Using Microsoft Remote Desktop connection

Question

Using Microsoft Remote Desktop connection

I need help setting up my new MacBook Air to access a PC running Windows XP using Remote Desktop Connection that came with my version of Office 2011. I use an Apple Extreme wireless router.

When the computer MBA and PC are connected to the same network I can successfully connect to my PC. When both computers are not on my network I have problems.

On my Apple Extreme the router mode is DHCP and NAT. Under DHCP Reservations I have set up the MAC address of my PC and its IP Address.

In Port Settings I have added Remote Windows Desktop using the default Port # and the PC's IP Address.

I have tried both the IP Address and computer name in the RDC screen but I still cannot get connected.

Any suggestions on how to get it working are appreciated.

Posted on Dec 31, 2012 5:07 PM

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Answer 1

Dec 31, 2012 5:13 PM in response to brainwave1989

Where are both systems? Is the PC at your home or at your work? The Mac connecting to the PC is not serving any data, so it should not matter what the router settings are for the network that this system is on; however, you will have to set the PC network's settings to forward traffic to the PC (port 3389), and then connect to the router's IP address (not that of your PC) when outside of the network.

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Answer 2

Dec 31, 2012 6:30 PM in response to Topher Kessler

Thank you Topher.

The Mac will be used outside my residence. The PC is at my residence.

How can I set the PC network's settings to forward traffice to the PC (port 3389)?

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Answer 3

BobHarris

Level 9

56,933 points

Dec 31, 2012 6:31 PM in response to brainwave1989

You need to specify the IP address your ISP has assigned to your router (Google "my ip address" and Google will tell you the IP address assigned to your router). You cannot use the local NAT provided IP addresses, which are generally something like 168.192.n.n - all 168.192.n.n, 10.n.n.n, 172.16.n.n - 172.32.n.n address are local LAN only non-routing IP addresses.

To make your life easier, you might want to get a free dynamic DNS name from No-IP.com or DynDNS.org and run a dynamic DNS updating utililty on the Windows system.

If you cannot connect after using the correct IP address, you might want to double check your port forwarding via <http://portforward.com>

Tangent: If you have not played with CoRD, you should check it out, as it is a decent RDC client.

CoRD (Microsoft RDC Screen Sharing)

<http://www.macupdate.com/info.php/id/22770/cord>

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Answer 4

Dec 31, 2012 10:14 PM in response to BobHarris

Thank you BobHarris.

You explained in such a great way. Happy New Year!

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