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+# Configuring File Transfer Over The Internet
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+
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+## Context
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+
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+In the OSCAR protocol, **Rendezvous** is a mechanism that lets two AIM clients exchange the necessary information to
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+establish a direct, peer-to-peer connection—typically used for file transfers.
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+
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+Back in the early 2000s, most computers were assigned a **public IP address** directly from their ISP. As a result, when
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+one AIM client sent its IP address to another, that address was routable on the public Internet. Today, almost everyone
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+is behind a router performing Network Address Translation (NAT). Consequently, the sender’s machine usually only has a
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+**private IP address** (e.g., `192.168.x.x`), which cannot be reached directly over the Internet.
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+
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+To work around this limitation, **Retro AIM Server** can substitute your client’s private IP address with the server’s
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+view of your **public IP address**. However, you still need to configure **port forwarding** on your router to ensure
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+that incoming Rendezvous connections (for file transfers) are routed to the correct machine.
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+
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+## Send File Setup
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+
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+This guide explains how to configure your Windows AIM client to send files over the Internet using the **Send File**
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+feature. If you only need to **receive** a file, no additional setup is required.
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+
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+### Caveats
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+
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+- **Same LAN Scenario**
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+ If both Retro AIM server and your AIM client are on the same local network (LAN), you do **not** need these steps.
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+
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+- **Mixed LAN and Internet**
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+ If the sending client and the server are on the same LAN while the receiver is on the Internet, this guide may not
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+ work as intended.
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+
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+- **Security Notice**
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+ Rendezvous makes your IP address visible to the recipient. Opening a port on your home network allows inbound Internet
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+ traffic to reach your computer on that port. Use careful judgment and consider the security implications before
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+ proceeding.
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+
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+### 1. Configure AIM Port
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+
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+1. Open the **AIM Preferences** window.
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+2. Select **File Transfer** from the sidebar or menu.
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+3. In the **Port number to use** field, enter a high port number such as `4000`.
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+
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+### 2. Set Up Router Port Forwarding
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+
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+1. Log in to your router’s admin interface.
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+2. Create a new **port forwarding** rule:
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+ - Forward **TCP** port `4000` (or the port you chose)
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+ - Send that traffic to the **local IP address** of the computer running AIM
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+3. Save or apply the changes.
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+
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+### 3. Send a File
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+
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+Once everything is set up:
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+
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+1. Start an IM with a friend.
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+2. Go to **File** > **Send File...** (or use the appropriate menu option in your AIM client).
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+3. Choose the file you want to send.
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+4. Your friend should now receive a prompt to accept or decline the file.
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+
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+If the receiver is on the Internet and your port forwarding is correct, the direct file transfer should succeed.
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Mike