How to remote desktop with this scenario?

[rekta]

Hi all,

I am wondering if there is a way to remote desktop access two different computers with this scenario:

My home has 3 computers networked via a router .. IP's are set in AUTO DHCP giving a range of IP's from 192.168.1.10 - 192.168.1.12

My computer is the 192.168.1.12 (The one I'll be using to remote access the other computer)

The "Other" Computer is located to an Internet Cafe (which I own) ... the store has only 8 computers. They are also networked using an 8-port router set to AUTO DHCP. But I set the IP ranges to the exact number .. It is set to 192.168.1.20 - 192.168.1.27 only.

*Someone said that I have to set those IPs to static not auto DHCP*

Anyway, another thing is my internet at home uses a different ISP from my cafe (different companies .. both hi-speed broadband connection)

ATM, the computer I want to access from my Internet Cafe has this auto dhcp ip number (192.168.1.25) .. I don't turn off those computers so its always set to that number. But I know I still need to set those computers to static IP, but I just need confirmation from you guys.

Both computers have Windows XP Pro SP2 (up to date).

As much as I want to use a third party application to do this (like logmein), I still want/need to know how to use the built-in remote desktop from Windows XP. Not because its free, but because I just need to know the basics then use a third party application later (if complications arise).

Can someone help me do this?? Is this even possible?

Thank you very much.

 

[Jamsan]

If you never, ever turn off the PC's at the LAN cafe, you don't truly need to setup static IPs. However, it will make life easier.

It should be as simple as the following steps

1) Enable remote desktop on the PC you are going to be connecting to (right click My Computer --> Properties, Remote Desktop tab and enable it.

2) Either disable the Windows Firewall or enable the exception for Remote Desktop (should be created by default).

3) On the router at your LAN cafe, setup port forwarding to forward port 3389 to the IP of the PC you want to connect to.

4) On the PC at your house, open up remote desktop, enter the IP provided by your ISP at the LAN cafe. (www.whatismyip.com should be able to provide this IP). Do NOT enter the IP that starts with 192.x.x.x

That should be it to connect. I may have missed something, but this should be all thats required. If you don't get a static IP from your ISP at the LAN cafe or have something that changes more frequenct than not, you may want to look into setting some kind of Dynamic DNS up (www.dyndns.org). It will allow you to setup a domain name that can be updated with your IP so you don't have to keep looking up your IP if it changes.

 

[rekta]

Hey Jamsan,

Thanks for the quick reply. Its very informative.

Right now, I'm here at my internet cafe. I forgot to mention that both of my Internet have dynamic ips from my ISP. I guess I really have to register an account to dyndns.org.

However, I have a problem. The 8-port router I have here doesn't have any port forwarding options. This router was given to me by my ISP (business plan) and they said that I can't put my own router. The router was specifically designed to work with their ISP only (I can verify that the firmware was modified by them). Luckily, this router can support dyndns.org. I can only put my OWN router AFTER the router they gave me. Moreover, the router they gave me has UPnP forwading instead of port forwarding. Does it work ok? Are they the same?

Thanks again!

 

[kevnich2]

Just to let you know, it'll be much easier just to setup a free account with logmein.com and install the utility on all the computers you want to control remotely. This way you don't have to fumble with dynamic IP's, changing port forwarding to different IP addresses, etc, etc. It's what I use and have been using for all my family around the country that need computer help, they call with computer problem, I login to my account, click their computer name (It lists all the computers you've installed the utility on) and voila, I'm in.

Also, what ISP do you use that said you can't put in your own router?? I wouldn't trust an ISP that said that to me, I'm paying for it, I'll use whatever router I want to.

 

[rekta]

Hi Kev,

Thanks for the reply. I'm here in Asia and its something like a monopoly thing. I myself questioned them about this concept and they said thats how it works. If I could only leave them use a different ISP, I'll do it in a flash. Unfortunately, I can't They are the only one that supplies Internet on that area.

Regarding the logmein thinggy .. yup .. I actually tried it last year (but a different scenario, not PC in a network to PC in a network) and its a very nice app. I loved it. Right now, I'm also trying to learn on how it works (the hard way). As soon as I know how it works the hard way, i'll install all my computers with logmein

If anyone could provide me a link of the basics for remote desktop connection (how it works), that would be great!

Thanks for the great input!

 

[JackMDS]

These two pages do not deal Directly with Remote Desktop but the principle is the same for Remote Desktop.

http://www.ezlan.net/myip.html

http://www.ezlan.net/vnc.html

Remote Desktop

http://www.microsoft.com/windo.../northrup_03may16.mspx

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/306759

 

[rekta]

thanks man!

 

[Rafael]

You could check if there are any ports open available that the router and your ISP do not block.
And then change the Remote desktop port.
You need to change in the Windows registry.

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Control\TerminalServer\WinStations\RDP-Tcp\PortNumber

Then you change the port from 3389 to whatever port is open or you desire.
But remember you will need to change in both ends, so at your house and at your internet cafe.

Hope this can help you out!

Rafael

 

[rekta]

Thanks for the tip Rafael