Remote desktop connection outside home network

[Guest]

I managed to setup remote desktop so that I can connect to 1 of my 2
computers in my home newtwork from inside the network. However, also trying
to setup to be able to connect from outside my network I try this by
connecting to the "official" IP that my modem is assigned by my ISP. I did
set up port forwarding for 3389 and another port according to the
prescription here:
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/networking/expert/northrup_03may16.mspx

Trying from the browser I do not get access to anything. Do I have to try
from outside my network? Should be possible from inside also I guess.

I have MCE Windows XP pro.

any suggestions?

best regards
mattias

 

[Sooner Al [MVP]]

If you want to use the web based method you need to forward/open both TCP
Port 80 (IIS) and TCP Port 3389 (RDP) through your router and/or firewall.
Call from a remote PC using the public IP of the router or use a Fully
Qualified Domain Name (FQDN). You can get a *free* FQDN from numerous
providers. I use No-IP.com for example...

http://theillustratednetwork.mvps.o...ktopSetupandTroubleshooting.html#Call_Schemes

Note that to test this you must be on a remote PC. It is not a valid test to
call over your local LAN using the public IP of the router.

http://theillustratednetwork.mvps.org/RemoteDesktop/TroubleshootingDiagrams/Basic.html

http://theillustratednetwork.mvps.o...andTroubleshooting.html#Test_on_the_local_LAN

Also note that some ISPs block TCP Port 80 (IIS) because running personal
web servers violates the terms of agreement for residential service.
Personally I find running the normal RDP client/server without the IIS
component works very well. IIS, IMHO, adds unneeded complexity and security
issues for the average Small Office/Home Office (SoHo) user. If you want or
need added security run RDP through a VPN or SSH tunnel.

--
Al Jarvi (MS-MVP Windows Networking)

Please post *ALL* questions and replies to the news group for the
mutual benefit of all of us...
The MS-MVP Program - http://mvp.support.microsoft.com
This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no
rights...

 

[Guest]

Thanks alot!

A few follow up questions though:

1. I learned how to change from using port 80 to another port # for
increased sequrity. Is that not possible? (see link in my first post)

2. You say it is not a valid test to check from inside the home network if
the remote desktop works. Do you mean that it will not tell me if it works
from outside or that it is not possible? For me it seems to be not possible
although I thought it would work...

thanks again!
mattias

 

[Sooner Al [MVP]]

If you can change the IIS port from 80 to something else then that should
work as long as you also forward the new port through your router.

Most consumer grade routers do not support that loopback type test, ie. from
one PC on your local LAN you can't call another PC on the same LAN using the
public IP of the router. A valid local test is like the one I detailed in
the link I pointed you to. Otherwise you need to be at a remote site to test
through the router.

--
Al Jarvi (MS-MVP Windows Networking)

Please post *ALL* questions and replies to the news group for the
mutual benefit of all of us...
The MS-MVP Program - http://mvp.support.microsoft.com
This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no
rights...