How To: Remote Desktop and Routers/DynDNS - Overclock.net

bdattilo · 03-12-08

How To: Remote Desktop Using Dynamic DNS, and Multiple Computers

Ben Dattilo, Overclock.net

Ever wanted to remote to your computer, but can't because it is behind a router, firewalled, or you can't remember the IP? This guide will show you how to remote to a compute behind a router, to multiple computers behind a router, and how to assign a hostname (ex. mycomputer.site.org) to your computer so you can always connect to it, no matter where it is connected, or what the IP is.

This does work on Windows XP in the exact same way, I just only have Vista so all the screens are Vista screens!

Also, only Vista BUSINESS and ULTIMATE have Remote Desktop capability. There is a way to activate it in Home Premium however- Google is your friend

Part A: Prepare the OS for Remote Desktop

Step 1: Turn on remote desktop connections

To do this, enter the control panel, and select 'system'. In the system window, there will be a link labeled 'Remote Settings'. Enter the 'Remote Settings' configuration panel.

In the 'Remote Settings' panel, under the 'Remote' tab, make sure that 'Allow Remote Assistance Connections to this Computer' is selected at the top, and 'Allow Connections From Computers Running Any Version of Remote Desktop' is also selected. This will allow you to remote from an XP machine to a Vista machine, and vice-versa.

Step 2: Edit the Remote Desktop Port
*Note*: Editing the registry is potentially dangerous, if you are not familiar with registry editing, this step is not recommended.

To allow connections to multiple computers behind a router, each computer will need to have a different Remote Desktop listening port. For example, I have a desktop and an HTPC behind a router that I RD to. My desktop uses the default port 3389 to connect, and my HTPC uses port 3390. If I add a third computer, I would assign it port 3391, and so on.

To change the port, we will need to make a registry edit. Open the registry editor, by hitting Windows key-R to open the run window, and type 'regedit' to open the editor.

In the editor, navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Contro l\TerminalServer\WinStations\RDP-Tcp\PortNumber and double click on the key.

When the key box opens, select 'decimal', and change the default port (3389) to a different port.

Close this box, exit out of the editor, and the port will have been changed.

Step 3: For Routers-Configure Port Fowarding

To be able to connect to a computer behind a router with a certain port, that port will have to be forwarded to the host machine.
Each computer behind the router will need a different port for Remote Desktop, and each different port will need to be forwarded in the Router.
Due to the vast number of different routers, I cannot accurately write instructions for all makes and models. For information on how to forward with your router, please visit www.portforward.com

Part B: Configure Dynamic DNS Services

A Dynamic DNS service is a Windows service that can be installed to assign a hostname to your computer, and then automatically update an online database to match your current IP address. For example, I have the hostname bdattilolaptop.homeip.net set up for my laptop. When I take my laptop out and connect to a wireless network, I get assigned an IP, and the DynDNS service will update the hostname registry online with my current IP. Therefore I am able to remote to my machine, no matter where I am.

Step 1: Register for Dynamic DNS

To set up a Dynamic DNS service, we will use the free tools provided at www.dyndns.com. Travel to this site, and select 'Create Account' in the upper right hand corner of the site.

A DynDNS account only requires an e-mail address, and registering is pretty painless.

Once you are registered, login and select the 'Services' button at the top of the page. On the services page, select 'Dynamic DNS'

In the Dynamic DNS page, select 'Get Started' on the upper right hand side of the page.

The next page should be titled 'Add New Hostname'. Here is where you get to choose the domain name for your computer. There are many different domains that you can choose from that dyndns has registered (I use homeip.net and dyndys.tv), and there is no difference in any of them. It is just a name. Personally my favorite is 'kick-ass.org', but professionalism's sake, I could not use it!
Type in the host name you want, and select 'Host with IP address' under service type. Also click 'Use Auto Detected IP Address xxx.xxx.xxx' to assign your IP now.

