Windows Remote

[OldGuy]

Windows 7 Pro Desktop. Laptop XP Pro.

I have a home network that goes through a router then modem to the
Internet. I have several PCs on this home network.

When I am out and about I would like to connect to a PC or a Folder on
my home network.

My IP address is not fixed.

Can I request remote assistance of a PC out in the world that is not
hooked up then an hour or two later turn on my laptop while out in the
world and see my desktop or is it mandatory that someone be there?
Using Windows Remote or what?

Is there a better way to do this?
Either remote desktop, or just a folder.
I want to be able to upload and download my files.
Files are not too big.
I do not need to control the desktop but that would be interesting.

 

[Wolf K]

Windows 7 Pro Desktop. Laptop XP Pro.

I have a home network that goes through a router then modem to the
Internet. I have several PCs on this home network.

When I am out and about I would like to connect to a PC or a Folder on
my home network.

My IP address is not fixed.

Can I request remote assistance of a PC out in the world that is not
hooked up then an hour or two later turn on my laptop while out in the
world and see my desktop or is it mandatory that someone be there?
Using Windows Remote or what?

Is there a better way to do this?
Either remote desktop, or just a folder.
I want to be able to upload and download my files.
Files are not too big.
I do not need to control the desktop but that would be interesting.

Try VPN software. 'Twould be nice if you reported back your experience
with it, too. ;-).

 

[Paul in Houston TX]

Windows 7 Pro Desktop. Laptop XP Pro.

I have a home network that goes through a router then modem to the
Internet. I have several PCs on this home network.

When I am out and about I would like to connect to a PC or a Folder on
my home network.

My IP address is not fixed.

Can I request remote assistance of a PC out in the world that is not
hooked up then an hour or two later turn on my laptop while out in the
world and see my desktop or is it mandatory that someone be there?
Using Windows Remote or what?

Is there a better way to do this?
Either remote desktop, or just a folder.
I want to be able to upload and download my files.
Files are not too big.
I do not need to control the desktop but that would be interesting.

Research: VNC, TeamViewer, etc.
It's personal preference as to which you like the best.

 

[Warren Post]

Windows 7 Pro Desktop. Laptop XP Pro.

I have a home network that goes through a router then modem to the
Internet. I have several PCs on this home network.

When I am out and about I would like to connect to a PC or a Folder on
my home network.

My IP address is not fixed.

Can I request remote assistance of a PC out in the world that is not
hooked up then an hour or two later turn on my laptop while out in the
world and see my desktop or is it mandatory that someone be there?
Using Windows Remote or what?

Is there a better way to do this?
Either remote desktop, or just a folder.
I want to be able to upload and download my files.
Files are not too big.
I do not need to control the desktop but that would be interesting.

Since you only need access to your files and don't need to control the
box, an easier and safer method to get what you want is online backup.
There are several services available; I use and am happy with SpiderOak.
My installation and usage notes are here:

http://my.opera.com/wpost/blog/spideroak

 

[Char Jackson]

I have a home network that goes through a router then modem to the
Internet. I have several PCs on this home network.

When I am out and about I would like to connect to a PC or a Folder on
my home network.

I do not need to control the desktop but that would be interesting.

Logmein and TeamViewer both work well. Both are free.

 

[J. P. Gilliver (John)]

Logmein and TeamViewer both work well. Both are free.

For home use only (TeamViewer anyway).
--
J. P. Gilliver. UMRA: 1960/<1985 MB++G()AL-IS-Ch++(p)Ar@T+H+Sh0!:`)DNAf

.... much to the surprise of everyone else in the galaxy, who had not realised
that the best way not to be unhappy is not to have a word for it. (Link
episode)

 

[Chuck Anderson]

Windows 7 Pro Desktop. Laptop XP Pro.

I have a home network that goes through a router then modem to the
Internet. I have several PCs on this home network.

When I am out and about I would like to connect to a PC or a Folder on
my home network.

My IP address is not fixed.

There are services that can work with your router to keep your current
IP address stored on a remote server.

My router shows that it will work with DynDNS.org and TZO.com (check to
see if they still provide a free version).

Whenever your WAN IP address changes, your router sends that new IP
address to the service host. When you want to access your home IP you
enter a unique domain name (a unique subdomain of the service that you
select - much like a username) that resolves to your current IP address.

You can hang a hard drive off of your router (Linksys routers can do
this - USB external hard drive) and then ftp to that hard drive from
wherever you are - using the dynamic DNS service domain name you created
above.

Can I request remote assistance of a PC out in the world that is not
hooked up then an hour or two later turn on my laptop while out in the
world and see my desktop or is it mandatory that someone be there?
Using Windows Remote or what?

