RAS

[Hoober]

I'd like to set up RAS on my server at home so that I can access it from work. How hard is something like that to accomplish? I'm new to 2000 Server, so small words are a plus.

 

[Garion]

Not too difficult but the modem would answer ALL the incoming phone calls to the line - Probably not what you want. It's also very slow.. If you have a broadband connection (and I seem to recall you do from your Win2K post) I'd try something like WinVNC. It's like PC Anywhere but free. You'd have to open up the right ports through your router but that's not too difficult.

For security reasons you might not want to use the "autoport" to select the TCP port used by VNC - Instead pick something high (anywhere under 64,000).

- G

 

[Hoober]

What's the difference between RAS and VPN? Would it be easier to set up a VPN to access my server from work? I guess I thought you didn't need a modem to answer the Remote access calls, thought you could do it over the internet, but apparantly not. So would VPN be the way to go then?

Thanks for all your input Garion, I appreciate it.

 

[JackMDS]

Take a look here:



http://www.microsoft.com/ISN/ind_solutions/virtual_private_networking.asp

 

[Garion]

RAS, in it's original sense is strictly modem dial-in. I don't know if they have extended it in Win2k to include PPTP (MS's VPN protocol) or not - Would be logical.

VPN's are kind of a pain to setup and don't always do what you want. For example, many VPN's won't work through a firewall or a router that does NAT. If you work for a big company chances are very slim that you could VPN in. You might, however, be able to use remote control like VNC.

What are you trying to do? Access files? Run programs?

- G

 

[Hoober]

Both. I'd like to access files, run programs, and generally keep an eye on my server while I'm at work.

Thanks for the link, Jack. I'll take a look at it.

 

[Garion]

Good link Jack - Lots of interesting info there.

If you want to run programs, RAS and VPN probably aren't for you. The speed of your broadband connection probably won't really work well for that kind of thing. Go for VNC if you can do it from home. Pretty cool app to have around, in any case.

- G

 

[Hoober]

Ok, thanks Garion. I'll try that. And thanks for the link, Jack. ALOT of good info in there.

 

[Hoober]

Garion,

Do you know what ports WinVNC uses so that I can open up my router?

Thanks.

Edit: nevermind, if I'd just read your post all the way through I'd figure a lot of stuff out on my own. Lol.