How to Connect to Local Shares using Avahi

[Ahau]

Note: This requires Porteus version 1.2 (currently in RC1) or higher. Technically, this thread ought to be in the development forum, but I'm lazy and don't want to bother remembering to move it here after 1.2 final is released

As of version 1.2, all editions of Porteus include Avahi, a free zeroconf implementation that allows you to connect to services and hosts running on a local network. For example, you could start Porteus on two or more computers in your network (you'd only need one CD or flash drive if you boot with 'copy2ram' and move the cd/flash drive over to the next computer to start it up), then transfer files between computers.

In order to browse across two or more computers running Porteus, you will need to activate the ssh daemon, which is deactivated by default for security reasons. To start it, you need to run the following (as root user) on the system(s) you want to operate as a host:

Code: Select all

chmod +x /etc/rc.d/rc.sshd
/etc/rc.d/rc.sshd start

Note: It is strongly recommended that you change your passwords from the defaults (toor/guest) in order to deter unauthorized access to your system via ssh. You can change your passwords using the 'passwd' command or by using Porteus Settings Centre.

It is also a good idea to change your hostname from the default (porteus) so that you can tell your systems apart when browsing. You can do this with the following code:

Code: Select all

avahi-set-host-name newhostname

Once sshd is running, you can select "Avahi SSH Server Browser" under the "Network" or "Internet" submenu on the system you want to use as the client. A dialog will open showing the hostname of the host computer. Double click on the host name, and you will be prompted for a password and logged in via an ssh shell, where you can view, modify, and transfer files. You can also browse your filesystems through Thunar (by clicking on the Network button) and pcmanfm (by clicking on the 'Go' menu and selecting 'Network Drives').

I'm still figuring out all of the ways to use this powerful tool -- if anyone has something to add, feel free!

[wread]

Fine bussiness, Ahau!
I have been using Avahi in kde4 32 bits for a while; I start avahi from rootcopy/etc/rc.local. Now I see the new 1.2rc1 starts avahi in /base; WE WILL CONQUER THE WORLD! My thanks also to brokenman, who compiled Trinity with avahi capabilities.

Regards!