Andy Burns wrote on Mon, 12 Feb 2024 16:49:20 +0000 :
>> I like the idea of SMB but then we have to delve into how to set SMB/CIFs
>> up since you mentioned installing ab SMB "server" (not an SMB "client").
>
> I have used the windows WebDAV client for synchronising files to/from an
> FTP server, but the windows client seems able to find a new way to break
> every few months. but in general I'd say a webDAV server on the phone
> ought to be simpler to setup than a CIFS/SMB server ... it will still
> need storage permission for the same reason the SSH/FTP server needs it.
I'm still confused, but let me state first my experience is I've set up all
the free WebDAV "servers" on Android and most (if not all) of the free SMB
"clients" on Android, and what is different mostly, is the SMB clients are
often plugins to file explorers while WebDAV servers are standalone apps -
and another thing that's different is Windows needs NOTHING to work with
Android WebDAV servers but Windows needs sharing set up for SMB clients.
I don't think it's possible to set up a working SMB "server" on Android to
work with Windows - which is why it matters the "server" versus "client".
The reason is that Android won't let you use ports below 1024 if you're not
rooted and yet Windows won't use ports above 1024 for SMB clients to
connect. You're stuck in a catch-22 situation with SMB servers on Android.
>> Since Windows already has a native SMB/CIFs server running all the time
>> (AFAIK), did you mean to install an SMB "client" on non-rooted Android?
>>
>> Or did you really mean to install an SMB "server" on rooted Android?
>
> I was thinking server on the android end, but WebDAV sounds easier than SMB.
Free WebDAV "servers" on Android I've tested.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.theolivetree.webdavserver
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.zq.webdav.app_free
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=slowscript.httpfileserver
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.smestorage
Free SMB "clients" on Android I've tested.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=de.maza.zpush
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.ghostsq.commander
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.sobha.filemanager
Most SMB clients seem to be part of a file manager, not dedicated apps.
This, for example, is a free SMB "server" for Android.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.icecoldapps.serversultimate.packb
>> The reason is you don't get to pick the ports if you are not rooted when
>> you install an SMB "server" on Android, and yet Windows picked the ports.
>>
>> So it won't work (if you had meant "server").
>> But it can work if you had meant "client").
>>
>> Can you clarify as it might be nice to learn how to set up an SMB "client"
>> on Android that talks to the SMB "server" on Windows to share files over
>> Wi-Fi on the LAN.
>
> Haven't tried that ...
I've tried it, but paradoxically, the problem is I don't know how to do the
Windows share networking part which isn't as easy as you might think it is.
What I want is an SMB client on Android (they exist) which talks to a
Windows share (seems easy to set up - but wait - there's more) without any
of the login/password stuff (since Android doesn't have a login password
and my Windows isn't set up with a password) and without the encryption
(because I don't need it).
It's hard to do that because you have to understand Windows better than I
do (otherwise, it's probably easy if you understand Windows).