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Post Info TOPIC: Caravan computer networking and file transfers
Mike Harding


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Caravan computer networking and file transfers
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I've put this post here because although it's Technical my feeling is it has a better fit in General.

How to set up a shared directory on a caravan wireless network:

For the past three years of my nomad existence an on-going irritation has been the "fiddlyness" of sharing files between my computer/tablets and phone. File transfer between devices can be done with the standard facilities available from Windows or Android but it's fiddly and time consuming and using options such as Google Drive costs bandwidth and exposes one's files to the internet.

One thing I have missed as a nomad is a home network with a shared drive to and from which files may be easily copied to any device capable of network access.

As all my internet access is now via the mobile phone network I use my phone as a wireless "hotspot" so it would make much sense to have a shared directory on the phone to which any of my devices had read/write access unfortunately Android does not provide such a facility as standard. However I found an app. which has been around since 2013 which does!

WiFi File Transfer

This app is essentially a file manager and web server combined which runs on your Android device and permits access to storage on that device from a remote web browser thus making it possible to transfer files in both directions. I have created a directory called "Network share" and can now drop or pick up files from anywhere on my network, brilliant! No more messing around with USB sticks and the like.

The free version of the app restricts file size to 5MB but for $1.33 you may purchase an unrestricted version which I've done and that works well.

Happy file transferring :)

 



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JeffRae


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Can you transfer files direct to an SD card or only to internal storage?

For $1.33 I should just buy it and find out for myself, but would still like to know beforehand

 



-- Edited by JeffRae on Tuesday 5th of October 2021 02:09:45 PM

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Jeff & Rae travelling in a motorhome
Mike Harding


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Good question and one I should have covered: I don't have an SD card in my phone currently (two SIMs) however I understand the app allows transfer to both internal and external storage.

Edit:

Just download and try the free version to confirm.



-- Edited by Mike Harding on Tuesday 5th of October 2021 02:51:31 PM

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"I beseech you in the bowels of Christ think it possible you may be mistaken"

Oliver Cromwell, 3rd August 1650 - in a letter to the General Assembly of the Kirk of Scotland
Gundog


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There is a simple solution a good wireless router that has the ability to connect to the internet via a wifi hot spot that also has the ability to connect a storage device.



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Mike Harding


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Yes, I knew there would be lots of "simple solutions":

Does said wireless router and associated storage device cost less than $1.33?

How does one power said wireless router and device 24/7 when in the bush and how much energy do they consume?

A wireless router is another way of doing it but it is neither cheap not simple.



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"I beseech you in the bowels of Christ think it possible you may be mistaken"

Oliver Cromwell, 3rd August 1650 - in a letter to the General Assembly of the Kirk of Scotland
Gundog


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Mike Harding wrote:

Yes, I knew there would be lots of "simple solutions":

Does said wireless router and associated storage device cost less than $1.33?

How does one power said wireless router and device 24/7 when in the bush and how much energy do they consume?

A wireless router is another way of doing it but it is neither cheap not simple.

 a dlink dir 506l is powered by usb, its onl 2.4ghz wifi



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Corndoggy


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First off im not using a phone hot spot for connection, I am on FTTP broadband.
I've been using CX File Explorer on my Android devices (phone, tablet and TV box) and that allows me to connect to my network (Windows 10 and 7 and NAS Drives). Can see and transfer files to and from the Android devices to the Windows and NAS, but cannot see any Android devices from Windows. Just means its a 2 step process if I want to go from Android to Android, which is not a problem for me. Are other ways but I'm happy enough the way it is for the times I do it.
What Gundog has said seems a good way to go about doing what you want. Just have to configure the router the right way. You then connect all devices via wifi or cable to that router.
Short video of the idea.

m.youtube.com/watch

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JeffRae


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WiFi File Transfer Pro does not allow access to SD Card. It has a setting to allow this, but is not functional. It is not compatible with newer versions of Android.

CS Explorer allows access to SD Card using FTP via File Explorer

I could easily transfer files between tablet and computer with hotspot on phone

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Mike Harding


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JeffRae wrote:

It is not compatible with newer versions of Android.

I have it working on one Android 6 phone and two Android 10 tablets.



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"I beseech you in the bowels of Christ think it possible you may be mistaken"

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JeffRae


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I have it working on newer Android as well, but only connects to internal storage.
I ASSUME it won't connect to the SD card as there has been no new updates since 2013

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