Remote PC Connection scenario

Dublinguy · #1 10-21-2004, 10:06 AM

Hi guys,

Just wondering, is it possible to connect two standalone PC's that both have DSL connections remotely?

Here is the situation, the little woman got a DSL connection for her standalone office PC. What she was wondering was would it be possible for her to connect to the office PC from our own home DSL connection? Allowing her to access the different applications and files on her office PC.

The office PC does not have a static IP address and it is running Win2000. The home PC doesnt have a static IP address either and is running WinXP.

Any help would be appreciated

Ciaran

PS If it is only possible by spending a lot of money its not going to be cost effective.

PossibleSideEffect · #2 10-21-2004, 10:27 AM

It depends on the firewall settings.
PC Anywhere works fairly well.

Dublinguy · #3 10-21-2004, 10:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PossibleSideEffect

It depends on the firewall settings.
PC Anywhere works fairly well.

So no extra hardware is needed? How would I know what the correct IP Address is considering there is no static IP address for the office PC?

PossibleSideEffect · #4 10-21-2004, 03:08 PM

Go here to see if this is what you're looking for...
http://www.symantec.com/pcanywhere/Consumer/index.html

Oz · #5 10-21-2004, 09:56 PM

If you don't want to shell out for PCAnywhere, run a program called VNC. You can download the full installation from:
www.realvnc.com

You will need to enable the correct ports on any security or firewall software, and may need to forward ports through your router to get it to work correctly.

If you can add an FTP server, you will have the full functionality of PC Anywhere for free.

I would request static IPs from both ISPs first, but it is possible to do it with dynamic IPs (provided they are relatively stable once connected).

To find out the IP, run a command prompt (start -> run -> type 'cmd' -> press enter) and type 'ipconfig/all'

Write down the IP's of whatever computer you need to connect to and configure the VNC server correctly.

Let us know how you go and post here with any questions.

I was running this, along with other remote connection software at the office before I setup a proper VPN.

Dublinguy · #6 10-22-2004, 04:32 AM

Thanks guys, I was aware of Pcanywhere because I know that one of the companies that my Fiance deals with sometimes needs to dial inot the machine.

Oz, I also know about VNC I have used it quite a bit and its a nifty little program. I think that might be the best place to start. When it comes to networks I am completely clueless ask me to write software or debug a system no problems (well I should hope so considering I make a living out of it, otherwise I am ripping the company off big time

) so OZ you might regret offering to answer my questions cause I am sure I will have a number of them.

One point I agree with is the statis IP address, it would be only needed on one PC, the office PC so the company can shell out for that. Otherwise my Fiance will have to remember to take down the ip address every evening.

Thanks again Guys

Oz · #7 10-22-2004, 08:33 AM

Even with DHCP enabled, your DSL connections IP should only change when it is reset - ie. turned off or a service problem. Not often. If she can make checking it part of her routine, nice one. If not, you could quite easily write a batch file that would run ipconfig/all in a command prompt and email the info to a home-based email address.

Good luck - here if you need me.

I have PCAnywhere, VNC, FTP and VPN set up on Server 2003 at work and it took ages to get the 3 routers and WAP to work properly with it all, whilst having the firewall and security on.

But we got there.

Dublinguy · #8 10-22-2004, 09:06 AM

Will the IP address only change when the router/modem is turned off? What if the PC is turned off? When its booted again will the IP address stay the same if the router/modem has been left on?

Also we both have the same ISP's therfore the same ADSL modems they are Netopia Caymens (not sure if this means anything). So I am not sure about the DHCP whether it is built in or a special option on certian router/modems?

Like I said I am clueless when it comes to networks and IP address's. And the fool that I want to get wireless in the house. yes I am a glutton for punishment. (ate least Im getting paid for the work in the office)

Webmaster_Zeus · #9 10-26-2004, 10:14 AM

Remote connection as in the need for GUI or without?