Is there a better way to do this?
Either remote desktop, or just a folder.
I want to be able to upload and download my files.
Files are not too big.
I do not need to control the desktop but that would be interesting.

You can use Remote Desktop and the Dynamic DNS service mentioned to
control the desktop. As long as your computer is on (or, if asleep, it
accepts Wake On WAN via your router), you can reach it.

That is why I mentioned the USB hard drive on a router. That way you do
not need to leave a computer on (or figure out how to implement a
reliable Wake On WAN) while you are away. Just keep anything you might
want to access on the router's external hard drive - and leave the
router on.

--
*****************************
Chuck Anderson • Boulder, CO
http://cycletourist.com
Turn Off, Tune Out, Drop In
*****************************

 

[Yousuf Khan]

Windows 7 Pro Desktop. Laptop XP Pro.

I have a home network that goes through a router then modem to the
Internet. I have several PCs on this home network.

When I am out and about I would like to connect to a PC or a Folder on
my home network.

My IP address is not fixed.

Can I request remote assistance of a PC out in the world that is not
hooked up then an hour or two later turn on my laptop while out in the
world and see my desktop or is it mandatory that someone be there?
Using Windows Remote or what?

The built-in remote control software in Windows is somewhat limited,
it'll only work within a LAN, not out through the Internet past a
firewall. Also the built-in software has some artificial limitations
imposed, such as only being able to remote-control machines that are Win
7 Pro or above, while lesser Win 7 machines (i.e. Win 7 Home or lower)
can do the remote controlling, but cannot themselves be remote controlled.

Is there a better way to do this?
Either remote desktop, or just a folder.
I want to be able to upload and download my files.
Files are not too big.
I do not need to control the desktop but that would be interesting.

Various solution available, some are free, some cost money. My favourite
is TeamViewer which is free for personal use. Other possibilities
include GotoMyPC, LogMeIn, and AMMYY.

Yousuf Khan

 

[Char Jackson]

For home use only (TeamViewer anyway).

True, but his description sounds like a home user to me, which is why I
didn't mention it.

 

[Char Jackson]

The built-in remote control software in Windows is somewhat limited,
it'll only work within a LAN, not out through the Internet past a
firewall.

I currently use TeamViewer, and before that Logmein, but prior to those I
used Remote Desktop for several years, both from within the LAN and more
often from outside the LAN (across the Internet). It works fine if you
forward the right port(s). I needed to control multiple PC's from the
Internet, so I used sequential ports: 3389 (default), 3390, 3391, etc.

 

[Ken Blake]

I currently use TeamViewer, and before that Logmein, but prior to those I
used Remote Desktop for several years, both from within the LAN and more
often from outside the LAN (across the Internet). It works fine if you
forward the right port(s). I needed to control multiple PC's from the
Internet, so I used sequential ports: 3389 (default), 3390, 3391, etc.

There's nothing seriously wrong with Remote Desktop, but TeamViewer is
*much* easier to use.

I have a friend who calls me every now and then for help with a
problem. We use TeamViewer. If she had to use Remote Desktop, she'd
never succeed.

 

[s|b]

My IP address is not fixed.

But you're modem is connected to a router. I assume that router is
powered up all the time. My own ISP will always try to assign the same
IP after the lease is expired. So I've had the same IP for ages now.
Your ISP doesn't do this?

Can I request remote assistance of a PC out in the world that is not
hooked up then an hour or two later turn on my laptop while out in the
world and see my desktop or is it mandatory that someone be there?
Using Windows Remote or what?

I'm using TeamViewer, but I don't know if it can do what you want. In
the past, I've used UltraVNC. This /will/ do what you want.

<http://www.uvnc.com/home.html>

There's documentation on the website.

You'll need to set up your router. This site can help you with that:
<http://portforward.com/english/routers/port_forwarding/routerindex.htm>

The idea is: you start UltraVNC (server) as a service. Portforwarding
will allow you to access the computer/laptop you want from the outside.
You can use a viewer (UltraVNC viewer), but this can also be done from a
browser (default port: 5800). All you need is the IP of your router and
a port number.

Portforwarding is set up like this:

xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx is your external IP.

xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx:5901 -> 192.168.1.1:5900 (laptop)
xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx:5902 -> 192.168.1.2:5900 (pc)
....

 

[OldGuy]

s|b explained on 6/28/2013 :

But you're modem is connected to a router. I assume that router is
powered up all the time. My own ISP will always try to assign the same
IP after the lease is expired. So I've had the same IP for ages now.
Your ISP doesn't do this?


