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General discussion

Windows remote desktop and netgear

May 11, 2005 1:39AM PDT

I am trying to utilize the windows remote destop feature ( I want to be able to connect to my computer using the internet, I can connect on the local LAN already) but seem to be having connection problems. I have beenunable to find any trouble shooting guides. I have a net gear WG614 wireless router and port fowarding is enabled. Anyone have any resources that could help me

Discussion is locked

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Have you enabled the remote desktop feature
May 11, 2005 1:44AM PDT

but then again, maybe you need to configure a VPN to be able to connect from Internet

Basically its depend on what you want to accomplished.

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Yes - what I want to do
May 11, 2005 1:52AM PDT

Yea I follow all of the set up procedure as outlined in the windows website instructions.

I just want to be able to connect to my commputer and control it from the internet at a remote location.

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Check list
May 11, 2005 5:12AM PDT

1, Make sure TCP 3389 are forward and the "server IP Address" is pointing to your WinXP.
2, Check and make sure you are using the correct WAN address (Public IP address) from the Internet. Go to " http://www.dslreports.com/whois " from your local network to view your public IP address.
3, Make sure Outgoing TCP 3389 is not block on the network you are connecting from.
4, Your WinXP machine on the local are not being use or turn off at the time you try to make the connection. Better yet, logoff your machine and let it sit and wait for connection.

If you dont already have a VPN server in your local network, setting up and using VPN to establish remote desktop will only make things hardly and seem unnecessary since Windows XP already use 128 bit encryption to encrypt most data transmissions in both directions. The information that are not encrypted are not sensitive information.

Hope this information will help.

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Note that RD is a utility available...
May 11, 2005 5:28AM PDT

in XP Pro. For other versions you may need a third party program, IE PCAnywhere etal.

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I have
May 12, 2005 1:31AM PDT

to ask the IT about the out going TCP 3389, Is this usually by default blocked? Our current IT guy quit so if this is my problem is there any way around that or does that have to be allowed in order to use remote destop.


I also started to look into getting a netgear router that has VPN capabilities and client software, would you know if I would have the same problems?

Thnaks again

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answers
May 13, 2005 1:49AM PDT

1, TCP 3389 are not generally block. However, its really depent on how your IT control the outgoing internet traffic. In most small/mid size business, the common way to share the internet connection is using a firewall device, but some are using what its call the "Proxy Server" to share it. In the case of Proxy, you'll have to manually configure the Proxy to allow outgoing TCP 3389.

2, If using the netgear VPN firewall with the client software, that will by pass the whole forwarding issues. But setting it up can be a bit tricky. I dont know how comfortable you are setting it yourself if you dont have some background about Key, Encryption Algorithm.... etc. Again, back to the question number one, if your company network allow outgoing VPN pass-through? Also, you'll have to make sure if your company network and your remote desktop network are not using the same subnet address (For example, if your company are using the 192.168.1.X addresses. Your remote desktop network will have to use something different like 172.16.0.X).

Bottom line is, adding VPN here may not make your life easier but for sure you'll have a better security connection between both location. Personally, I will not use VPN because I like to access my remote desktop anywhere that has a Windows XP computer with internet connection.

This is a bit long but I hope this will help.