XP Pro to Server?

[j. galloway]

Hello All,

I may be getting in over my head as evidenced by this
post. Please advise me of a better posting place if this
is the wrong forum.
I saw this article in WinXP-News, "Use Your Web Browser
to Connect to a Remote Desktop". I would like to play
with this technology.

1st) If I install IIS then download and install "Remote
Desktop Connection Web Connection Software Download"
Would my Win XP Pro box then be able to meet these
requirements if configured correctly:
"a Web server running Windows NT 4.0 Server or later
and Internet Information Server 4.0 or later" I mean, is
XP Pro capable of being configured as a web server?

2nd) If I can meet these requirements from the previously
asked question, do you know if this means I would be able
to access my own desktop from another machine out there
somewhere else on the internet?

Obviously I have a long way to go to understanding what
this is, but is it possible from my XP Pro OS?

Thanks for your patience,
j. galloway

 

[Admiral Q]

Yes, XP Pro can be configured to be a Web Server using IIS 5.1 - but it
has crippled limitations, but enough for development of web pages and/or day
to day access by 5 or less people.
As far as connecting from out there in the internet, again , this is
possible, several ways, the most secure using VPN, but if you wish to type
in www.mywebsite.com and go to your web server page, then you'll need a
registered domain, you'll need an ISP that allows you to host your own web
server on your own hardware (most residential services have this as a
violation in their terms of use) and make sure you have someone good at
configuring you XP security, firewall and Virus Software - keeping all
patches/updates applied, etc - and just beware, if you have a good site,
where lots of people are visiting, XP Pro will not handle the traffic and
about 80% of your visitors will get the dreaded 404 page cannot be
displayed.

--
Star Fleet Admiral Q @ your service!
"Google is your Friend!"
www.google.com

***********************************************

 

[Mike Kolitz]

1st question: If you have XP Pro and install IIS, your computer will be
capable of serving web pages, but not at the same volume as machine running
a server version of Windows. XP Pro has a maximum incoming concurrent
connection limit of 10 - so if you have 10 computers connected and an 11th
tries to connect, it will get denied access to the content you're serving.

2nd question: Theoretically, yes. Lots of ISPs actually prevent people
from running services on port 80, which is the port used by web servers, so
you may not be able to access your home machine from another computer on the
internet. Aside from that, it's *very* dangerous to have your machine
connected directly to the internet, especially if you're going to be
offering services that would allow remote control.

You should absolutely be using the Windows XP SP2 firewall, or another
software or hardware firewall for protection.

 

[j. galloway]

Admiral,

Given my limited experience, it definitely sounds too
risky and complicated to simply access my computer
from "out there"
I think I'll just subscribe to "go to my PC" or the like.


Thanks for your time.

jeff

 

[j. galloway]

Hey Mike,

Given my limited experience, it definitely sounds too
risky and complicated to simply access my computer
from "out there"
I think I'll just subscribe to "go to my PC" or the like.


Thanks for your time.

jeff