Remote access to WHS v1 from Win 8.1 client

[boomerang]

I find that I am unable to connect to my WHS box remotely on computers running both 8.1 and 7. I can connect with my Android phone using the same network the computers are on.

I have yet to find "the" site that gives me the answer and was wondering if anyone here has any suggestions.

I have tried with the firewall turned off, UAC (on 8.1 computer) turned off and I have enabled everything related to .NET Framework 3.5 through Windows Features which covers the sum of what I've turned up so far. Thankfully, there is nothing on there I desperately need as I will be away from home for the next three months. It may be time for a Synology box when I return...

 

[Binky]

How are you trying to connect? You should be able to use RDP and the WHS launcher without any configuration.

 

[boomerang]

How are you trying to connect? You should be able to use RDP and the WHS launcher without any configuration.

Through the 'net using the url of the box. xxxxx.homeserver.com I don't have a static IP at my home.

 

[raf051888]

Try doing an nslookup on your Android and then doing an nslookup on the PCs that are unable to connect. The IP address for the server should be the same on all devices.

For clarity, you are attempting to connect to xxxx.homeserver.com, from outside the network the server is on?

 

[boomerang]

For clarity, you are attempting to connect to xxxx.homeserver.com, from outside the network the server is on?

That would be correct. How would I use nslookup? From a command prompt, nslookup<space>xxxx.homeserver.com?

 

[raf051888]

From a command prompt in Windows. You may have to download an application on your phone.

 

[boomerang]

From a command prompt in Windows. You may have to download an application on your phone.

Yeah. But on the assumption that they would all would give the same IP, I cannot connect using the IP nslookup returns in Windows. Which I feel is because it is not returning the IP Comcast has leased to my account at this moment in time. It is the IP of the server that acts as the go-between. (yeah, not the right technical term)

I think it's important to remember that my phone gives me the opportunity to log in to my WHS while on the same network as the two laptops. It's got to be a Windows issue, not one that is IP related. But, if I'm not thinking correctly, I'm open to constructive criticism.

 

[raf051888]

Can you connect to the server from the PC with the IP the phone gives you? If so, its an DNS issue. I'm running WHS myself at home.

 

[boomerang]

Can you connect to the server from the PC with the IP the phone gives you? If so, its an DNS issue. I'm running WHS myself at home.

OK, I'm following you now. Will have to get an app for the phone. May be a while before I'm back.

 

[boomerang]

Well, this is interesting. I cannot login through the phone. I get the login screen with the happy people doing happy things (which is farther than I get with the computer) but clicking on the Log On button gives me a Webpage not available message.

Same IP from phone and 8.1 computer.

Some background that may explain all or part. For the longest time I had a Comcast modem and my own wireless router running DD-WRT. To get the speed tier I was paying for, I got a newer modem from Comcast capable of DOCSIS 3 that had a wireless router incorporated into it. Yuck. There is more to the story, but it's not relevant. I opened up the ports needed in the new modem/router but never tested them from the outside world. I could not connect from inside my network as I could before because the new combo was not capable of loopback.

So, I may be fighting two issues or one at the very least. I may not have set up the port forwarding correctly and this is all an exercise in futility. I know I cannot manage the router from the outside world and I did not set it up to do so anyway even if it was possible. I think I'm probably screwed for the time being.

Edit: I'm trying to remember the last time I connected from the outside world and I'm pretty certain it was on a laptop running Win7. I cannot now connect on a Win 7 laptop so I think I've confirmed that at least part of my problem is related to the setup I did for port forwarding.

 

[raf051888]

Oh ok. I'm a big fan of DD-WRT myself. Portforward.com, maybe helpful forwarding the correct ports. From the sounds of it, you are running WHS v1, and the PnP port forwarding may not be playing nice with your modem / router combo.

Here is some info on the port forwarding for WHS v1.

http://www.mswhs.com/2007/06/what-ports-do-i-forward-in-my-router-for-whs/

 

[boomerang]

Thanks. It will all have to wait until April when I am back home.