Networking Obsy (Win10) Laptop to (Win7) Desktop

[Macavity]

Adventures with my new budget Laptop (qv) continue... Space for the
larger 15" screen proved merely a question of lowering one shelf! ?

For "in-the-field Astro", I don't need extensive keyboard usage... And
I can now SEE (and use!) the keyboard for simple numerical entry. ?
 

AND ultimately, it does everything I want it to do... E.G. For SOLAR (or
planetary?) imaging it runs FireCapture (to acquire the data) and also
TeamViewer to Remote Control my HEQ5 from my Desktop Machine! ?

BUT I AM finding that the Laptop is (apparently) at the very limit of my
domestic Wifi. I sense that might be why responses to button pushes
may be a "bit slow"... and there is an occasional "disconnect" problem?

I have been wondering about "WiFi Extenders" but not sure I want to
broadcast to the entire neighbourhood! Both machines boast Gigabit
Ethernet... I could lay ONE extra cable... I sense that is the BEST way?! ? 

MAYBE my REAL question is how the heck DO YOU connect a Win10
Laptop to a Win7 Desktop... It seems a fairly reasonable idea?  I have
explored the internet on this one. I sense that Win10 (and Microsoft)
feel that ALL file transfer can take place via "the cloud"? Have they
really "no idea"... Are they being *ironic* or even... sarcastic? <irony>

Another thing is File Transfer. After a morning "slaving under the hot
sun" (lol) with Solar Imaging, I can create MANY GB of data! I usually
transfer this to my Desktop machine and process it there... 

IT SEEMS that TeamViwer solves all my problems at a stroke! And it
incorporates EASY (fast) file transfer too. The authors are geniuses!
But I cannot afford the non-free version. I worry about future issues.

P.S. This is a long / rambling post... But I am interested how folks
deal with many general issues of "Networking" their Observatory! ?

[cjdawson]

Here's my 2p's worth.

 

1. laying a Gigabit Cat5 network cable would be the more powerful solution to the problem, and it'll let you transfer the data faster than any domestic wifi.

2. As for copying files direct from windows 7 to windows 10, you can use  folder sharing. This might not be installed by default on a home edition of windows, but you should be able to install it.    What you do is enable file sharing from a given folder - your root data folder.  Then from the other computer connect to it, via the network    the address is either \\computername  or \\ipaddress   once there you should be able to log in, then see the shared folder, at that point you can simply copy the data from one PC to the other. 

[stash_old]

Wired 1gb Ethernet nothing else to say ?  

OK maybe convert to 5ghz or buy very expensive AP's

[Macavity]

Thanks! ? I note that 5Ghz Wifi does seem to give consistently
10dB better signal as I wander randomly about the "garden". ?

I feel there must be SOME straightforward way of connecting a
hard-wire Ethernet Win10 Laptop to a Win7 Desktop as well? ? 

Happy to work on details... but I would/do/did welcome hope!

[Macavity]

P.S. Whatever. I WILL now add an extra Cat5/6 cable to the ample bundle
suspended from my "Washing Line" support system. That is a no-brainer. ?

[sloz1664]

Chris I use Cat6. for the minimal increase in cost you get oodles more speed, as and when you may need it.

Steve

[stash_old]

22 hours ago, Macavity said:

P.S. Whatever. I WILL now add an extra Cat5/6 cable to the ample bundle
suspended from my "Washing Line" support system. That is a no-brainer. ?

IMHO Just get external grade ,solid copper Cat cabling is not a lot more expensive.

The other question I dont really understand "connect one laptop to another" as so long as they are on the same network they are connected. The performance will increase just by adding wired connection. Upgrading your Router/Ap/Switch or whatever to all GB will help so long as  all your devices (laptops) can use GB rates - as you are only as fast as your slowest link.

I won't go into creating sub nets or using expensive managed switches as I doubt you would benefit and it would cost more. Just do the Wired upgrade - i think you will be happy enough IMO. ?

