Share Network Drive with Neighbors

[kjackson09]

I would like to setup a media server that can be accessed by my next door neighbors.

I would like for them to be able to have access to a particular drive to view movies/music etc but not have access surf the internet. I do know they can already see my wireless network, it's just a matter of giving them very limited access when they log on.

Can anyone help? Suggest software etc?

Thanks

 

[spidey07]

There may be fiilters available on your router to only allow the IPs you want to reach the internet.

 

[kevnich2]

As spidey said, look under access restrictions and see if you can restrict just the internet to certain IP's or MAC's. I've seen different rules on different routers. On some, if you restrict that address, it cuts off everything, including LAN access.

 

[kjackson09]

Is there not some kind of Network Admin Program that I could allow certain users access to drives and not internet etc?

I have a lot of devices conntected to my internet right now (PS3, Wii, Xbox360, two computers and a laptop). I don't particularly want to use MAC filtering to prevent their access if possible.

 

[jaqie]

What you will need to do this properly is a layer 2 or layer 3 managed switch and a wireless access point seperate to your router. Quite a pretty penny.

You could also set up a seperate network with just a WAP and a second network card in your file server (or just a wifi card that will work in WAP mode and let you share files through it).

 

[ch33zw1z]

Originally posted by: jaqie
What you will need to do this properly is a layer 2 or layer 3 managed switch and a wireless access point seperate to your router. Quite a pretty penny.

You could also set up a seperate network with just a WAP and a second network card in your file server (or just a wifi card that will work in WAP mode and let you share files through it).

Even my old Dlink DI524 can dish out ip's based on MAC, and subsequently you can block that IP from WAN traffic. you don't need anything crazy, just a device that can do it.

kjackson: it might take a little time to set up the MAC based ips, unless you want to spend more money. This option will work as long as your router will do it. What router are you using?

 

[jaqie]

Originally posted by: kjackson09
I don't particularly want to use MAC filtering to prevent their access if possible.

This was the basis for my last post.

 

[kjackson09]

Great responses thanks.

I have a fairly new router. I believe it is the D-Link DIR655 Wireless N router.

If needed I can setup a dedicated machine to primarily run as the server.

 

[kevnich2]

Your going to go through this much trouble just to allow some neighbors to be able to see your files on your network??

 

[Slowlearner]

Almost any router allows some configuration of the access rules- port blocking, limiting access by time of day so on - so it is quite simple to allow access to the LAN but not the web - Block port 80 etc etc. You will need to pull out the router manual.

 

[RebateMonger]

Originally posted by: jaqie
You could also set up a seperate network with just a WAP and a second network card in your file server (or just a wifi card that will work in WAP mode and let you share files through it).

This is what I'd recommend. The other mentioned methods of access control (IP address and MAC address) can be spoofed if desired.

 

[imported_snikt]

Have you considered setting up an FTP?

 

[filetitan]

keep things simple, on server side install hamachi, with ur shared drive, and have people from the outside connect to it with restricted access.

 

[MetaDFF]

Originally posted by: filetitan
keep things simple, on server side install hamachi, with ur shared drive, and have people from the outside connect to it with restricted access.

Wouldn't that mean all the data would have travel over the Internet? Connecting directly the to wireless access point would mean the files are transferred locally on the LAN thus avoiding having to upload data over the Internet. (please correct me if i'm wrong about this).

Edit: Just realized that IPCOP + OpenVPN solution won't prevent http access through your network unless you use the advanced proxy add-on.