need help setting up a VPN

[delussional77]

Hey everyone. I am trying to figure out how to use my Linksys RV042 to act as a VPN. At least thats what I think I need to do. My situation is that I need to be able to remotely control (via the remote desktop feature) of a main server in my fraternity. I'm going to b 2000+ miles away. I basically need to run a program on this server from my computer at home and figured remote desktop was the easiest way to do it (i'm a networking noob, so if there's a better solution please let me know).

Anyway, I have no idea how I need to set up my RV042 router from my house. I'm also not sure how i'm supposed to set up the VPN at the other end. If anyone has any advice please let me know.

 

[destrekor]

so you are looking to be able to access your computer from anywhere?
remote desktop will do that, and only two things need to be done:
enable remote desktop to allow others to access your computer (and whatever account you choose to allow on the computer that can be used to login with, must have a password)
configure your router to forward port 3389 to the local ip of the server

to access that computer, all you will have to do is type in your public ip (the ip your ISP gives you) in the prompt for remote desktop (the 'run' command is mstsc) and it should pop up with a prompt to login

I am not so sure a VPN is exactly necessary in this situation, nor do I have the exact knowledge to tell you what to do to set up a VPN.

 

[delussional77]

Okay, i just tried what you said and it seemed to work. But i have a question though about the process.

When i'm 2000 miles away what IP adress am i going to put into that prompt? You said the one that the ISP gives me but that isn't the IP for the particular computer I'm trying to access.

Right now it worked when i typed in the local IP adress (192.126.1.XXX type adress), but how will it work when i'm not connected to this network anymore?

 

[destrekor]

yes you put in your public ip (ex. 72.89.221.6, 204.141.59.197, etc) and not your private ip (192.x.x.x), the public is the one the IP has setup for your connection.
you do this because the public ip is accessable from anywhere attached to the internet. but using your public ip, the request will be routed to the cable modem (or dsl modem, or what have you), and then to the router.
if you set up the port forwarding on your router correctly (in virtual servers or port forwarding or something to that nature, depending on router manufacturer), the router will recognize that the request must be sent to the computer you configured the router to forward it to.
so, no matter where you are, if you type in your public IP, your request will reach your computer at your house.

i hope that helped

 

[delussional77]

hey that worked awesomely!!! Thanks alot!

 

[destrekor]

no problem