Setting up a PC for access from another location

[ray]

Hi Guys. I need your advice on how to set up a remote PC connection for myself.

I have a desktop computer at home behind a router that I would myself and others to access remotely. I would be accessing the computer using both Apple OS and Windows machines. I thought about setting up something like Remote Desktop Connection, but i'm not sure if that works from Apple OS.

So, I was looking at other free solutions that would allow me to view my computer as if I were physically in front of it.

Would I be able to use a program like RealVNC (http://www.realvnc.com/) to achieve this?

Also, please keep in mind that my IP address is dynamic and will refresh as my provider sees fit, so I would like a solution that wouldn't require me to change my IP so frequently.

Lastly, and I think I can do this from my router, is to limit the amount of bandwidth that the computer uses (i believe that's QOS settings with my router).

Any recommendations?

-Ray

[Devhux]

Most VNC-type clients aren't very secure, so I'd be careful with them.

I'm not sure if Remote Desktop (RDP) is available on Mac OS, though I think that might be the best option. Bear in mind the PC you want to control would need to be running the Professional (or better) version of your OS, and that you'd be limited to one user at a time.

In terms of router configuration, RDP uses TCP port 3389 (fixed), so if you went that route you would just need to forward that port. For dynamic IPs, I recommend using DynDNS.org to set up a custom domain name (whatever.dyndns.org) and then configure your router to access this if the router supports it. That way everything's automated. If your router doesn't have a section for Dynamic DNS, then you can install a client from the DynDNS site that will update IP addresses when they change.

[Airencracken]

What is the operating system of the machine at home that you're trying to access remotely?

[Nija]

Is gotomypc not an option?

We use it at work frequently.

[ray]

What is the operating system of the machine at home that you're trying to access remotely?

Windows XP Pro currently, but depending on the options available to me, I may ugprade to Win7.


Is gotomypc not an option?

I'm looking for free solutions right now. If the best solutions end up being something I have to pay for then I will definitely look into it.

[attgig]

yes this is possible, and I had done it for years until my company updated/clarified their policies and forbid us from doing it.
#1, make sure you have a good password. don't have the default administrator account in there either.

rdc uses port 3389. make sure to set up port forwarding for it. you'll also most likely want to have that computer use a static ip, unless it's always on and almost never changes internal ip addresses.

For dealing with dynamic ip's from the ISP, I've used no-ip.com for years. Free app/service for what you need. download and install a tray app in the host computer, and use an account. so, if your username is ray at that site, you can set it up with ray.no-ip.com - and it'll sync that dns with the ip address on your computer at home.

then, from any windows or mac, you can remote into it using remote desktop connection (yes, they have a mac client version too - it came with office, but I believe it's available for download).

on edit: http://www.microsoft.com/mac/products/remote-desktop/default.mspx

For remoting into macs, I never acutlaly set it up, but it is also possible. go into the system settings, and in there, sharing. I think I have a video of setting this up somewhere at home, but not sure. I'll post it later if I can find it.

[ray]

snip

AWESOME! Thanks for the advice guys. I'm going to try attgig's recommendation this weekend and will let you know if it works.

-Ray

[Nija]

Have fun working in your pajama's!