There are any number of solutions available for sharing files with others ranging from sending e-mail attachments
(slow and inefficient), uploading files to an FTP server or web account, or an online service. The problem with all of
these solutions is that they use bandwidth and take time. With the Mirra Personal
Server (MPS) in place, sharing a file or folder full of files is fast and requires a couple of clicks of the
mouse.
MPS provides file sharing over your local area network with other PCs running the Mirra client software as well as
friends, family, and co-workers over the web. The big difference between the two methods is that other users on your
LAN get full file synchronization (if desired) so that their local copy of your shared files are updated in real time
on their systems whenever you modify a shared file.
Sharing files is a simple matter. Select the Sharing tab in the Mirra client software and click on New Share… Select
the folder (or folders) you wish to share and then select users, either from the list of LAN users or the Address book.
By default, permissions are set to allow those you share files with to view, read and download files. You can modify
these permissions to also allow file uploads if you choose.
I was disappointed that there's no way to import a list of people into the Mirra client software from Outlook or another contact manager. They must be entered, one-at-a-time into the Mirra Address Book or on-the-fly as you're creating shares. I hope to see an import tool added as the software evolves.
You can modify the list of people who have access to a share at any time using the "Change who shares…" command, turn off a share, or synchronize folders others on the LAN have shared with you from this same tab.
When you extend an invitation to share files with others not on your LAN, they receive an e-mail from you via mirra.com. Clicking on the link in the e-mail, they are prompted to create a free account at the Mirra site (one-time only) and then are provided access to your share in their browser. This is a secure, encrypted connection that the Mirra service creates using 128-bit SSL encryption to connect the guest to your MPS. Image files can be viewed as thumbnails - a very nice touch when you’re sharing pictures, especially with those on slow dial-up connections.
I can’t overstate the simplicity of this service. Both sides of the sharing transaction are simple to use and the performance is outstanding. Because Mirra sharing is browser-based and incoming and outbound traffic uses the standard web port 80, no configuration of your broadband router or software firewall seems to be required ( you may need to teach your firewall software to permit the Mirra server processes the first time you set it up). The substantial documentation provided with the MPS has a number of recommendations for those using VPN clients and for configuring firewalls for more complex installations.
MPS is available in three storage capacities: 80GB for $399, 120GB for $499, and 250GB for $749. The Mirra Personal Server is available online from Amazon.com, Best Buy, CompUSA, Dell, and direct from Mirra. MPS is also available at select Best Buy and CompUSA stores.
The best recommendation I can give is that we often forget the MPS is there. The backup operations are transparent and do not interfere with our normal computer use at all. My son can be happily playing an online game while the MPS is backing up his system and he experiences no degradation in performance (trust me, I’d know if he did!). Both of my kids, who can’t usually be “bothered” to back up their files, feel a lot better knowing this is now something that happens “auto-magically”. And, as network administrator for my home, I am delighted that in the case of some small or large PC disaster, recovery of lost or “messed up” files is a couple of clicks away. To paraphrase the popular MasterCard commercial: cost of dad’s peace of mind - priceless.
1. I've been following your reviews of the Mirra and have to say that I'm impressed.....both by the Mirra and the thorough review. I have one question, which you may not be able to answer, but I wonder if the internal hard drive could be swapped out for a larger one? The hefty price tag on this box makes it a prime candidate for TiVo style hardware hacking.
Posted at 6:20AM on Dec 19th 2005 by Nitin