(Vainty)Connecting a remote computer thru ISP to a home network LAN help

JerseyHighlander | today | JerseyHighlander

[JerseyHighlander]

This is my first vanity in over a year. So please take notice of my posting this in the Vanity topic before you post your comment about too many vanities.

Here's my situation, I have a remote computer of a family member who needs to be added to my home LAN network. I have winxp sp2, and so does the remote computer. I have a linksys BFXXXXXXX router running a few items,
Client for Microsoft Networks
Internet Protocol TCP/IP
IPX/SPX/NetBios compatible Transport Protocol.

I need to run a program in a LAN as compared to another type of connection, and since I don't know how to change that setting in the program, I need some help.

The remote computer uses a dial-up connection. How do I have the remote computer connect to my network, with or without my router, (or even connect to one computer without the router and create a new LAN with just the remote computer and one computer here) and how do I make the connection part of a LAN?

I know that the L in LAN means local. Is some type of PPTP or RAS server connection possible? Could anyone point me in the right direction for figuring this out? Are there any software programs, freeware preferred, that perform this function? Are all the components already available from Microsft within winxp?

[JerseyHighlander]

Any help would be appreciated, I'll be banging my head against the keyobard and searching for more info online in the meantime.

[coconutt2000]

What you probably want to do is install a Virtual Private Network server, if XP doesn't include one, on your home machine.

Next, direct the router to pass through the ports which the VPN server operates on.

Next, have the remote machine's client VPN software, which is included, connect to the IP address of your router, and the connection will be passed on to your home machine transparently.

Search for PPTP, VPN, XP, on google or another search engine. Also lookup Routers, pass through, ports.

Hope that helps.

Anybody else with better ideas?

[ChinaGotTheGoodsOnClinton]

Sounds like a job for REALvnc which is found over here:

http://www.realvnc.com/

[BlazingArizona]

With Win XP, you're in luck. It has a built-in facility called Remote Desktop that you enable as a server in the machine that is on your LAN. Then you can call in as a client on the other machine. It works surprisingly well even on a dialup connection, though on broadband it really flies. Here is how to enable it on your LAN-connected machine:

To set up this computer to use Remote Desktop Open System in Control Panel. On the Remote tab, select the Allow users to connect remotely to this computer check box. Ensure that you have the proper permissions to connect to your computer remotely, and click OK. You must be an administrator or a member of the Remote Desktop Users group on your computer. For more information, see To allow other users to connect to your computer. Notes You must be logged on as an administrator or a member of the Administrators group to enable the Remote Desktop feature. To open a Control Panel item, click Start, point to Settings, click Control Panel, and then double-click the appropriate icon. Related Topics

[evolved_rage]

I need to run a program in a LAN

What could that be? I often run client-server software by using "localhost" as the server name. Be that as it may, will both pcs connect to the router via ethernet, or does the dialup connection pc only have a modem? WinXP has a "Setup a small home network" wizard under "Network Connections" under "Contol Panel"

[HKMk23]

I'm not the greatest guru in the world, but you might look at setting up a VPN (virtual private network) connection between your local and remote machines. Once the connection is established, the remote machine can treat the local machine's resources just like its own local resources (assuming the requisite permissions are granted).

I do this at work daily to connect with my home office from my office on-site at a major customer. The drive volumes and printers on the home office network, including the home office Intranet, are all available, just as if I were there.

Maybe take a look at CheckPoint; read the FAQ &c. See what you think.

Best of luck.

[Teflonic]

You can use Remote Desktop Connection client in XP. These links may help:

http://theillustratednetwork.mvps.org/RemoteDesktop/RemoteDesktopSetupandTroubleshooting.html

http://www.connectedhomemag.com/Mobile/Articles/Index.cfm?ArticleID=24752&pg=1

[CBart95]

Just go to LinkSys's website. They have your answers.
Blessings.

[HAL9000]

If one or both computers are behind a firewall, you may need to open some ports on the firewall, or use the router's DMZ feature.

[SamAdams76]

Might be easier to have your remote family member move into the house with you. Or is this a mother-in-law situation?

[JerseyHighlander]

I misspelled vanity, doh. By the way, I understand DDNS and have a dynamic ip address on my broadband connection which can be regularly updated with a program a nd a free ddns web addy. I don't know if that helps or not. If you understand this post, you'll understand I'm trying to avoid direct call connection costs.

[Arthalion]

You need to get a router that supports VPN (Linksys and several others sell them). If you have broadband and already run a router, check to see if it has VPN SERVER support (VPN protocol or client support isn't enough). If it does, you're set. If not, you'll need to either replace the router with a VPN supporting model or buy software (about $250 at the cheapest) that will allow you to turn one of your existing computers into a VPN server with your current router.

There's no other way to SAFELY do it. If you search the web you'll find plenty of other ways to do the same thing without VPN's, but they'll put your system at risk from hackers and spambots.

[wolfpat]

Isn't that "Remote Desktop" function only available in XP Pro, and not in XP Home?

[JerseyHighlander]

I'm running XP Pro here. I don't know what the remote computer is running. But thanks for the info, when I get him on the phone again I'll find out. Looks like the easiest way to go. Still need to see if it works as a LAN in this program.

[sierrahome]

I think only the host has to have XP pro

[Siegfried]

Get yourself a Linux flavor and install the Apache server with a dial-up modem and skip the ISP step.

Linux is the way to go for internet connecting. In a few short years Windoze will just be a subset of the Linux networked world.

[sierrahome]

Don't forget what was posted above about lowering your firewall...I about pulled my hair out the first time I tried this until I realized the wall was in place

[woodb01]

IF you have WinXP Pro, the simplest way is to allow them to use Remote Desktop Connection...

All of the rest of the solutions are *far* more technical in nature and will be difficult at best.

*IF* you hvae WinXP Pro, and if they do as well, then go to Start, Help, and look up Remote Desktop Connecton for the instructions and other info.

[JerseyHighlander]

Hi sam, thanks for the laugh. Fortunately not a MIL problem.

Thanks for the info, I'm trying to figure out if my router supports VPN, if it does I've figured this out.


My big thanks to everyone in the thread.

[sierrahome]

When I read some of these post I realize how much I really don't understand about Hardware-Software...and frankly life in general