How can I access a remote PC securely throught the internet

[TheAggie]

We now have the PCs at our church connected to DSL (dynamic IP) through a DSL Router. It would be helpful to be able to remotely access them for adminitrative reasons as well as to allow some data entry to be done from peoples home PCs in a secure form so the data is kept at the church but it could be entered by volunteers without them having to come to the church. All PCs can be assumed to be running Windows XP.

Options I had started thinking about:
1) Setting up a VPN server; but, since the church DSL has a dynamic IP and the PCs at the church are behind a NAT server that path seems like it may have a lot of challenges.
2) Something like PC Anywhere but over IP; but, don't know if there is such a thing.
3) Setting up incoming PPP or PC Anywhere over a modem; but this is probably too slow for much as I often can't get a connection better that 28K from our home phone (out in the country, quite a ways from the CO).

Any recommendations / Advice?

Thanks,
Mark

 

[IFRs]

I use RAdmin

http://www.famatech.com

for this exact purpose. I access my home computer from work. My home computer is on a LAN sharing high speed cable modem behind a router. RAdmin allows you to look, control, transfer files, etc. Fast and inexpensive. Simple to setup. In the router setup, forward the RAdmin port you use to the computer you want to "see". On the computer being seen, set up a password in RAdmin.

 

[KimLeece]

To get around the dynamic IP problem checkout:

http://www.noip.com

If you have PCAnywhere already it will work fine - you just set it up as a TCP/IP connection.

Kim.

'Everybody is ignorant - only on different subjects.'
Will Rogers.

 

[bfrog1507]

I have a network set up at work on XP PRO. I need to access this network from home--using same OS. I have tried setting up a network patch through XP but I can't seem to get any acknoledgement from any work computer. My connection is DSL.

Any insite to this "problem of mine" would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Brian

 

[vbainchicago]

I'm a fan of free apps, like VNC. It's simple as can be, and is 100% free. You can check it out at

http://www.realvnc.com

VBAinChicago

http://www.jjscomputing.com

For Fun -

http://www.321google.com