Getting Started

If you have a router capable of updating a dynamic domain name service and also forwarding IP addresses and ports, you may be able to use Remote Desktop with very little effort. 

The first thing to do is determine what kind of router you have and if it will support a dynamic domain name service like DnyDNS.org.  DnyDNS.org offers a free service that helps you access to your dynamic IP address easily.  Linksys routers have a section in their menu called DDNS for dynamic DNS.  If your router supports DynDNS.org, follow the instructions below.

Create a DynDNS Account

1.	From the computer that you want to connect to remotely, go to http://www.dyndns.com/, click on Account, then click Create Account.  Select a user name and password to create an account.  Enter your email address and password and click the Create Account button.  In a few minutes, an email will be sent to you to confirm your account.
2.	Click the link in the email that is sent to you and log into your account.  Click on Services > Dynamic DNS > Add Dynamic DNS.  This is where you set your host name prefix.  This can be any word or phrase that is not already taken, so you will need to try one to see if it is accepted.  This is added to any one of the extensions available.  Example: uniformstore.dyndns.org or uniformstore.dyndns.biz.  This is what you will use later as a computer name to log into your computer remotely.
3.	Click the Add Host button then log out of the website.

Enabling Remote Desktop

1.	The next thing to do is to enable Remote Desktop on the computer that you will connect to.  Right click on My Computer > Properties > Remote tab.  Check the box that says Allow users to connect remotely to this computer.
2.	To use Remote Desktop, you must have a password set for Windows user name.  If you do not log into Windows using a password you must setup a password.  Go to Start > Settings > Control Panel > User Accounts.  Double click on the user that you log in as then click on Create a password.

Setting a Fixed IP Address

1.	Your computer must have a fixed IP address.  To set a fixed IP address, right click on My Network Places > Properties.  Right click on Local Area Connection > Status.  Click on the Support tab.  If the Address Type does not show manually configured, you will need to configure your fixed IP address.  Write down the IP address located in the IP Address field.
2.	Click on the General tab to bring to the forefront then click on the Properties button on the lower left hand corner of the screen.  When the screen opens, click on Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) to highlight then click the Properties button.
3.	Select Use the following IP address and type in the IP address that you wrote down in the previous step.  After you have entered the IP address press the tab key to enter the Subnet Mask field and it will populate itself.  Enter the IP address of the router into both the Default Gateway field and the Preferred DNS server field (usually 192.168.1.1) press OK to save your changes then close all screens back to the desktop.

Setting up the Router

The last step is to setup your router to update the dynamic DNS service, and then to forward a remote request to the appropriate IP address.  If your router supports UPnP (Universal Plug n' Play) forwarding you can use any port number from 1 to 65535 that is not being used.  Generally, ports 49152 through 65535 are unused.  This is available with the Linksys WRV54G router.  You can also accomplish the port forwarding using a Port Range forwarding feature with the port number 3389 (this is the default port number that Remote Desktop uses).  This is available with the Linksys WRV54G router. 

1.	To access you router's settings, open your Internet browser, and type the router's IP address in the address bar.  Check your router's documentation to determine the correct IP address and user name and password.  Linksys routers use 192.168.1.1 as their IP address.
2.	You will definitely want to set your own user name and password for the router to ensure greater security.  This is done under the Administration section.

Configuring a Linksys WRV54G - Wireless-G VPN Router

Illustrations and brief instructions for setting up a dynamic DNS service and port forwarding are listed below for the Linksys WRV54-G and the WRT54G routers.  All other Linksys routers that support Dynamic DNS will appear similar to one of these.  Other types of routers may be used as long as they support Dynamic DNS and have equivalent settings for port forwarding.  You can go to www.portforward.com  which provides step-by-step instructions for setting up port forwarding for a variety of routers .

1.

In the DDNS section under Setup, enter the user name and password as well as the host name you setup when you registered with DynDNS.org.  Be sure to click Save Settings at the bottom of the page.

2.

Navigate to the UPnP Forwarding Section under Applications & Gaming.  Enter any number between 49152 and 65535 for the Ext. Port.  The Int. Port must be 3389.  Enter the last digits of the IP address then check the Enabled box.  You may enter anything in the Application field simply for your reference such as the computer name or "remote desktop".  Be sure to click Save Settings at the bottom of the page.

Configuring a Linksys WRT54G - Wireless-G Broadband Router

1.	In the DDNS section under Setup, enter the user name and password as well as the host name you setup when you registered with DynDNS.org.  Be sure to click Save Settings at the bottom of the page.
2.	If your router supports Port Range forwarding only, set the start and end ports to 3389 and direct it to the appropriate IP address.  You may enter anything in the Application field simply for your reference such as the computer name or "remote desktop".  Click the Enable check box and be sure to click Save Settings at the bottom of the page.

Connecting to another computer through Remote Desktop

1.

Click Start > Programs > Accessories > Communications > Remote Desktop Connection.  Enter the alias computer name you setup with DynDns, and add a semicolon and the port number you setup in the router.  The port number will be the Ext. Port number if you used the UPnP Forwarding, or 3389 if you used the Port Range Forwarding.  Example: 'uniformstore.dyndns.org:63000', or 'uniformstore.dyndns.org:3389'.  If you wish, you can enter the use name and password for the computer you are connecting to before you try to connect.  If you do not, it will require you to enter them when it actually connects.

2.

There are several options that can be set according to your preferences.  On the Local Resources tab, you may want to check the Disk drivers box to allow access to your local computer's files while you are logged in remotely.

Technical Support is available Monday - Friday 8:30am - 5:00 pm Central Standard time. The phone number is 1-800-286-8929 Option #2.

Please have a valid support contract or be ready to purchase support time.