Tech Break

Hello folks, and welcome to another edition of Tech Break. This time around, I’ll let you in on the secret of accessing your computer from just about anywhere…

First, you’ll need to get onto the network your computer is on in some way. If you’re on-campus, connecting to on-campus, just make note of your computer’s IP address (found via Start > Run > cmd > ipconfig on a PC, Network Preferences on a Mac). When on-campus, that’s all you’ll need to connect.

Outside of campus, you will need to login to Mines’ network via VPN. Get the client here:

http://tools.cisco.com/support/downloads/pub/Redirect.x?mdfid=270636499

Then set up an IPSec connection pointint to vpn.mines.edu. You’ll need Group Authentication to get halfway in the door (go to the AC&N site for these credentials) and your Mines username and password to get the rest of the way. Once you have all this information, you may connect to the Mines network via VPN and you’re ready to login to your on-Mines system remotely.

More likely, however, is the need to access an off-campus computer from on-campus. To do this you’ll need to login to your network router with the username and password in your router user’s namual. Usually you get to your router by browign to 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1 from a computer on the network. Skip this, and the following, steps if you’re hooked directly to a cable or DSL modem.

That done, you’ll need to go to the Port Forwarding section of the router configuration. This process varies by model but can be found in your router user’s manual. Once there, check your computer’s IP address. Then key that address in, and tell your router to forward port 5900 (for Mac and Linux) or 3389 (for PCs) to that particular IP address. Go ahead and forward both TCP and UDP connections. If you want to access multiple computers on your network from the outside, set the “forward from” port to something other than the default (but keep the Forward To port the same) for additional machines. You have now punched a hole in the ruter so remote desktop connections can be initiated from the outside to your computer, provided you have the password to do so.

Lastly, you need to either make note of your WAN IP address (a good way to find it is by going to speedtest.net; it’s the four numbers seperated by dots) or use a DDNS service like DynDNS.com to keep track of it for you. The latter is preferable as your IP almost definitely will change over time. Go to DynDNS.com to set up a user account there, then input the DynDNS settings into either your router (some routers support this) or use the DynDNS updater program on your computer to keep their records of your IP current.

Now we’re ready to turn on and use remote desktop. If you’re using Windows (XP Pro, Vista Business, Vista Ultimate or other Vista versions if you edit the right registry entries) the way to go is Microsoft’s won Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP). The “client” software is built-in to all Windows XP and Vista machines (look for Remote Desktop Connection) and there are Mac (CoRD or Microsoft’s own client) and iPhone\iTouch (Mocha RDP is what I use) clients as well.

However, before you write down your username, password and IP address (or DynDNS domain) to get access anywhere, you have to enable it on your computer. On XP, right-click My Computer and clck Properties. On the Remote tab, check the second box from the top (not the one about remote invitations). On Vista, right-click Computer and select Properties, then click on Remote settings. Click the radio button for “Allow connections from computers running any version of Remote Desktop (less secure)” for compatibility purposes, then click OK. You’re now ready to access your Windows computer remotely.

If you’re using a Mac, you’ll be using VNC. I’m only familiar with OS X Leopard, but on it sharing your desktop is easy. Just go to System Preferences, then Sharing. Now click the check box beside Screen Sharing. You’re done.

To access your Mac from another Mac, the process varies between OS versions. On OS X 10.4 (some lab computers have it) use Chicken of the VNC. On Macs running Leopard, look for the Screen Sharing app. In both cases, you’ll need your IP address (or DynDNS domain), your username and your password. Once you’ve got those, open the program and you’re ready to access your Mac from pretty much wherever.

If you’re trying to use Windows to access your Mac, or if you want to use VNC with Windows, the best option is probably TightVNC. Instructions to use it are on the TightVNC site. No matter what client you’re using, you’ll need your computer location (IP or domain name), your username and password.

But no matter what you’re using, you should have no problem getting from any internet-connected computer to your computer over the internet to view and do computer activities like you were sitting at home. That’s the power of remote desktop applications.