Remote Desktop for Dummies
4. Setting Up the Router
The last thing to do is set up your router to update the dynamic DNS service, and then to forward a remote request to the appropriate IP address. If your router supports UPnP (Universal Plug n Play) forwarding you can use any port number from 1 to 65535 that is not being used. Generally, ports 49152 through 65535 are unused. This is available with the Linksys WRV54G router.
You can also accomplish the port forwarding using a Port Range forwarding feature with the port number 3389 (this is the default port number that Remote Desktop uses). This is available with the Linksys WRT54G router.
To access your routers settings, open your internet browser, and type the routers IP address in the address bar. Check your routers documentation to determine the correct IP address and username and password. Linksys routers use 192.168.1.1 as their IP address.
You will definitely want to set your own username and password for the router to ensure greater security. This is done under the Administration section.
Illustrations and brief instructions for setting up a dynamic dns service and port forwarding are listed below for the Linksys WRV54G and WRT54G routers.
Linksys DDNS Configuration for both Routers
In the DDNS section under Setup, enter the username and password as well as the host name you set up when you registered with DynDNS.com. Be sure to click Save Settings at the bottom of the page.
Linksys WRV54G Specific Configuration
Navigate to the UPnP Forwarding section under Applications & Gaming. Enter any number between 49152 and 65535 for the Ext. Port. The Int. Port must be 3389. Enter the last digits of the IP address, and then check the Enabled box. You may enter anything in the Application field simply for your reference such as the computer name or remote desktop. Be sure to click Save Settings at the bottom of the page.
Linksys WRT54G Specific Configuration
If your router supports Port Range forwarding only, set the start and end ports to 3389 and direct it to the appropriate IP address. You may enter anything in the Application field simply for your reference such as the computer name or remote desktop. Click the Enable checkbox and be sure to click Save Settings at the bottom of the page.
5. Installing the DynDNS software on the remote computer
This operation must be performed on your remote computer. Click on this link to download the DynDNS updater for your remote computer. Install the software and enter the username and password followed by your host name. This should be enough information to keep your updater running.
6. Connecting to another computer through Remote Desktop
Click the Start button -> select Run -> Type “mstsc” -> OK
You should see a window similar to the one shown below.
Enter the host name that you registered at dyndns. In my case, it is “techblog.dyndns.org”. Hit connect. Enter username and password for the remote computer. Hit OK. This should do the trick. You should be able to get on your remote computer.
There are many options in the program mstsc which I am not going to delve into. But, if anybody of you have any questions regarding the options in mstsc, feel free to shoot a comment and I should be getting back with you ASAP.
I hope this exercise was simple and helpful.
Related posts:
I have setup Remote Desktop to use port 3390 and everything works great except that the host computer cannot see the client printers.
I did this because I have another Remote Desktop setup running through the same router using the default 3389 port. It prints on the client machine.
Both host and client printers are the same model and their drivers are installed on both machines. Both machines can to their printers.
Any helpt would be appreciated.
Regards,
Dieter Degen
Hey, I’ve tried your service. Running a Vista Ultimate Machine. I got the Local network to see the computer and RDP works perfectly. Trying to access my home computer from another location such as Work or Out of state area’s. Can’t get it to communicate.
If i go onto my Sister’s XP Pro system with the RDP 6.0 Update. I can access. However, Outside networking cannot. I’ve tried your service installation instructions to no avail. Running WRT54G Router. My home computer is Wireless. Any questions let me know. Thanks!
Hi.. I am using a Windows Xp laptop which I am connecting wirelessly to the broadband router. I am able to access internet. I am also able to connect to the VPN, howwever it doesnt allow me to do any Remote Desktop Connections to a Particular computer on the VPN network. I stayed in a hotel last week and did connect from their using the same laptop and it worked fine. However there I connected using a Wired Connection and it worked fine. I have even tried making a wired connection from my router but it doesnt let me connect via RDP. Can you please suggest what changes I need to make to the settings ( if any ) to resolve this issue ?
Any help would be really appreciated.
Many Thanks
Ankur Gupta
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