Configuring Remote Desktop

[Connie]

We have a small office network and each of us would like
to access our work computers from our laptops, home
computers or from the road. The office computer has a DSL
router. Each work computer has a static IP address. What
are the proper steps for configuring our individual work
computers and router for allowing remote access?

It seems that we would:

1.enable our work computers running XP Pro to allow remote
connections
2. Install the remote desktop client software on our home
and laptop computers if not running XP Pro.
3. Establish a VPN connection from the client to the host
(which ports need to be given access through the router)
4. Create a remote desktop connection from each of our
home or laptop computers.

Is this correct and could you please provide help on the
port information and if it is possible for more than one
remote user to establish a connection to the office
computers simul;taneously? Also, if connecting via the
internet on computers other than our home or laptop
computers would we use the web based solutions?

Thank you in advance.

 

[Greg Kissell]

This is a complicated question.

First, if you are using a router that provides NAT
(Network Address Translation) you can only access a
single computer inside your office. Not one-at-a-time,
but ONLY one.

To allow remote access to each computer would require
each machine in the office to have a public IP address
reachable from outside your router/firewall. (Not common)
Or multiple public addresses mapped to multiple private
address. (Also not common)

Client software is available from Microsoft download site
for non XP machines.

The port to map through your router/firewall 3389 tcp.
This would map to a single inside address.

You would also need to know the static address of your
router to connect. Or, if using dynamic addressing
subscribe to a DNS service such as DynDns.org and follow
the instructions for an account and update software to
install in your office.

The web interface is very useful for clients not running
XP. Although not required it is much easier to access and
offers a better presentation that the non-XP client
interface.

There are other options including VPN and Terminal
Services that may be more appropriate to your
circumstance.

I would consider professional help to make this work for
you, correctly.

Greg