Can I access my own computer from the internet?

[Bazango]

Since I have a modem and dial out, it occurs to me that I might be able to access my computer from other sites away from home. This could be enormously useful to me. What, if any, are the possibilities in doing this? Can I give my computer a URL?

[quietinthecorner]

You can access your puter from any puter such as email.

[Bazango]

E-mail? You mean like Hotmail? I would like to be able to actually run my computer from a remote point via the internet. Can I do this?

Anybody?

[MrEd]

Well, if I understand the question, there is a program called PCAnywhere. I havn't used it, but from what I understand, you install it on the pc's you're going to be using. But I think it only allows for file transfer and such, not complete control of another pc. A WAN connection is maybe your best solution, but I don't know how you're going to network the various computers together.

-MrEd
/forum/smile.gif

[FlameOut]

There is a program called LapLink that will let you run your computer from a remote site

[jman01pa]

OOPs! /forum/smile.gif

[This message has been edited by jman01pa (edited 11-23-1999).]

[jman01pa]

Laplink and PC Anywhere work great for remote use. I prefer PC Anywhere. Very easy to configure. However, you did mention using it over the internet and I dont believe that is possible.

J /forum/smile.gif

[Zotzmein]

If you can arrange for your ISP to setup a fixed static IP for your account, you could access your system remotely via the Internet*.

However you will need to install some security measures otherwise anyone who finds your IP number would be able to access your computer remotely.

Regards to All,

Zotz Mein

*The system your need to access would have to be online

[Bazango]

Thanks all for the responses. I think I get the idea. I was hoping I would be able to access my databases remotely.

Doesn't all this stuff on the internet exist in computers somewhere? Why can't my computer be one of these computers?

[Zotzmein]

Many online services utilize for the general consumer rolling IP numbers. This is intended to offer a measure of protection, when you visit a website, it can record your current IP number (similar to the information garnered on this board when you post).

If I was a malicious Webmaster, I could use that information and remotely access your computer, seconds after you visited my site, while you are still online!

If you want to have access to your computer remotely via the net you only have to do two things.

1. Request that your access provider assign you a static IP.
2. Make sure the computer you wish to visit remotely is online.

However, the same easy by which you now have remote access gives those of less sincere intent equal access to your system, assuming they figure out your specific IP number.

Therefore it behooves you to add some level of protection, to prevent unauthorized access.

Regards to All,

Zotz Mein

[800XL]

You could also use a dynamic IP with a dynamic DNS service. That way a particular name is attached to your IP address, no matter what it is. Check out www.dyndns.org (http://www.dyndns.org)

[This message has been edited by 800XL (edited 11-24-1999).]

[Dave_H]

I think you want Pc-anywhere.
Like jman01pa said, its not an internet connection, but will do what you want.
If both computers have modems it will work.
It will establish a connection thru the phone line and modems, not an internet connection, but a direct connection. I use it between my work and home computer and it works great. Make sure you use a good password.

[Bazango]

OK, but say I don't want to leave my computer on. Isn't it possible to turn my computer on if I hook up my modem a certain way? Isn't there a wire or something that goes from the modem to the motherboard? The term "waken on LAN" comes to mind.

What about the internet question? What kind of computers make up the internet?

[DaddyGoose]

Server boards and high price workstations have a wol and a wom connector that allow nic's and modems to "wake" the system...

[Zotzmein]

It depends on your motherboard

My motherboard ABIT BX6 Revision 2.0 has "Power on by Ring" and "Power on by Alarm".

In the "Power on by Ring" it requires an external modem plugged into a serial port, USB will not work.

You would call you home computers phone line. After the designated number of rings the system would begin the power up process; you would then hang-up the phone, thus clearing the telephone line.

During the startup of the system programs you would set it to dial your local access provider and log online. Thus your system was neither ON or ONLINE until you dialed your computer.

Regards to All,

Zotz Mein

[Bazango]

Wow, thanks for all the good information, all. Keep it coming. So, I can get my computer to dial up the internet remotely. I still think it must be possible to access my computer as a site on the internet. After all, all this stuff on "the internet" exists on a computer somewhere and you have to be able to access those computers by phone. - unless they always leave them on. Even so, you would think it would be possible to turn on such a system remotely.