I'm using TeamViewer, but I don't know if it can do what you want. In
the past, I've used UltraVNC. This /will/ do what you want.

<http://www.uvnc.com/home.html>

There's documentation on the website.

You'll need to set up your router. This site can help you with that:
<http://portforward.com/english/routers/port_forwarding/routerindex.htm>

The idea is: you start UltraVNC (server) as a service. Portforwarding
will allow you to access the computer/laptop you want from the outside.
You can use a viewer (UltraVNC viewer), but this can also be done from a
browser (default port: 5800). All you need is the IP of your router and
a port number.

Portforwarding is set up like this:

xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx is your external IP.

xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx:5901 -> 192.168.1.1:5900 (laptop)
xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx:5902 -> 192.168.1.2:5900 (pc)
...

As far as the IP address, I know it can change, but maybe will be there
until I really need it. lol

The struggle for me will be getting into the router and doing the port
forwarding. Any tutorials around?
Using an Amped R20000G router if memory serves.
Are the suggested ports the only ones to use or does it not matter as
long as it is not one of the preassigned ports?

So...
xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx is your external IP
means the IP address if I am out somewhere on the Internet and looking
into my router from outside.

and... when the router is set to the following
xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx:5901 -> 192.168.1.1:5900
means that from the outside I address
xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx:5901
and that takes me to the LAN address
192.168.1.1:5900
I my case it would be e.g. on of the PCs on the LAN at .105.
192.168.3.105:5900

What I am getting is that a Router Port (e.g.5901) is forwarded or
rerouted to a LAN IPort

A little confused here.
Is there software on the home PC that I set up to be related to port
5900?

i.e. is TeamViewer or UltraVNC loaded on the home PC and the remote
laptop.
at home TeamViewer or UltraVNC is set in server mode?
on the PC ???

Sorry I am very new at this.

 

[Paul]

s|b explained on 6/28/2013 :

As far as the IP address, I know it can change, but maybe will be there
until I really need it. lol

The struggle for me will be getting into the router and doing the port
forwarding. Any tutorials around?
Using an Amped R20000G router if memory serves.
Are the suggested ports the only ones to use or does it not matter as
long as it is not one of the preassigned ports?

So...
xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx is your external IP
means the IP address if I am out somewhere on the Internet and looking
into my router from outside.

and... when the router is set to the following
xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx:5901 -> 192.168.1.1:5900
means that from the outside I address
xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx:5901
and that takes me to the LAN address
192.168.1.1:5900
I my case it would be e.g. on of the PCs on the LAN at .105.
192.168.3.105:5900

What I am getting is that a Router Port (e.g.5901) is forwarded or
rerouted to a LAN IPort

A little confused here.
Is there software on the home PC that I set up to be related to port 5900?

i.e. is TeamViewer or UltraVNC loaded on the home PC and the remote laptop.
at home TeamViewer or UltraVNC is set in server mode?
on the PC ???

Sorry I am very new at this.

Page 52 seems to be the only capability.

http://www.ampedwireless.com/datasheets/support/R20000G_UsersGuide.pdf

It would allow doing this.

xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx:5900 -> 192.168.1.1:5900

That's what I interpret as the capability.

Enable Port Forwarding (Tick box)

IP Address (for the destination)
Protocol (probably TCP)
Port Range 5900-5900
Comment "UltraVNC to a single PC"

I could not find any docs on the web page, for a general "rules"
based interface.

http://www.ampedwireless.com/support/model/r20000g.html

Some other routers, have a "virtual server" interface, and
I think that allows remapping port numbers. This is the
kind of thing, that does 5901 -> 5900 on a particular
LAN machine.

http://www.dlink.cc/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/dir-825-Virtual-Server.jpg

Another example here, of a virtual server setup page.

http://screenshots.portforward.com/routers/Belkin/F5D8632-4v1/Virtual_Servers.jpg

*******

I don't know anything about UntraVNC, and whether such a mapping
is sufficient to make anything work or not.

Or, what the security implications might be, of leaving port 5900
open.

Paul

 

[s|b]

As far as the IP address, I know it can change, but maybe will be there
until I really need it. lol

Chuck Anderson already mentioned a solution for this: DDNS. There are
several services offering this (for free). My router offers some of
them: <http://img22.imageshack.us/img22/6987/ky7r.png>

Unfortunately, I don't know how it works (since my IP seldom changes).

The struggle for me will be getting into the router and doing the port
forwarding. Any tutorials around?

<http://portforward.com/english/routers/port_forwarding/routerindex.htm>

This website will show you how to do it for (almost) every brand and
type of router and for each program. So you can choose: Linksys > WRT54G

UltraVNC and you'll get this:

<http://portforward.com/english/routers/port_forwarding/Linksys/WRT54G/UltraVNC.htm>

It doesn't get any easier.

