What is remote desktop (RDP: Remote Desktop Protocol)? Well, it is a way to control a computer from another computer in a different location.

Why use remote desktop? For a system administrator you can manage all of your servers and workstations from a single computer, for an individual I’m sure you have gotten somewhere and forgot a file, picture, or something? Well with RDP you can remote in and email it to yourself.

I bet your ready to get started now, aren’t ya! Well we need to make sure some security measures are in place, because if you can reach your computer remotely so can someone else.

1. You need to make sure you have a password for all user accounts that are going to use RDP. Go to Start -> Control Panel -> User Accounts

Select the users you want to allow access through RDP, then select create/change password. I suggest you use a password that is not found in the dictionary along with a number and/or a capital letter.

2. Next we turn on the RDP and grant access to your user. So go to Start -> Right click on My Computer and select properties (or Windows logo + Break from our keyboard shortcuts article) -> Select the Remote tab and check the Allow users to connect remotely to this computer. Then click Select Remote Users… add, and add your user.

3. If you don’t have a router you can skip to step 4. We need to set up port forwarding on your routers interface. You will want to go to your firewall settings in your router and add a new setting (router interfaces are all different so this may not be exact).

Source/incoming:

interface: WAN

IP range: * (unless you only want to access from 1 computer then you would enter its IP address)

Destination/outgoing:

interface: LAN

IP range: this is the internal ip of you computer (not to be confuse w/ the external ip you use to connect) if you do not know it you can go to Start -> Control Panel -> Network Connections -> dbl click on Local Area Connection -> Support tab and its the IP address (or Windows + R -> type CMD -> type ipconfig)

Protocol: TCP

Port Rang: 3389

Schedule: you can set at what times during the day you want to allow access.

4. To access RDP from another computer you need to know your IP. The thing about IP’s if you don’t pay for a static IP it will change on you with out notice. DynDns offers a good FREE product, you can download an auto IP updater thingy that works with DynDNS to keep your IP updated automatically.

5. From another computer you can go to Start -> All Programs -> Accessories -> Remote Desktop Connection (or Windows + R, and type mstsc) Enter your IP address or dyndns domain and your “in like Flynn”

Filed under: Microsoft, rdp, windows xp