HFS offers quick and easy file serving

Filed under: Internet, Windows, Freeware, P2P

HFS offers quick and easy file serving

by Todd Ritter Jan 3rd 2008

Windows only HFS (HTTP File Server) offers a super simple way to share files via the Internet. There is no install, simply an .exe file (550KB!) that provides an "easy" mode for most users and an "expert" mode that offers advanced preferences for the brave. To share files through HFS, either drag/drop the files to the HFS window, or use the Windows Explorer integration with a right-click. You can add user accounts to HFS so that you can access your own files while not at your computer, or let your friends download the latest killer track you recorded in Windows Sound Recorder.

Once you get HFS configured the way you want it and have configured a port forward in your firewall for port 80 (if your ISP lets you host on that port), just have your friends use their favorite web browser to go to your public IP address or dynamic DNS hostname like http://downloadsquad.no-ip.com and they can log in and download your shared files. You can customize the web page that your visitors see, and you can monitor connection information like what IP is connected, what is being downloaded, etc.

[Via Brown Thoughts]

Tags: file serving, FileServing, p2p

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Fritz Laurel said 8:25PM on 1-03-2008

Sounds like a cool app, but perhaps with a poor choice of name for a file transfer app. Considering HFS already means "Hierarchical Filing System" (i.e. Mac) and I know people are always looking for apps to help go from HFS FAT/NTFS.

Todd Ritter said 7:03AM on 1-04-2008

Fritz,

I agree. But I guess "HTTP File Server" doesn't roll off the tongue as easily. Although they could just create a new snappy word and avoid the HFS confusion.

Todd

mgthantzin said 8:18AM on 1-04-2008

It's a cool application. The best part (for me) is Dynamic DNS Update. It rocks.

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AJP said 9:30AM on 1-04-2008

Gave this software a shot. The one thing that took several minutes was finding out I had to set up port forwarding on my router.

Was in a Skype chat and wanted to send a file. Skype can be borishly slow when trying to send files. HFS worked excellently.

Skype said the file would take 90 minutes. It took 45 seconds with HFS.

Todd Ritter said 9:33AM on 1-04-2008

Glad to hear it worked for you! Some ISP's prevent serving on port 80 so some users will have to set up a different port forward, perhaps to something like port 8000. Then the link would be http://your.public.ip:8000

Todd

hazard said 6:57AM on 1-07-2008

Cool software, nice one Todd.

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