Transferring large files peer to peer without using torrents or third party cloud solutions

 This post take care of an issue which we sometimes encounter which is how to transfer a large file which is more than the size allowed for third party cloud storage solutions which require hefty annual charges. 

Torrents is the best method, but, sometimes torrents are blocked in the internet service provider end and not so intuitive for the first time user.

The method I would be describing would be using age old FTP for this purpose. I would be breaking it up in some steps.

Step 1 : Install IIS in your windows 10 professional system . 

• Open "Turn Windows features on or off":

  • Open the Start menu. 
  • Type "features" and select "Turn Windows features on or off". 
• Select IIS:

  • Tick the "Internet Information Services" checkbox. 
  • You may need to expand the "Internet Information Services" node to select specific features like "Web Management Tools" or "World Wide Web Services". 
• Confirm and Install:

  • Click "OK" to apply the changes and start the installation process. 
  • Wait for the installation to complete. 
• Verify Installation:
• 
  
• • After installation, you can verify by searching for "IIS" in the Start menu and launching "Internet Information Services (IIS) Manager". 

  Step2: Note down the private and public IP of this server. you can use ipconfig to note the private IP address and google for the public IP of the system. Note these IP address. The public IP address can change if router is rebooted
• 
  
• Step3 : setup a FTP server in the IIS

click here to open a how-to

Step-4: Download Filezila software

Step-5: configure NAT in the internet router

consult your router documentation. the NAT configured in this example redirects the requests arriving

at ports from 49152 to 65134 to port 23 in a private IP ( the IP where the FTP server is hosted 

like 192.168.1.6)

This is done because FTP uses a passive algorithm which throws requests at different high ports

 which have to be redirected to a single port 23.

Step-6: open filezila software 

this is how it would look in disconnected state

fill the public IP and port 23 and click on quick connect, this is how the screen should look now

the directory structure of the shared ftp folder should be visible . This is a test to see if filezila can access the folder on your laptop through your public IP . Disconnect after the test is successful

 

Step 7: give all read/write permissions to the shared ftp folder for "Everyone" by right clicking the folder 

Step 8 : give the public IP and the port to the friend/person and ask him to download and install  the filezila software  who wants to upload/download the file from the this FTP folder. he can simply drag and drop content from his local folder to this ftp folder as shown in pic above

STEP 9; (Most important) : Revoke all permissions to folder delete all port redirects & stop the FTP server from IIS once your transfer is completed in interest of security. 

Hope this short guide was useful!