Connect 1 desktop and 1 laptop over WLAN-router and UltraVNC

[netwolf]

Hi,

I have 1 desktop with lots of data on it, but (currently) no working monitor, and one laptop with a working monitor but only little data on it, and a WLAN router (Siemens 105 dsl/cable).

So what I´d really like to do is the following:

1) be able to access my desktop PC´s desktop from my laptop (both connected to router), incl. file transfer in both directions
2) be able to access either my desktop or my laptop (both connected to router) from 'outside' (I have a more or less static IP).

Additionally, both computers should be stay connected to WAN, as the desktop is supposed to serve as a server/download station...

Now my questions are: is it generally possible ?
If yes (which is what I hope ): what exactly do I have to do?

(obviously the latest version of ultravnc got to be installed on both computers, but are there any special settings in UltraVNC or my router (I´ve got it only 2 days ago, but IIRC there are some "trigger ports" I can set, and I can forward ports in a submenu for "special applications" that require more than one connection...

As you probably realised, I'm not exactly an expert on network stuff..., so I´d really appreciate your help!

thx

[Guest]

as far as IPs run...you can signup for free at www.no-ip.com and sign up an acc there to make a domain of your choice registerd to you

with a utility availble from their website you can automatically update your IP (download it to your desktop and give it your user information)

w/o being able to see on the desktop it would be a big problem installing any software, although, if you use the keyboard only on the laptop and do the exact same commands/keys as you do on the desktop, you should be all right - but of course itll be an issue getting to make a password...are you able to use a monitor for 5 minutes on the PC? that would make things far easier then anything else...

[netwolf]

Thank you for the hint with no-ip, sounds very good!

wrt monitor: I have my old monitor still at home, and I can kind of use it. Although the picture is extremely blurred, all colours are wrong and you get a headache after minutes, it won´t be a problem to use it for installing UltraVNC (or actually upgrading, as I used it before, but at that time my desktop PC was connected to WAN directly, without any router, and I didn´t have a laptop, so I didn´t have to deal with router settings, private IPs...)

[ipsec]

Your question - Is it possible to connect to your desktop via your laptop, and connect to either from the internet.

I would have to say Generally the answer would be YES.

The exceptions are those that dont have administrative access to their router/computer.

Scenario 1 - Accessing Desktop from Laptop. You need to install the VNC Server program on that computer. Depending on how familiar you are with it it could take you a few mins to a bit longer to configure. *Suggestion*Install it a few times on your Laptop, get familiar with the settings you want to change then when you are looking at the crappy picture its not for that long.

After the server is turned on the desktop, you can then connect to it either via the VNC viewer or the java web viewer if that is not disabled. Either by IP address or hostname. This is your internal network IP address not your internet.

The difference between these two addresses are is one is broadcasted out to the world, the other is only to the Local Area Network in your home. This will get you to connect to your other computer, set up sharing on the network and or just use file transfer via the VNC viewer.

Second Scenario - As long as you have access to your router as an admin check out http://www.portforward.com/routers.htm . Basic instruction on how to set up forwarding for a lot of routers hopefully yours too. You need to come up with the ports you want to use each computer requires a unique port- E.g. 5990 for laptop and 5980 for desktop BY DEFAULT EVERY VNC RUNs AT 5900 for the Main Server connection and 5800 for the HTTP server connection. This poses a problem because you only have ONE Internet IP address - so if you forwarded 5900 to desktop, you can NOT forward another 5900 to the laptop.

Then on each server (laptop or desktop) specify the exact same port... This is for simplicity only. You can specify port 5990 to go to 5900 via your router but its your choice, easiest way is to do the same port for troubleshooting.

Lastly you use a vnc viewer on the internet from someone outside your network. If you have the right Internet IP address you can then utilize that and the port after it to connect to your desktop and or laptop. Obviously only one connection at a time per viewer session. You could open up both in two if you chose to do so.

I gave you the very slimmed down approach on this. When you finally get your server running internally, and want to do it over the internet. I would Highly suggest that you use a security plugin ect for privacy over the internet. Just come back and im sure someone can help you with that info.

[netwolf]

Thanks a lot !
Connection between the 2 computers over LAN is already working !
And it is even easier than setting up a MS home network (for file transfer).
Now I´m gonna start having a look at the various plugins, where DSM plugin seems to be the most important or interesting one to me.
I hope you don´t mind if I come back and continue this thread in case any further questions/problems arise.

[ipsec]

I dont mind, dont think anyone does..

but sometimes it takes me a bit to reply depending on various stuff.

Have fun, play.. but ensure you understand what you are doing for the connection to your home network from outside.. You dont want others connecting to your computers...

If something doesnt work for you, after testing, disable whatever you added until you get more time to work on it. Thats a good way of ensuring only what you want to happen, happens.