Remote Desktop over the Internet

JamesShields

Lets say I want to remote to my work computer from my home PC. Does anything need to be configured on my home router for it to work? or does configuration need to be done on the work site?

RTmarc

The RDP port will need to be opened up on the work firewall and allow traffic from your home IP address to your workstation.

Devilsbane

You should check out a software product such as LogMeIn.

You could theoretically set it up (using port forwarding) to get direct access, but if your ISP uses a dynamic IP address (which they do unless you pay extra) you might try to RDP in and be denied because you now have a different IP address.

earweed

Devilsbane wrote: »

You should check out a software product such as LogMeIn.

You could theoretically set it up (using port forwarding) to get direct access, but if your ISP uses a dynamic IP address (which they do unless you pay extra) you might try to RDP in and be denied because you now have a different IP address.

A big +1 for log me in.

veritas_libertas

Make sure your workplace doesn't have policies that forbid remoting in to your PC.

erpadmin

If you are remoting from your home to your work PC (like I do every other day), VPN is the best option. I VPN in and then once I'm connected I RDP straight into my box.

Paul Boz

As others have said, I’d be leery of exposing RDP to the wide open internet A VPN would be your best bet but if that’s not available at least use a service such as logmein or something similar. Double check your company’s remote access policy if there is one. Intentionally opening RDP in the firewall would probably be against some rule, even if it’s not a specific one. I would get management approval first.

Bl8ckr0uter

erpadmin wrote: »

If you are remoting from your home to your work PC (like I do every other day), VPN is the best option. I VPN in and then once I'm connected I RDP straight into my box.

+1. I would never RDP directly from my home machine to my work machine. I think RDP isn't secure at all.

Security Basics: SV: Securing RDP - Is this possible?

DevilWAH

If you don't have a VPN you can use, you can also run RDP through a SSH connection..

All you need is a port you can SSH over and an SSH Client inside your work network.

SSH port Forwarding (or how to Remote Desktop over SSH)

Personal I prefer this as I already have an SSH port open for management, so rather than open up more ports or add more configuration for VPN's (the other user VPN's do not allow reverse connection to the management of routers and servers). Once you get 3 or 4 people needing to do this to an inside netwrok then I agree VPN is a better solution. but while its just me there is no need.