how can I set up my macbook air to use programs on my iMac over the internet?

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Level 1

9 points

how can I set up my macbook air to use programs on my iMac over the internet?

I have a program (MacPractice) on my iMac. It's running the server program while my MacBook Air is running the client software which has to be connected via the wireless (last Gen Time machine) in my office to function. What do I need to do to be able to access my iMac over the internet when I'm out of the office? I was told that I would need to set up a DNS (?) address to log in. I use a Comcast internet modem which goes through my Time Machine wireless router to my iMac. Is this even possible to do with the current setup?

OS X Mountain Lion (10.8.2)

Posted on Dec 8, 2012 8:23 PM

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Answer 1

Tesserax

Level 10

148,309 points

Dec 9, 2012 10:28 AM in response to demsdale

Have you been able to access the MacPractice program remotely before and are not able to do so now ... or have you never attempted this? If it is the latter, I would suggest that you contact the MacPractice Support site to find out what it would require to access this application remotely. Regardless of the manufacturer of your router, if port mapping is a requirement, then we would need to know what those ports are for example to assist you.

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Answer 2

demsdale Author

Level 1

9 points

Dec 10, 2012 6:57 AM in response to Tesserax

I have not been able to access my iMac remotely from over the Internet. I know that it is possible, however I do have the added complexity of having to deal with the Comcast wireless router prior to getting to my airport/Time Machine. I was hoping perhaps someone has already invented the wheel and can tell me how I can do this without incurring considerable cost through dealing with Comcast.

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Answer 3

Tesserax

Level 10

148,309 points

Dec 10, 2012 12:19 PM in response to demsdale

There are a number of methods available to access your iMac remotely. The simpliest is Back to my Mac (BtMM). Have you explored this method?

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Answer 4

demsdale Author

Level 1

9 points

Dec 10, 2012 1:28 PM in response to Tesserax

This is not a possibility. I want to be able to work on my computer on a program that someone else is also working on that computer on the same program at the same time. That is why I have a server and client designation on my software.

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Answer 5

Tesserax

Level 10

148,309 points

Dec 10, 2012 2:57 PM in response to demsdale

Ok, in this case your iMac will be performing as an application server. As such, it will need to be "reachable" from the Internet. This is typically done in one of two ways: 1) It is assigned a static Public IP address, or 2) It is assigned a static Private IP address.

In the first method, your iMac will be like any other publically available server (Web, E-Mail, etc.) To accomplish this, you would need for your ISP to provide you with a static Public IP. You can then configure the AirPort Extreme to allow remote clients to access this server by creating a DMZ for the server. This would fully expose your iMac to the Internet.

In the second method, you would assign the iMac a static Private IP address that is just outside of the default range of the AirPort's DHCP service. You would then configure the AirPort for port mapping. Which ports that will be needed to be mapped will depend on what your application's support tells you.

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Answer 6

demsdale Author

Level 1

9 points

Dec 10, 2012 3:45 PM in response to Tesserax

As i know Comcast would love to charge me a monthly fee for the first choice, I would naturally gravitate to the second choice. Is there anywhere I can go to learn how to do this as I have very little expereince attemptng something like this.

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Answer 7

Tesserax

Level 10

148,309 points

Dec 10, 2012 4:23 PM in response to demsdale

I would suggest that you contact the application support site. They should be able to provide you with what it would take to access their server application remotely. After you do and still need assistance I can help you with how to configure your AirPort for port mapping if that is what is required.

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