Just grab a program that allows dynamic mapping of IP addresses, no-ip is one of them free organization which maps dynamic ip address to a defined address type with u register to it.

It allows you to host any services on your pc providing you have the necessary facilities (software and hardware wise to host it).

Remember with all remote connection is security, you might want to add a firewall and also look into port fowarding as since the services will be run on one machine. You will also need to look into ssh as I don't really trust VNC due to them having security issues, actually any form of remote, unguided or guided form of connection have their security problems, but if u can hedge that I don't see why you should settle for lest. Best of luck.

But in summary,
1. get a software like no-ip and set it up (there are guides on the website so you can read it for your own info and how to set it up)
2. port foward the necessary port numbers from your router to the local ip address (on your internal network) so connections can be established from the outside
3. look into security, firewall at least.

Oz · #10 10-26-2004, 11:45 PM

Dublinguy - the IP you are connecting to is that of your DSL modem. It will only change if reset or switched off.

Webmaster_Zeus · #11 10-27-2004, 02:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oz

Dublinguy - the IP you are connecting to is that of your DSL modem. It will only change if reset or switched off.

It depends if the server decides to not renew the DHCP lease it has provided to a node. Remember that all IP leased in DHCP have a time period before it expires and has to be renewed, so if its not renewed it will be either issued a new IP, or reasons that will be outlined in the usage policies.

Dublinguy · #12 10-27-2004, 05:13 AM

Hi guys, been looking in to this a bit more and yes I can enable the DCHP and I can specify the length of time I want to lease the IP for. Not sure yet if there is a maximum amount of time. The broadband is now up and running so I need to make a decision on which piece of software to use. I am inclined to go with VNC as I have used it already so have an idea of what to so with it. I already had in mind that a firewall will be needed because some of the info on the PC that I will be connecting into has some sensitive info on it. Thanks for all the help. Will be doing this shortly so might be dropping one or two of you a mail soon if I have queries.

I got the first job out of the way at the weekend and that was to get the PC running properly again. My god I have never seen so much dust inside a case before....and my Fiance was wondering why her PC was slow....HAHAHA...anyway half way there to earning the funds for my wireless home network...WHOOO!

Webmaster_Zeus · #13 10-27-2004, 07:50 PM

You will require a service to map an address to your dynamic IP. SO basically this service acts like a DNS but for you only. This is what no-ip does.

All you do is connect to the address no-ip assigns to u (u have a selection) and that's it, no need to mess with IP's etc.

Also you will need a firewall to filter out services which you may or may not want to be able to connect to the pc, and you'll most likely need some sort of user management system to control access to who can access what.

Your best option is to use NO-IP (its free, so I don't know why you keep ignoring this) and firewall. If you have a router you will just need to port foward the ports to the ip address that the pc you want to connect to.

Dublinguy · #14 10-28-2004, 03:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Webmaster_Zeus

Your best option is to use NO-IP (its free, so I don't know why you keep ignoring this) and firewall.

Like I said I have used VNC in a number of companies and am quite familiar with it....thats the reason. Also like I said I was aware of the firewall issue. Thanks for the help, I will look into NO-IP.

Webmaster_Zeus · #15 10-28-2004, 08:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dublinguy

Like I said I have used VNC in a number of companies and am quite familiar with it....thats the reason. Also like I said I was aware of the firewall issue. Thanks for the help, I will look into NO-IP.

The issue wasn't with VNC, it was with NO-IP or a similar service. These services provide free mapping of dynamic IP address to a static domain name which you are assigned to. This in itself will eliminate a large subset of problems with creation of batch files, reliance of emails, automated services, etc. The NO-IP software will take care of the mapping of domain name to IP address, but as a backup run the automated scripts so you'll always have access to the machine if the NO-IP software fails.

In most cases if its critical to have it running at optimal time, static IP is the way to go, but VNC is good, but there is security issues but due to the way it creates a connection I would try to at least tunnel the connection through a ssh protocol or some sort.

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