Remotely storing data between computers or devices across a wide area network
for purposes of redundancy or collaboration. A service brokers the transfer of
data between an initiating computer and a destination device, thereby establishing
a peer-to-peer architecture by which data of the initiating computer can be stored
remotely on the destination device. The process begins as the initiating computer
issues a request for permission to store the data remotely on an identified destination
device. The permission is granted if the initiating computer properly identifies
the destination device using information, such as a network address or a password,
that is privately communicated between the users of the destination device and
the initiating computer. Accordingly, substantially any computer user having access
to the Internet can achieve remote backup of data and remote collaboration of data
with the assistance of a trusted third party who also is registered with the service.