After all your information has been entered, select 'Create Host'.

This should now take you to a list of your Dynamic DNS hostnames. If you want to add more, just click 'Add New Hostname' in the upper right hand corner of the page.

Your hostname is now set up! Now lets assign it to your computer.

Step 2: Configure the Dynamic DNS Service

Now that we have the hostname setup, we need to associate that hostname with a single machine. We will use the DynDNS updater, which runs as a Windows service to periodically update the IP database associated to your hostname.
Download the DynDNS updater by selecting the 'Support' tab at the top of the dyndns.com site, and clicking 'Download Now' on the upper right hand corner of the page.

Once the tool has downloaded, install the tool on your system. This will go though the normal Windows install steps.
After the updater tool has been installed, launch the updater. Select what kind of connection you have in the config windows, and then enter your DynDNS account name and password when it asks you to.

The updater will then prompt you to enter your host name, and select 'Yes, do automatic download' to allow the updater to download the hostnames registered to your account.

Select the hostname that you want to use, and select 'Next'. If at anytime it asks you about a 'Group', just insert a groupname, and remember this name if you are setting up multiple PC's

Once again, select 'Detect my IP' to assign your address to the host name.

Enable automatic IP updating, and also tell the program to install itself as a Windows service. This will make the updater completely invisible.

If you do see a green 'check-mark' Icon in the system tray, you can just right-click on it and select 'Exit' to never see it again.

You have now successfully configured the Dynamic DNS service. Restart your computer to start the service.

Part C: Remote to your Computer

Now that all the services have been set up, you can remote to your computer.
On a different computer, open the 'Remote Desktop Connection' tool, which will be located in Start-Accessories-Communications.
In this window, type the hostname that you assigned your computer followed by a colon and the port number you assigned in Part A.
If you kept the port as 3389, you will not need to input the port number.

If it prompts for credentials, insert the name and password you usually use to login to your machine.
You should now be remoted into your computer!

If you have any questions, please feel free to e-mail, IM, or PM me, and if there are any errors, let me know!

Thanks to Andrew Steffen, who introduced me to the Dynamic DNS service,and for putting up with my questions!

Dotard · 03-12-08

Good job + rep

**dr4gon** · 03-12-08

WOW, nice guide, + REP!!!

Don't have a use right now, but this could be handy. I guess XP works similarly?

Danbeme32 · 03-12-08

Kwel I was talking to my mom about this. Seens she lives in Florida and me in NJ. I told her that there is a way to do it remotely. It takes a long time to explain to my mom about steps she has to take to solve a problem. She new to the pc world.
Even tho it's good for her to learn in case she can't reach me.
I have to try this with her.

bdattilo · 03-12-08

Quote:

Originally Posted by dr4gon

WOW, nice guide, + REP!!!

Don't have a use right now, but this could be handy. I guess XP works similarly?

Yup, XP works exactly the same, just control panel layout is different.

Thanks for the comments

**dr4gon** · 03-12-08

Sweet, yeah I just tested it actually going to the XP computer right next to me. It does kick it off and put it in the login screen, but it makes sense to limit the number of users to 1. (lol imagine having 2 cursors)....

bdattilo · 03-12-08

Quote:

Originally Posted by dr4gon

Sweet, yeah I just tested it actually going to the XP computer right next to me. It does kick it off and put it in the login screen, but it makes sense to limit the number of users to 1. (lol imagine having 2 cursors)....

Glad that it worked! I am no english major, so it is good to know people are able to follow my written instructions!

Sparhawk · 03-12-08

Nice guide, hopefully I can get this working on my computer later.

m|dg3t · 03-12-08

Definitely will try this later. It doesn't count as a peer to peer connection does it?

**Krunk_Kracker** · 03-12-08

Curses!!

I have a RDP write up that was going to be finished tonight!

Anyways, good job bro

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How To: Remote Desktop and Routers/DynDNS

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