Comcast Business Class: Any way to use Remote Desktop?

[Earwax]

I spent most of last night trying to figure out how to configure remote desktop via my new comcast business class connection, and I failed. I do not have a static ip, but previously had comcast residential over a motorola surfboard modem and linksys router and could remote in to my home computer from work without any issues.

When the tech came to install business class, they told me I had to use their provided modem, the clunky SMCD3G. I've read a few posts on other forums that suggest if I don't need a static IP, I may be able to configure my old surfboard to work with business class and be set to go. Does anyone know if this is true? I'm a bit miffed about having to pay $7 a month for a modem rental. Comcast insisted to me on the phone that only this modem would work with business class, but from what I've read this is only true when ordering a static ip.

Aside from that, assuming the surfboard I own won't work, is there anyway for me to bridge the SMCD3G or just switch it to a pass-through so I can use my linksys router to log into my computers from work? I spent hours in the SMC admin panel trying different static routing options and trying to configure them within the admin panel of my linksys router but to no avail.

 

[drebo]

That SMC actually isn't terrible. You should be able to configure port forwards within it, the same as you would do with any NAT router.

See here: http://screenshots.portforward.com/SMC/SMCD3G-CCR/Port_Forwarding.htm

Just forward port 3389. Then set up a dynamic DNS client on your PC and it'll automatically update should your IP ever change.

 

[Earwax]

Man, thanks for the info. What you described is exactly how I thought I should set up the remote, but for whatever reason (probably rage and sleep deprivation) I couldn't get it to work last night.

I've almost got it all squared away now, the final issue I'm having is that for some reason windows firewall is blocking my second remote desktop port and I can't change the firewall settings. If anyone has any advice on how to manually tell windows firewall which port to use for remote desktop I'd appreciate it, right now the protocols tab is all greyed out and I can't modify it.

I think I'll be able to figure it out on my own with some searching though.

Thanks again.

 

[bobdole369]

You typically don't change the RDC port on the windows machine. A better way is to forward a different incoming port to 3389 on the windows machine such:

Internet port 3389 -> router -> port 3389 windows machine 1 (10.0.0.101)
Internet port 3390 -> router -> port 3389 windows machine 2 (10.0.0.102)
Internet port 3391 -> router -> port 3389 windows machine 3 (10.0.0.103)

Alternatively you can google around for the registry key to change to change the actual port on the windows machine from 3389 to another port. It would be simple to tell windows firewall to allow that port. Suggest figuring out how to use the firewall, or if you can't change them - you aren't an administrator, and you should either obtain the rights or ask your admin for help - likely there is a group policy in place?