Turn Your Mac into Your Own Cloud

Say you're out with a client or at a social setting. You or someone else mentions a particular document, song, or file that you currently have.

The problem? It's located on your computer, which is not with you. Your iPhone or netbook doesn't have it since you haven't synced it in a while or you simply don't have the need for it regularly.

The solution? Apple wants you to use MobileMe, and there are plenty of alternatives where files are stored on a cloud. But why should you depend on someone else to store your files, or pay $99 a year to do what can be done for free? Wouldn't it be more convenient to have the files stored safely on your own computer, and then access it wherever you go?

That's exactly what I'm going show today. I've set up my MacBook Pro such that so long as I have my IP address, I can access any file anywhere I go, leaving my netbook and iPhone relatively empty to download and stream. My Mac stays on all the time (except when I'm asleep) since I access it frequently while in class, at work, or simply when my computer's not with me.

To do this, you'll first need to find out what your public IP address is. If your ISP (Internet Service Provider) uses a static IP address, you'll only need to remember that one IP. Otherwise, for dynamic IP addresses, you'll either need to remember the number of different IP addresses your computer may have, or leave your computer connected to the Internet all the time so as to keep the same IP address. To find what your IP address is, go to http://www.whatismyip.com.

Let's get started! Here is what you need:

1. SSH client (Mac: Cyberduck / Windows: WinSCP)
This is the primary method of accessing your files from anywhere you are. Simply select the SFTP/SSH option on Cyberduck (WinSCP is only SSH), type in your IP address and user information, and you'll be able to have access to your files!

In order to connect to your Mac via SSH, you'll need to set it up properly. In System Preferences, go to Sharing and tick "Remote Login." You may need to authenticate. You may need to open up Port 22 on your router if your Mac is connected to it (Remote Login - SSH on AirPort Utility).

Once you have that set up, you can also access your home Mac's command line through another Mac's Terminal.app or PuTTY on Windows, in case you need to run some command scripts.

2. Screen Sharing (Mac only)

I find this to be very useful when I'm in an area where the Internet's fast and there's a Mac readily available. I simply connect to my Mac and I have my entire desktop waiting for me. Since Leopard's release, Apple has made screen sharing very easy and without the need for Apple Remote Desktop.

Again, in the Sharing icon of System Preferences check Remote Management. Then you'll need to click on Computer Settings. A drop down window will appear and check "VNC viewers may control screen with password" and enter your desired password (I use my normal login information). 

While there is a "Screen Sharing" option, I find that Remote Management also allows anyone using the Apple Remote Desktop software to connect as well, opening up your Mac to more connections if needed.

Again, like SSH, you'll need to forward the correct ports through the router in order to access your computer from abroad. The ports you'll need to forward are 3283 and 5900 (Apple Remote Desktop on AirPort Utility)

To access your Mac, launch Safari or Firefox from another Mac (I haven't tested it out on Chrome). In the address bar, type in "vnc://" and then your IP address. Authenticate with your normal login information, and your desktop should appear.

3. iTunes Library
Since buying the iPhone I never have my full iTunes library wherever I go. This didn't seem to be that big of a problem since I didn't listen to a majority of my library at a time anyway. But there are times when I'm itching to listen to one particular song I haven't listened to in a while, and my iPhone doesn't have it since I didn't sync it.

SimplifyMedia comes into play here. According to their website, "Simplify Media software lets you share your photos and music using programs like iTunes, iPhoto, and Windows Media Player." While they do have photo streaming as well, I've only used the music portion extensively.

To effectively stream your iTunes library anywhere, you'll need to download their Mac app and register. Select to share your Home Mac's library and it'll scan your entire library.

From another computer (Mac/Windows/Linux) or iPhone/iPod touch, you can download the software and follow their installation procedures. Once you have that set, you can stream your iTunes library anywhere you go so long as the Internet is available and the client computer has iTunes, Windows Media Player, or any of their supported software. I find this to be very useful with my iPhone streaming over 3G.

The one downside to Simplify Media is that you'll need to have it open all the time. I set it to launch when I login for my Mac, and open it when needed on my netbook or iPhone.

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That's it! These were the configurations and settings I used to get my computer to become my own personal cloud. Let me know if you have any problems or improvements that come in the way through the comments section below.