Infrared File Transfer

Imagine that you are at a conference and would like to send a couple of files to someone that you have just met. There might not be a network available, and it is unlikely that you lug a serial cable with you when you travel. If both of you are using notebook computers, the best solution is to use infrared to send the files.

When two computers are within communicating range of each other (with the infrared port of each computer pointing at each other), Windows XP will automatically activate the irFTP application, which is found in the C:\Windows\system32 directory. The irFTP application allows two computers to exchange files using infrared. You can use this utility at the command prompt. To see a list of options, enter the command irftp /h.

Tip

Exchanging files between computers using infrared is similar to doing so with a Pocket PC; this is demonstrated in the following section.

Computer to Pocket PC

Most Pocket PCs contain a built-in infrared port for communicating with the outside world. Using the infrared port, you can transfer files from the Pocket PC to the computer (and vice versa) without using a cable. Figure 7-4 shows the iPaq 3870 with the infrared port located at the top.

The infrared port located at the top of the iPaq 3870

Figure 7-4. The infrared port located at the top of the iPaq 3870

When you align the infrared ports of both the Pocket PC and your computer, Windows XP will inform you that a Pocket ...

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