[Macavity]

Heheh. I will install a CAT 5/6 cable. I am slightly bemused that the obvious need
to "connect" (for file transfer!) a Win10 Laptop to a Win7 Desktop does not seem
to be commonly addressed on the internet? I suspect I will find a way to do it! ?

I sympathise with none-computer types! In fairness I spent MANY years working
with computers and setting up "networks"... So often a nightmare! Early days of
triumphs... getting Windows to "talk to" linux etc. But often fairly "hit or miss". ?

Not my favourite thing. I relied a lot on "prayer" and/or occasional good luck? ?

 

[stash_old]

3 minutes ago, Macavity said:

I am slightly bemused that the obvious need
to "connect" (for file transfer!) a Win10 Laptop to a Win7 Desktop does not seem
to be commonly addressed on the internet?

That's not network connection level that's application level and the problems are mostly to do with security/Corporate users which Microsoft (and others) are obsessed with.

At application level just use something like Filezilla a simple piece of free FTP software that works across many O/S (Linux Windows etc) - you may have to tweak Windows Firewall (should do it by default but everyone's set up is the same)

But honestly still dont see your problem with std "File Sharing" between Win10 and Win 7.

Hope all goes well ?

 

[Star101]

If the remote PC is on the same home power as the house PC. i.e connected to the same junction box. Have you taken a look at https://www.devolo.co.uk/internet-in-any-room/products.html and other such units?

I have a unit connected to my router and a separate unit in my ROR Shed, giving my laptop in the shed internet access. Teamviewer allows me to connect and use my remote shed laptop from my warm house.

[cjdawson]

1 hour ago, Macavity said:

Heheh. I will install a CAT 5/6 cable. I am slightly bemused that the obvious need
to "connect" (for file transfer!) a Win10 Laptop to a Win7 Desktop does not seem
to be commonly addressed on the internet? I suspect I will find a way to do it! ?

I sympathise with none-computer types! In fairness I spent MANY years working
with computers and setting up "networks"... So often a nightmare! Early days of
triumphs... getting Windows to "talk to" linux etc. But often fairly "hit or miss". ?

Not my favourite thing. I relied a lot on "prayer" and/or occasional good luck? ?

 

Seems that you missed my last post that told you that you can shared a folder on your network.

 

[Macavity]

My apologies for trying the patience of some here. Basically I did
not have "Network Discovery" turned on for the Laptop. Of course
if you click on "Network" in File Explorer, Win10 prompts you. ?

With that basic problem removed the rest is clear. Thanks ALL. ?

 

[Macavity]

As a postscript it is interesting to note that (I am finding) File Transfer
via Teamviewer gives only about 4MB/s over a short Gigabit link. But
straight-forward disk sharing is (at least) a factor of 10x higher...  ?

Aside: Hard wired Teamviewer seems not much faster than WiFi? ?
But with an Obsy at the limit of WiFi coverage, hard wiring is safer
for mount control operations.

The file transfer is dependent on disk speeds and file caching. Many
of my Hard Drives are older 5400 technology. Idem the new Laptop!
At least it has 16GB of new-fangled Intel Optane as disk caching? ?

Data transfer of typical 4GB solar AVI files (from Laptop to Desktop)
takes off at a "colossal" rate... lingers for a while... then drops to the
sort of rate my Desktop HDs support. Upgrading my Desktop to an
SSD drive and increasing the RAM is next on the to do/spend list. ?

[cjdawson]

Glad you have the file sharing sorted out.

As for the speed of Teamviewers file transfer, I think that says more about the teamviewer software than it does about your network.  4MBps (note the B means Bytes) is about 33Mbps (note the little b means bits), which over a 1024Mbps network cable is very limiting.  I'd be look that that being about the speed of a slow USB memory stick.  For disk to disk transfer, I'd been wanting to see speed more like 30MB for an old HDD, faster for a newer drive and much faster for SSD.  The speed of the slowest drive will should be the limiting factor over gigabit network.     Over wifi, it's limited by the connection speed, if that's slower than the disks can handle.