000.0.000 OR

open ftp 000.000.0.0

where the 0's are actually numbers, and they represent the IP address. The bottom one represents the Default Gateway. the other computer is connected to the internet as well. am I doing something wrong here?

Also, what is the difference between an IP address, subnet mask and default gateway? I don't understand any of these. Thanks! =)

 

[Banana]

IP address is what a computer needs to uniquely identify itself and any other computers on a network.

Default gateway is usually the entry point between a local network and the world. It is important to realize that whenever we use routers and network address translation (NAT) we now have a bunch of computer in one local network sharing one public IP address so as far as the world is concerned, there's only one computer while inside the network each computer are assigned a private IP which are not accessible from world but only within same network. Private IP addresses can only be in ranges of 10.X.X.X, 192.168.X.X, and 172.16.X.X-172.32.X.X.

Subnet mask is used to simplify lookups by restricting possible IP ranges; if a router (a DHCP server to be precise) restricts IP assignments to only range between say, 192.162.0.1 to 192.168.0.255 then the subnet mask would be 255.255.255.0 which basically says "just check the last octlet; the first three octlet won't change so don't bother looking those up."

That said, since you are ftp between two computer that is in same network (e.g. Both are connected to same router or server) you need to make sure you have the private IP, not public IP. Furthermore, verify that you have opened port 21 for the host computer that will receive the request. Depending on your network setup, you may have to open the port from both Windows firewall on the host computer and on the router (you can configure the router by using a web browser and entering routers address (the default gateway) and supplying the username and password.)

Hope that helps a bit.