Using an Amped R20000G router if memory serves.

Try this:

Are the suggested ports the only ones to use or does it not matter as
long as it is not one of the preassigned ports?

The latter. But imho it's easier if you choose 5901, 5902, 5903, ...

So...
xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx is your external IP
means the IP address if I am out somewhere on the Internet and looking
into my router from outside.
Correct.

and... when the router is set to the following
xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx:5901 -> 192.168.1.1:5900
means that from the outside I address
xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx:5901
and that takes me to the LAN address
192.168.1.1:5900
I my case it would be e.g. on of the PCs on the LAN at .105.
192.168.3.105:5900

Correct. In my router it would like this:

What I am getting is that a Router Port (e.g.5901) is forwarded or
rerouted to a LAN IPort

A little confused here.
Is there software on the home PC that I set up to be related to port
5900?

If you install UltraVNC and run the server, the server will listen to
port 5900 (and 5800 if you want to use HTML; IIRC you'll need Java for
this, so I would not advise it). But you can change the default port if
you want.

i.e. is TeamViewer or UltraVNC loaded on the home PC and the remote
laptop.
at home TeamViewer or UltraVNC is set in server mode?
on the PC ???

In both cases you would need a viewer (on the outside/remote laptop) and
a server (on the inside/home PC). UltraVNC can be set up so the server
will run as a service. This means the server will start up automatically
every time you turn your PC. You can also start it up manually.

With UltraVNC you can also choose to use your browser as a viewer (but I
think you'll need Java to be installed for this).

I checked TeamViewer's website and apparently it can be run as a service
as well: TeamViewer Host.

<https://www.teamviewer.com/en/download/windows.aspx>

The advantage of TeamViewer is that you won't need to set up anything in
your router. It simply works with an ID and password.

 

[s|b]

Page 52 seems to be the only capability.

http://www.ampedwireless.com/datasheets/support/R20000G_UsersGuide.pdf

Some other routers, have a "virtual server" interface, and
I think that allows remapping port numbers. This is the
kind of thing, that does 5901 -> 5900 on a particular
LAN machine.

http://www.dlink.cc/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/dir-825-Virtual-Server.jpg

AFAIK portforwarding = virtual servers

Belkin calls it 'Virtual servers', DD-WRT 'Port forwarding'.

I don't know anything about UntraVNC, and whether such a mapping
is sufficient to make anything work or not.

It'll work.

Or, what the security implications might be, of leaving port 5900
open.

I could be wrong, but if you want remote control, then there will
/always/ be a port that is listening. I just started TeamViewer and
TCPView shows it's listening to port 5938. UltraVNC uses 5900 (and 5800)
by default. As for safety: of course you're going to set up a password
if you're installing UltraVNC server.

 

[Roy Smith]

Since you only need access to your files and don't need to control the
box, an easier and safer method to get what you want is online backup.
There are several services available; I use and am happy with SpiderOak.
My installation and usage notes are here:

http://my.opera.com/wpost/blog/spideroak

There are other choices too like Drop Box, Google Drive, or Microsoft's
SkyDrive. All offer free storage, typically up to 5 MB with the option
to purchase more space if needed. Since the OP said the files were small
don't know if that would be big enough or not...


--

Roy Smith
Windows 8 64-Bit
Thunderbird 17.0.7
Saturday, June 29, 2013 10:08:56 AM

 

[Gene E. Bloch]

There are other choices too like Drop Box, Google Drive, or Microsoft's
SkyDrive. All offer free storage, typically up to 5 MB with the option
to purchase more space if needed. Since the OP said the files were small
don't know if that would be big enough or not...

I suspect the number is 5 GB, partly because that unit matches my
initials

Yes, I know it was a typo. We all do it...

 

[Yousuf Khan]

I currently use TeamViewer, and before that Logmein, but prior to those I
used Remote Desktop for several years, both from within the LAN and more
often from outside the LAN (across the Internet). It works fine if you
forward the right port(s). I needed to control multiple PC's from the
Internet, so I used sequential ports: 3389 (default), 3390, 3391, etc.

Exactly why Remote Desktop does not work well out in the Internet. If
your router goes wonky, it might stop forwarding requests from each PC.
And all kinds of other problems that you just can't afford to worry
about. TeamViewer and all of the rest use a 3rd party server to connect
both controller and controllee.

Yousuf Khan

 

[s|b]

If
your router goes wonky, it might stop forwarding requests from each PC.

In that case you should buy a more dependable router...