How Can You Access Your Home Server From the Internet?

Access a remote server from the road.

Remotely accessing a home server is easy to do thanks to a built-in program in most Windows operating systems called the Remote Desktop program (RDP). This application allows you to connect to a computer remotely as long as you know the IP address of the computer, and have a valid username and password to log in to the server.

Things You'll Need

• User account on home server

Instructions

1. Find out the IP address of your home server using an online service, such as WhatIsMyIP.com or WhatIsMyIPAddress.com (see Resources). Open a web browser on your home server and visit one of these websites and note the IP address that is given.

2. Forward the RDP port (port 3389) through your network router, if necessary. If your home server is behind a firewall or a router, you need to open the configuration panel for the firewall or router and add port 3389 as an exception to be forwarded to the home server. Because configurations differ greatly across different makes and models of routers and firewalls, you should consult the user manual for yours on details about how to perform this process.

3. Open the Remote Desktop program on your remote computer. Click the "Start" button, click on "Run," type in "MSTSC" and hit the Enter key.

4. Type in the IP address of your home server in the RDP window and click the "Connect" button. Enter the username and password for your account when requested and you will be connected to your home server.

Tips & Warnings

• You can use a service, such NoIP.com or DynDNS.org, to get around the problem of dynamic IP addresses. Services like these assign a free domain name to your dynamic IP address, allowing you to connect to your home server even if the IP constantly changes.

References

• Skullbox: Using RDP
• Microsoft: Get started using Remote Desktop with Windows XP Professional

Resources

• What Is My IP
• What Is My IP Address