In this tutorial, we'll go step-by-step to show
you how to connect to a remote computer. We'll discover the
different addresses we can enter into the client program, to
establish the remote connection. In addition, we'll figure out how
to bring up the remote connection via a Web browser.
Connecting to Your PC with the Traditional Client
Now you're all ready to
remotely connect to your PC either from another computer on your
network or from any computer on the Internet. First, we'll connect
using the traditional client program (called Remote Desktop
Connection) that's installed by default on most Windows versions.
Start>All Programs>Accessories>Remote Desktop Connection
Once the program loads, you
can enter the path to your Remote Desktop PC into the Computer field
and hit the Connect button. It's that simple. You have, though, a
few different items you can use as a path, which include: |
Key Terms To
Understanding MP3 Players:
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- Computer Name: This
is the Computer Name value of the computer that Windows uses to help you
identify computers on a local network. You can use this only when you
are on the same network as the Remote Desktop computer, not if you are
connecting from a computer outside your home or office. You can find
this value on a computer by right-clicking the My Computer or Computer
icon on your desktop or the Start menu, clicking Properties, and if in
Windows XP, you need to click the Computer Name tab. Windows Remote
Desktop.
- Local IP Address:
This number (such as 192.168.1.103) also helps
identify computers on a local network, and it is used by the network
components when sending and receiving data. Like with the Computer Name;
you can use this only when you are on the same network. You can find a
computer's IP address by looking through the network connection status
details in Windows.
- Internet IP Address:
This number is the IP address of your Internet connection or modem,
assigned by your Internet service provider (ISP), used to identify
computers or networks on the Web. This is the number you want to use
when connecting to your Remote Desktop PC when away from the home or
office. You can find your Internet IP address on your router's status
pages, under the WAN or Internet section, or you can Google it to be
detected by a Web site service. A word of caution: Your Internet IP
changes, anywhere from daily to monthly, if you have a dynamic IP
address. This type of address is typical on most residential, and even
small business, Internet connections. You can call your ISP to see if
you have a dynamic IP address or a static address.
- Domain or Host Name:
If you have a dynamic IP address (or you don't want to remember a static
address), it's best to use a domain or host name to connect to your
Remote Desktop PC. This requires signing up for a service (a few free
ones are DynDNS, FreeDNS.afraid.org, and No-IP) and configuring your
router with your account details so your host name stays updated when
your IP address changes.
Connecting to Your Windows XP PC via Web Browser
If you followed the directions to
set up Web access of your Remote Desktop PC, you should now be able to bring
up your computer with a Web browser. Open a Web browser, enter the URL, and
hit the Enter key. The URL consists of http://YourIPAddress:PortYouChoose/tsweb/.
You only have to type colon and the
port number if you changed the default port 80 to something else. If you are
connecting to the Remote Desktop from a computer on the local network, you
can use the PC's local IP address rather than the Internet IP address.
However, if you are connecting from elsewhere, you must use your Internet IP
address. Reference the bullets in the previous section for more on these
addresses as well as info on domain or host names that you could use in
place of an IP address when connecting via the browser.
If you're prompted to install the
Remote Desktop ActiveX control, click Yes. On the Remote Desktop Web
Connection page click Connect. You don't need to fill in the Server field.
If you leave the default Size set to Full-screen, it will try to use the
traditional client program if it's installed. Otherwise you'll see the
Remote Desktop screen in your browser at the size you specify.
Wrapping It Up
Now you should be able to remote into your PC from the
next room or from around the globe. If you run into problems and can't
connect using the client program or the Web access page doesn't load, double
check your firewall and router settings.
We'll leave you with a few tips to
commit to memory:
- Remember your PC must be plugged in and turned on to
remotely connect to it. Remember to disable any automatic sleep,
hibernation, or stand-by features on your PC.
- Keep Windows up-to-date with critical and recommended
updates to make sure you're protected from the latest known security
holes.
- Make sure Windows Firewall, or another third-party
solution, is always on and protecting against hackers.
- Even when connecting to a PC via the Web browser, the
host computer must also have the traditional Remote Desktop feature
enabled.
About the Author: Eric Geier is the Founder and President of Sky-Nets, a
Wi-Fi Hotspot Network. He is also the author of many networking and computing
books, including Home Networking All-in-One Desk Reference For Dummies (Wiley
2008) and 100 Things You Need to Know about Microsoft Windows Vista (Que 2007).
Last updated: March 19, 2009
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PracticallyNetworked.com: Better Living Through the Remote Desktop
Windows XP Professional's Remote
Desktop feature allows you to see and control your office PC as though
you were sitting directly in front of it. You may never have to leave
home again.
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