How to transfer large files between distant computers through internet network with firewalls

If you need to transfer a big file(s) from one computer to another one, there are 2 different approaches:

1. In 2 stages. The most and intuitive method is: firstly upload from 1st computer to somewhere in internet and secondly download from that place to 2nd computer. These methods include sending by e-mail (workable only for lightweight files, few Mb) and uploading & downloading with megaupload/rapidshare like online services.
   Disadvantages: slow method (in traditional ADSL home-connections, upload’s bandwith is usually not large).
2. Directly way. This method is the fastest (2nd computer download immediately your file) but it’s normally a hard-way to do. Often you can’t open the ports in your router(s) and you can’t make your FTP/HTTP server visibile from 2nd computer with your public IP address. Besides that, you can transfers via Skype/Msn messenger, but these usually aren’t performative methods.

Actually, there is a simple method to join advantages of both these two pproaches: Bittorrent !

Using bittorrent network you are able to send any files to any other computers. You only have to send separately a torrent file (that contains the file description and your the torrent link info) to the 2nd computer, and thelatter can immediately download the file from the 1st computer using the maximium speed allowed. You can also send your files to more computers and exploit P2P advantages (each peer downloads from each other peer). Pay attention to your client configuration (in the 1st computer) about connection settings (NAT-PMP mapping, upload bandwith).

Torrent file is easily made from bittorrent client software, for example the excellent lightweight free and no-install uTorrent. Procedure: From the menu list, select “file” and “make a torrent from your file(s)”, then “send” the “.torrent file” (only few Kb) just made to the 2nd computer (that obviously has also a bittorrent client).

Enjoy !