How do you configure a router to allow remote access to folders on a home computer.?

Question

I figured out how to set up a VPN & map a network drive across a LAN(shared router). How can connect remotely to a mapped drive and copy files from it? When i connect with the VPN it shows the connection active on both computers at this point i thought i would be able to see the other computers hard dive and copy files from it. I don't know what to do with the VPN or how to connect with it remotely through my router. The desktop runs w2k and the laptop is xp. In setting up remote access was it nessary to configure an incoming connection on the w2k pc and folder sharing with primission or VPN on the xp pc just to be able to copy files from my home computer? What do i need to do as far as changing the configuration of the remote access from time to time to provide security for my computers Since i my be connecting my computer to the internet at cafe's and hotels? Need anything from hong kong let me know and i will see what i can do. Thanks for your help.

Answer 1

You might want to check out a program called Hamachi. it's free and it lets you set up VPNs in a ridiculously short amount of time:
http://www.hamachi.cc

Answer 2

Make sure you have a password on your PC or remote wont work
set your PC for a static address
Make sure not to use an address in the range given out by your router (If your router gives out addresses 192.168.1.100 to 254 use 192.168.1.99 so there are no conflicts)
Turn on remote desktop on your computer and give yourself permission
Che3ck your local PC firewall rules
connect from another pc to see if you get a logon screen
Go to your router and open port 3389 and point it to your new static address (in my example 192.168.1.99)
3389 is the "frequency " of remote desktop
Now from the outside world point your remote desktop client to the ip address of yuor cable modem. If your IP Changes (Ask your ISP) then go to www.no-ip.com and get a NO IP dns thingy which set up a name to your computer on the internet

If all this seems too hard go to www.gotomypc.com or www.pcnow.com and pay for a monthly subsc which is very easy to set up

Answer 3

You have to be able to open port 445 (CIFS) to your home computer. You might also need netios services (137-139). This can be difficult if you are on a NATed network, as most home networks are. Also, if your address is dynamically allocated (such as by DHCP), you'll need a dynamic DNS scheme to figure out what your current IP address is.

Answer 4

First, you have to be able to find your computer.

Use http://www.no-ip.com/

Good luck