How to Remote Desktop
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[edit] What is Remote Desktop?
Remote Desktop (sometimes called "RDP") is a way of controlling a computer ("host") using another computer ("client") in a network or over the Internet. It's useful for things like:
- Accessing the server computers from your desk
- Combined with VPN, accessing or administering ACL computers from home
[edit] Can I Remote Desktop?
Windows XP comes with Remote Desktop, but several conditions must be met:
- Both host and client must be turned on and running Windows XP
- Remote Desktop isn't being blocked by the host's or client's firewall
- The host must have Remote Desktop turned on. To do this, go to:
- My Computer -> Properties
- Remote
- Allow users to connect remotely to this computer (check ON)
- You must know a valid user id and password for the host computer.
- The host must have an IP reachable from the client. This means that a network IP will not work unless you are on the network.
Explaining this last point in more detail, let's say we have three computers:
- Fourier (on the ACL network; network IP: 192.168.4.88)
- CUBE_1 (on the ACL network; network IP: 192.168.4.119)
- Dan (some Toronto apartment; IP: 99.231.123.45)
Everyone has Internet access, is running Windows XP, and has Remote Desktop turned on.
Fourier and CUBE_1 can see each other because they're on the same network. So Fourier can RDP to CUBE_1 and vice versa.
Fourier and CUBE_1, because they're both connected to the Internet, can see and RDP to Dan.
As far as Dan's concerned, he can only see the ACL network (a different IP), not inside it, so he cannot RDP to Fourier or CUBE_1.
Once Dan uses VPN to get on the ACL network from home, he can RDP to both Fourier and CUBE_1.
[edit] How to Remote Desktop (Windows XP)
On the client machine:
- Start -> Programs -> Accessories -> Communications -> Remote Desktop Connection
- Type in the host computer IP (or its name, if you're connecting to a computer on the local network)
[edit] Warning!!
When you RDP using Windows, you log off anyone on the host machine. So ensure that no one will actually be using the host computer before you RDP!
