Distributing files w/o FTP --- ideas?

[Caligula]

Hello all, my first post here so be gentle ;)

I would like to setup an easy system for my employees to distribute large files (>10MB) to our clients. Obviously, FTP comes to mind but I don't like the security (or lack thereof) nor is it simple to use from both the admin side nor my employees side. What type of systems do you guys use to distribute large files to employees with a decent amount of security and simplicity for admin/employee/client? I am in a windows environment with Win2000/2k3 servers, win2000/xp clients.

Is this idea remotely feasable:
Set up a linux box in a DMX with Samba and Apache. Create user accounts on the linux box to mirror the windows domain, create a windows share and drive map (e.g. Q:\) on each users desktop to their home directory on the linux box. Use apache with some sort of user auth to point to each users home directory. Then, my employee can simply copy a file to thier mapped Q:\ drive, and email the client with a link like "www.ourfiles/~user" and send the username and password.

Does this sound possible?

Thanks

[rameyd]

I have a machine that I use for file transfering from work, when I'm on the road or for sharing files with my friends. Simple little Debian box running an ssh server.

Your clients can then use an ftp client that supports sftp or, in my case, set them up with WinSCP.

Dave

[sweet_in_hell]

using sftp will creat a very scure channel for u.
to download an shh server that support sftp u can try winsshd. u can get it from www.bitvise.com and it can work on windows. clients can use WinSCP to connect

and i think the second idea is much more effechet and easier to use, but there is no need for linux or samba or apache. just creat a sheared folder on the admin desktop where all employees can map this folder as a network drive and then use a simple "http file server" like hfs which u can mange with it all kind of passwords and users. get it from here http://www.rejetto.com/hfs/

a 3rd way , which is the easiest, is to use only hfs and run it on the admin side where u can creat accounts with passwords for both clients and employees and they both can upload files with one click. if u have securty issues use an https server insted

regards

[Zyglow]

If you have SSH setup, you can use SCP