Setting up for Remote Access

[emcc]

I need help to set up both a home and office computer using the remote access capability of XP. We will want the user to be able to work from home on the office machine as if they are sitting at it.

The home computer is a Win2K machine and the office is an XP machine which sits behind a router. I have read knowledge base articles and found where you have to have the Remote Desktop Connection client software installed on the home machine, enable remote access on the XP machine and open port 3389. I don't have the whole picture on how to actually make the connection. Do I, by way of the network connection wizard for example, need to set up a new connection on the 2K machine? How do I handle the fact that the XP machine sits behind a router? Without using a VPN are there ways to make this secure? Can anyone help or point me to a how-to article???

Thanks in advance.....

 

[bcastner]

The connection is completely encrypted and secure.
On the router you need to make a port forwarding entry for TCP por 3389 to the IP of the workstation.
You do not create a DUN connectoid, you just run the Remote Desktop client.
In the client you enter the IP of the machine you are attempting to reach remotely.

 

[emcc]

What if the workstation doesn't have a static IP address (I believe the router dynamically assigns them)....this is where I get lost!

 

[bcastner]

Honestly, I would give it one. Pick an address outside of the DHCP scope of assignable addresses. Usually on or two higher than the router's own IP should be free.
e.g.
router IP: 192.168.1.1
try: 192.168.1.3

The subnet mask will be 255.255.255.0, and the Gateway will be the router IP.

 

[emcc]

Thanks...I'll give it a try tonight and let you know how I make out with it.

 

[bcastner]

Some articles that may prove useful:

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/using/howto/gomobile/remotedesktop/default.asp

http://www.wown.com/j_helmig/wxprmdtp.htm

http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=289289