VPN Not The Only Way To Connect
Our recent piece on setting up a Remote Desktop connection via "virtual private networking" (VPN) sparked some very good reader advice and information on alternatives to this approach.
Hi Fred, I just read your latest issue and regarding the article "Making the Remote Desktop Connection", there is a much simpler solution than installing and configuring VPN software. Just ensure that both routers are set to forward XP's Remote Desktop port to the appropriate computer behind the router. I believe the default port is Port 3389. This link provides some basic info including how to change the default port assignment - http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/mobility/rdfaq.mspx
For added security, if one is also running a decent software firewall (you ARE aren't you?), you can assign a rule to accept only those remote desktop connections from the specific IP or MAC address you'll be connecting from.
It's true. Remote Desktop can be used effectively
without a VPN in some circumstances. Whether you use a VPN or choose the direct
route, it's important to note that Remote Desktop is powerful -- too powerful to
be used without caution. Here's how to use it without compromising security:
http://www.informationweek.com/showArticle.jhtml;?articleID=164300008
Before you get started, be aware that only Windows XP Pro works as a Remote
Desktop host.
For the client, you can use Windows 95 or any version of Windows that came after
it (including XP Home), but will need to download and install the client software, which is called
Remote Desktop Client (RDC) (
http://tinyurl.com/3vb8u ). Windows XP Pro has RDC baked in, so you won't
need to install it if your client system runs XP Pro.
Also, some, including at least one LangaList reader, prefer Netmeeting for
remote control:
http://langa.com/newsletters/2006/2006-09-25.htm#8
Greetings from Ed James in Fort Wayne. I have been a subscriber for a while and the newsletter has saved my bacon on many occasions. My son, who lives about 150 miles away, needed access to several files on my home network. I could not locate them. Solution: We both downloaded Microsoft’s Messenger Live, onto our Windows XP machines, and I gave him remote access and control of my machine. It took a bit to figure out how to set things up but he was able to find what he needed. This was a good zero cost solution to the problem of remote access. All of this worked through the software firewall and NAT router.
Thanks, Ed! Windows Live Messenger (
http://get.live.com/messenger/overview ), the instant messaging service
formerly known as MSN Messenger, sports quite a few useful features, some of
which are related to instant messaging (offline instant message and video calls,
for example) and some of which are not. Live Messenger can be used only on XP,
Vista and Mobile versions of Windows.
Live Messenger features "Sharing Folders," which you use by dragging the folders
you'd like to share onto the Live Messenger application, and dropping them on
the contact of your choice.
One caveat for all users, however, is that Windows Live Messenger faithfully
keeps files in sync. That means, for example, when one party deletes a file or
folder, it will be deleted on the other person's computer also.
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