KBBWDE
Level 1 (0 points)

Q: Access server remotely

I need to access a mac mini server while I am away from the network.  What is the easiest and best way to do that?  I am on a macbook pro running Mavericks. And i believe the server is running Lion.  Do I do a VPN? I have seen a mention of "Chicken of the VNC."  I have googled and googled and cannot find instructions that will help me. 

 

Thanks in advance!

Posted on Jun 19, 2014 11:14 AM

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KBBWDE

Q: Access server remotely

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  • by iToaster,

    iToaster iToaster Jun 19, 2014 10:48 PM in response to KBBWDE
    Level 3 (739 points)
    Jun 19, 2014 10:48 PM in response to KBBWDE

    Apple Remote Desktop (ARD) will give your more features than VNC

    VPN will give you a secure connection to all machines on the network

    You could  also use the built in screen sharing

     

    http://www.apple.com/remotedesktop/

  • by KBBWDE,

    KBBWDE KBBWDE Jun 20, 2014 5:24 AM in response to iToaster
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jun 20, 2014 5:24 AM in response to iToaster

    I can use ARD when I am away from the network?  I will be at home and I will be accessing the network at my school.

  • by Strontium90,

    Strontium90 Strontium90 Jun 20, 2014 3:53 PM in response to KBBWDE
    Level 5 (4,087 points)
    Servers Enterprise
    Jun 20, 2014 3:53 PM in response to KBBWDE

    The safest way to do this is to ensure that you are safely communicating.  This is often done by connecting via a VPN first.  Once you are connected, then you can use ARD to remotely control the machine. 

     

    You can open port 5900 and allow direct observe/control via your public address.  However, this is not recommended because of the possibility of exploit.  Plus, unless you have a ton of public addresses, the use of the port forward will allow control of only one device.  By connecting via VPN you then have access to all devices on your network.

     

    VPN can be configured on your server as it offers PPTP and L2TP.  If you have a firewall, you might have access to IP/Sec or SSL depending on your device.

     

    Reid
    Apple Consultants Network

    Apple Professional Services

    Author "Mavericks Server – Foundation Services" :: Exclusively available in the Apple iBooks Store

  • by iToaster,

    iToaster iToaster Jun 20, 2014 4:16 PM in response to KBBWDE
    Level 3 (739 points)
    Jun 20, 2014 4:16 PM in response to KBBWDE

    As Strontium90 says, use ARD via VPN , doing things that way you're more secure and you can use ARD to remote into any other macs on the network,

    Otherwise your going to have to open more ports and more rules on your firewall/router which gets very complicated very quickly the more machines you have