How to set up HTTP File Server for remote file access
Discover how to use HTTP File Server on Windows, macOS, and Linux devices to remotely share and download files over Meshnet.
Last updated
Discover how to use HTTP File Server on Windows, macOS, and Linux devices to remotely share and download files over Meshnet.
Last updated
© 2024 Nord Security. All Rights Reserved.
HTTP File Server (HFS) is an open-source web server designed for convenient file sharing. It can be used as a more user-friendly alternative to shared folder configurations. However, without port forwarding, the HFS instance is limited only to the local area network (LAN).
With the help of Meshnet, you can form your own virtual network with devices from different networks all around the globe. This setup allows you to remotely access the HFS instance and share files with others without compromising your home network’s security.
This guide showcases how you can set up HTTP File Server on Windows, macOS, and Linux devices and access the shared files from remote devices over Meshnet.
First, you need to configure the HTTP File Server software on your device.
Begin by downloading the latest version of HFS and starting it.
Visit the Releases page of the HFS GitHub repository.
Download the latest archive for Windows and extract its contents to a dedicated folder.
Launch the hfs executable file.
If the Microsoft Defender SmartScreen window shows up, select More info and click Run anyway.
The executable will open a PowerShell window displaying information about your HFS instance and network interfaces.
Once the server is started, the HFS admin panel should open in your default internet browser.
Note
When the server is active, it is recommended to create a dedicated administrator account. This way, you can manage your server’s settings from other devices. The default configuration allows administrator access only from the same device.
On the HFS admin panel, click the Accounts option on the left.
Select Add > User.
Fill in your preferred username and password and turn on the Admin-panel access toggle.
Click Save.
Your newly created user entry should be visible on the Accounts page.
After securing administrator access, you can import files you want to share with your Meshnet peers.
On the HFS admin panel, select the Shared files section.
In the lower-right corner, click Add > From disk.
Choose the files or folders you want to be shared on your HFS web interface and click Select.
The selected files should now appear on the Shared files page under Virtual file system.
After setting up the server, you can use its functionality remotely over Meshnet. The shared files can be seen on the HFS front-end page.
To access the HFS front-end page from remote devices in your Meshnet:
Copy the Nord name of the device running HFS from the NordVPN app.
Open your internet browser.
Paste the copied Nord name followed by a slash (/) to the URL field and press Enter.
Example
secret.meerkat-andes.nord/
The HFS front-end page should load, showcasing all of the files that are being shared from the server.
Tip
To access the admin panel from a remote device, click Login in the upper-right corner and enter your administrator account credentials. Upon logging in, click Options > Admin-panel.
Once you have accessed the HFS front-end page, you can download your preferred files. You can choose to download individual files and folders or group multiple items into a single download.
Hover your mouse over the name of the item you want to download.
If it is a single file, click its name. If it’s a folder — click the Menu button next to its name.
Click Download to start downloading the item.
Click the Select button at the top of the page.
Select the checkboxes next to the items you want to download.
In the upper-right corner, click ZIP to start the download.
Now you can conveniently share files between remote computers and mobile devices using the HFS web interface over Meshnet.
If the Windows security alert box appears, select both the private and public networks options, and then click Allow access to allow connections through the firewall.
