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TICKET ARCHIVE -> Remote Desktop over internet

cjric - Nov 25, 2006 - 3:38 am

I am trying to control a computer with Apple Remote Desktop 3 over the internet. Im using an iMac core duo and trying to connect to a G4 Titanium PowerBook running 10.3. I am connecting to the internet using my airpiort as a base station hooked to a DSL modem. The remote computer accesses the internet using a Linksys wireless router.

What steps do I take to connect? I input the IP address and get a DNS name that looks right, but thats as far as I get. When I enter the user name and password of the remote computer, it spins for a while and then says connection error.

Can you provide me with a step-by-step setup for this particular situation?

stottm - Nov 26, 2006 - 3:33 am

This article probably covers the issue - You need to open UDP Port 3283 on the Linksys Router and forward it to the G4 TiBook - http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=106847

Apple's ARD Support Page:
http://www.apple.com/support/remotedesktop/

FYI there is a 3.1 update that is highly recommended. Update both the Remote Desktop and the client side (G4 TiBook).

Since you are going over the Internet you are exposing your connection to the Wild Wild West of the Internet. You need to encrypt the entire connection or someone might be able to sniff something important.

From the Administrators ARD Guide 3.1:
http://images.apple.com/remotedeskto...de20061116.pdf

Encrypting Observe and Control Network Data
Although Remote Desktop sends authentication information, keystrokes, and
management commands encrypted by default, you may want additional security. You can choose to encrypt all Observe and Control traffic, at a certain performance cost.

Encryption is done using an SSH tunnel between the participating computers. In order to use encryption for Observe and Control tasks, the target computers must have SSH enabled (“Remote Login” in the computer’s Sharing Preference pane). Additionally, firewalls between the participating computers must be configured to pass traffic on TCP port 22 (SSH well known port).

I don't have ARD (at the moment) but I have setup SSH tunnels between two Mac's and between a Mac and a WinXP computer running UltraVNC and was able to fully encrypt the traffic and pass through a firewall. ARD should make this easier because it includes SSH support and you don't really have to configure the client side short of turning on Remote Desktop and allowing it through the firewall / router. Without ARD, you have to allow VNC connections, perform the SSH manually on the command line and in the case of WinXP install UltraVNC and Putty (SSH Client). Under WinXP you need to actually setup a reverse tunnel which is confusing for most SSH users.

Again, ARD should be much easier. Download the Administrators guide and read it. It covers how to do all the above. You should fully encrypt everything because you are not on a trusted network but connecting over the Internet. ARD can setup a full SSH tunnel between the two computers which will encrypt all the traffic. Follow the instructions in the PDF and skim through the support notes and the Forum:

http://discussions.apple.com/forum.jspa?forumID=1007