Remote networking questions

[bandgit]

I have several issues that I'm trying to find the best solutions for, so any advice would be profoundly appreciated:

1) I have just had a second ISP broadband service installed in my house. I did that on purpose since I earn my living on the net so if one goes out (I'm in a rural area) I can expect the other one to stay on. Now the problem is that my wife's PC is on one ISP and I'm on the other. We're used to having a shared folder to move files back and forth between us. Is there an easy way to keep doing that across ISPs?

2) I want to have a netbook set up so that it autolaunches at bootup into a webcam application. The reason for this is that I want to place it at my mother's house so she can see what's going on here (our first baby is due in July). She doesn't know the difference between a computer and a TV, so it needs to be set up in such a way that just pushing the power button will boot to the webcam images coming from here.

Thanks in advance for the help.

 

[Texashiker]

Is there an easy way to keep doing that across ISPs?

Install a second network card in both machines, assign a static ip address to the cards, connect both machines through a switch.

Most routers use a 192.168.X.X ip address range, try assigning a 172.X.X.X to the second cards.


Or, get an external drive and move it between the 2 machines.

I want to have a netbook set up so that it autolaunches at bootup into a webcam application

Add a shortcut to the application to the start up menu.

 

[JackMDS]

Assuming that you have a Router on each connection.

If you do not have Routers install one on each computer. It provides more security and a more stable connection.

Configure each Router and network on its own subnet***.

Then you need a second card on one of the computers.

Connect the second card to the Router of the other computer and configure the Computer with the second card Windows Bridging.

http://helpdeskgeek.com/windows-7/bridge-network-connections-in-windows-7/

***On Subnet

Classical IP looks like this (example), 192.168.1.x The first three groups are also called Subnet , and they identify the specific Network, x can be a number from 0 to 255, and it identifies each unique device on the Network.

An IP of 192.168.2.x would be a Subnet of another Network.

 

[imagoon]

Any reason why you cannot use a Dual WAN router? One network inside, both ISP's on the outside, auto failover etc.

 

[bandgit]

Thanks for the information. One of the computers is a laptop and it's only three feet away so I think that the easiest solution is to just use a USB flash key and toss it back and forth. As for the webcam being accessed from the remote netbook, how do I get the netbook to automatically find my webcam? We're on different continents unfortunately.

 

[Texashiker]

As for the webcam being accessed from the remote netbook, how do I get the netbook to automatically find my webcam? We're on different continents unfortunately.

On the router, setup port forwarding to the laptop. You will need to read the webcam software, and see what port you need to forward.

Here is the tricky part, check your router to see if it supports Dynamic DNS. If the router does not support DyDNS, there is some software you can download to the machine your webcam is on.

Register an account at dyndns.com.

Set the netbook to connect to your DyDNS name. If your ip address changes, the netbook will be able to get your new ip address by using the name you registered at Dydns.com.

If your home connection has a static ip address, don't worry about the Dydns setup.

 

[bandgit]

Thanks for the info but you lost me. I'm in Canada. My mom is in Italy. I have to set up the netbook here and courier it to her. She has a standard ADSL Telecom internet connection with absolutely nothing on it right now, no PC, no router, nada. How do I go about doing this?

 

[somethingsketchy]

Thanks for the info but you lost me. I'm in Canada. My mom is in Italy. I have to set up the netbook here and courier it to her. She has a standard ADSL Telecom internet connection with absolutely nothing on it right now, no PC, no router, nada. How do I go about doing this?

Short of going to Italy and setting it up for her, or have someone else that you trust to do the work for you, it can be difficult.

You could color code every cable, label every part and then write up a guide for your mother. When she gets the parts, she can plug and play (almost) without too many problems. The configuration could be done at your home and then you just have to ship everything to her home.

I've learned that if you write very detailed instructions (with pictures), even tech-insavvy people could understand what I was describing. You could try this with her, so you don't have to try to fly out to her house and install everything.

 

[xSauronx]

Thanks for the info but you lost me. I'm in Canada. My mom is in Italy. I have to set up the netbook here and courier it to her. She has a standard ADSL Telecom internet connection with absolutely nothing on it right now, no PC, no router, nada. How do I go about doing this?

id just think it would be easier to put logmein on it, and then you can do it for her. at least put it on for troubleshooting

and maybe skype would work? it can start up at boot, you can have an account on and connected at start up, then just have her click a name to initiate a call?

 

[JackMDS]

The easiest way to do Remote is to use TeamViewer.

If you install and configure it, a page of simple instruction should be good enough to use it from any other place Internet connection.

http://www.teamviewer.com/en/index.aspx

 

[bandgit]

somethingsketchy: Fortunately with a netbook all she'll have to do is plug it in and hit the power button. The wireless net is already set up there.

xSauronx: Skype is not a bad idea. I'll look into that.

JackMDS: I'll look into TeamViewer, thanks!

 

[Texashiker]

If all you want is a webcam, yahoo instant messenger has that feature built in

 

[JackMDS]

somethingsketchy: Fortunately with a netbook all she'll have to do is plug it in and hit the power button. The wireless net is already set up there.

Wireless?? That means that there is a Router on the connection.

It is common that most people call the Device connected to the ISP "Modem", Not knowing that the plastic box is actually a combo Modem/Router.

If indeed it is a combo, then it is essential to use something (like TeamViewr) that does not need Port opening configuration.

 

[bandgit]

Texashiker: Yes, but I don't know of any way to autolaunch yahoo IM to my ID without any clicking from the netbook side. It is imperative that it be a seamless and "click-less" autolaunch as if I ask her to click once on one thing on the screen, she'll probably end up reformatting the drive (just kiddin..."

Jack MDS: I don't know what type of wireless router and/or modem is being used on that side, but I could find out by calling the telecom in Italy. Since the entire setup has to be fully hands off from that side, then TeamViewer does seem like a good choice. Thanks.