| openSUSE Documentation Part III. Mobility / Chapter 11. Copying and Sharing Files | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | 10.4. Common Tasks | 11.2. Access Methods |  | |
| openSUSE Documentation Part III. Mobility / Chapter 11. Copying and Sharing Files | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10.4. Common Tasks | 11.2. Access Methods | | |
Contents
Abstract
Using two operating systems in parallel, you probably have often wondered how to exchange file between them. Different systems may reside on different partitions on the same machine or on different machines across your network. This chapter introduces various approaches to file exchange, including basic instructions and hints on possible pitfalls.
![[Warning]](admon/warning.png) | Scenarios for Private Home Networks Only |
|---|---|
Do not deploy the following scenarios in networks other than your own private and trusted home network that is protected by a firewall. Implementing high security measures for the configurations featured in the following sections is beyond the scope of this document. | |
The following sections feature several approaches to exchanging data. “Exchanging data” may encompass either one of the following tasks:
To copy your data means to transfer your data from one system to the other. This results in two identical objects on both the source and the target system.
Synchronizing data is a special flavor of copying data. If you change a file on one computer, it will also be changed automatically on the other computer after the synchronization. Think of a laptop that contains your modified files and you want to have the same contents on your home computer.
Sharing your files means establishing a client/server relationship. The server provides files that can be accessed by the client. When changing a file, you modify it on the server and not locally on the client. File servers typically serve a large number of clients simultaneously.
The following list provides a number of possible scenarios involving file transfer:
Many users have a preinstalled operating system by their vendor and run Linux in a separate partition. Please refer to Section 11.3, “Accessing Files on Different Operating Systems on the same Computer” for more information.
Save the data to any media (CD/DVD, USB flash drive or external hard disk) and connect these to the target machine to apply your backup.
This solution is inexpensive, intuitive and straightforward. However, you need the appropriate drives or ports on both computers. Media are suited to occasional file transfers with limited file size. If you need a more permanent solution, consider Different Computers connected via the Same Network.
Set up a server of any kind on one computer, connect the server and the client and transfer the files from server to client. Choose from various protocols available and pick the one that best matches your needs and expertise.
The client/server setup requires more expertise and maintenance efforts, but is much more flexible than the above mentioned approaches. If you are looking for a permanent file exchange, choose a client/server-based method. In contrast to the method introduced in Different Computers not Connected via Network, this method does not impose any limits on the amount of data that can be transferred this way.
This scenario requires connection of different networks and therefore, is beyond the scope of this document.
