Sharing folder over Ethernet and wifi

General Help
1

Hi so I have a desktop running ZorinOS, that I want to access the files from on my laptop, also running ZorinOS.

In the setting I turned on the Sharing feature and selected the folder I want shared, but the only network it shows to share over is Ethernet, which i have hooked up to the desktop, there is no wifi option shown even though I'm also connected to the wifi, i turned off my Ethernet and then I can see the share over wifi option, but if Ethernet is on, it disables the wifi option and can't use it to share the folder.

Is there a way around this? I don't want to disable my Eathernet it's much faster then my wifi.

Any ideas?

2

I suspect it might be a security issue. Your post triggered a different memory. When I was on secondment to the IT Department the Head of IT wanted me to ensure a recently deployed PC running Windows 95 that used a modem was not also connected to the network for fear of a data breach. But I could be wrong.

I think you might need to enter the allocated IP address to the machine you are trying to talk too but not sure how that fits.

As a general rule I advise that you use only the 'Public' folder on each device for sharing purposes.

Are they both in the same workgroup? Is samba and cifs installed on both? Or are you using NFS?

3

i didn't install anything, just used the built in sharing feature, the security reason could be, but is there any way to over ride that?

4

Probably a dumb question but do your ethernet and wifi connections both connect your desktop to the same router/network? (That's how mine works) If so, won't you reach your laptop either way?

I know there are circumstances under which if you are connected to both Zorin defaults to the ethernet but I read that a while ago and don't remember the context.

5

OK, no guarantees here.

First install Synaptic Package Manager
(it's in Software or via terminal:

sudo apt install synaptic

Launch it (you need to enter your password pre-launch) and then search for network file sharing [NFS], mark it for installation, then click on Apply.

Do this on both machines.

Next go to your Public folder and can't remember if right-click offers "share this folder" or right-click and select 'Properties' and option to share should show.