need help setting up a VPN connection

[tokamak]

I have a Netgear RP614 router at home, with 3 computers connected to it. I'd like to be able to access one of the computers using Remote Desktop from my laptop from anywhere. I've set up Remote Desktop so that I can see the host computer when my laptop is connected to my home network.

Now, I assume the next step is VPN so that I can connect through the internet from anywhere. Client-side setup of VPN on my laptop was easy enough, but I don't know how to get the server-side VPN setup. Is it implemented through hardware (the router), or is there server software I will need to run at home? If that's the case, how does the VPN client know which computer to look for on the internal network? Any help is appreciated.

btw, all computers are running XP Pro.

 

[kamper]

VPN'd be overkill. If you figure out what port rdp uses, open that port on the router and forward it to your computer on the inside (rdp has some reasonable level of encryption right?). Then, from the client, put in your home's external ip for the hostname.

 

[Goosemaster]

http://hamachi.cc/

[/thread]

 

[Cable God]

Port is 3389, same as TS.

 

[dBTelos]

If you have a Dynamic IP, then you would need to setup a Static DNS service at a site such as: www.no-ip.org OR www.dyndns.org. You get a wide range of domains to chose from.

 

[Ctrackstar126]

Originally posted by: Goosemaster
http://hamachi.cc/

[/thread]

Is that what you would use or something for a noob?

 

[yukichigai]

Personally I'd just install TightVNC (or UltraVNC if you have a multi-monitor computer) and configure each install of it to use a different set of ports. Then make sure those ports are forwarded on your router and you can connect remotely with ease. (so long as you remember the ports) I use it at my apartment; much easier than setting up a VPN if all you want to do is remote control one of your machines.

 

[Goosemaster]

Originally posted by: Ctrackstar126

Originally posted by: Goosemaster
http://hamachi.cc/

[/thread]

Is that what you would use or something for a noob?

no way. It is actually an SSL VPN implementatio nwhich is a ROYAL PITA to setup. It takes advatage of technologies such as NAT-T (traversal) and is jsut an all around great solution.

I definitely use it. So much nicer than the PPTP VPN tunnels that I used to have with people from VA and TX