Radmin???

[Paul Haese]

Ok I have Radmin server on my obs computer which is connected to the net via a wireless modem in the house.

I am using Radmin viewer on my laptop which is connected to my phone for internet.

Radmin is started on the obs computer and the viewer is open. I am assuming that the IP address is the one used by the modem.

So when I connect I get a message saying that the connection failed.

What exactly am I doing wrong?

[pluto]

Have you enabled port forwarding/NAT on the modem?
I think the default port for radmin is 4899 but you should probably set that to something else.

[cfranks]

Paul,

On my setup, the IP address it's looking for is the one you see if you do an 'ipconfig' on the computer you want to monitor. I'm not sure if that is what you meant.

Charles

[Paul Haese]

Thanks guys for the responses.

To update, I can use Radmin to view the local network. Found the IP address after discovering that the run command is no longer used to view ipconfig. The CMD function is now used to view ipconfig.

I now have to work out how to do port forwarding with my current modem/router at the observatory. I am reliably told that I need to use DynDNS to monitor my IP for the observatory and if I setup port forwarding at portforwarding.com I should be able to configure my router.

I hope that makes sense. Any suggestions if you think I can do this better?

All advice appreciated.

[pluto]

That sounds about right, and DynDNS will make life easier if your router supports it (my Netgear does).

[Paul Haese]

Right,

I got Radmin working with the remote. I now need to get DYNDNS to change my dynamic IP to a static IP so that future reboots of the computer don't change the IP address.

[acropolite]

Dynamic dns doesn't give your PC a static IP. Dynamic DNS finds and translates your router's public IP by reporting from either your remote router or an application running on your Remote PC. If you're on ADSL you can also get a static public IP by paying an additional monthly fee. Depending on your router you will most likely want a static IP set on your PC or a reservation in the router's DHCP table to allocate the same IP each time before you set up port forwarding. (I prefer to reserve an address against the PC's mac address as it simplifies management)

For initial testing and proof that your port forwarding is working the easiest way to find your public IP is by simply typing whatismyip in a web browser.
Once you're happy with your port forwarding you can set up dnynamic dns.

Port forwarding is normally set in your router. Often it goes under the heading of virtual server in the menus. Dynamic DNS is also set in your router once you have created the dyndns account. If you're using an free dynamic dns name with dyndns.org then you'll need to validate every month for continuity of the dyndns name (a bit of a PITA).

If you want some sample screenshots I can PM you an example.
Port forwarding is not complicated, as someone else has suggested it's worth changing the port used to something higher as it gives hackers one more piece in the chain to have to guess.

FWIW Team viewer will allow remote desktop capabilities without the need for port forwarding or dynamic dns. Team Viewer offers a free option with some of the features (file transfer) stripped out. You can achieve file transfer in other ways such as dropbox, email etc so it's no big deal.

[Paul Haese]

Thanks Phil, I got the port forwarding working and now have control (yeah right ;)) of the observatory via remote connection.

I consider team viewer and had several conversation at the conference over the weekend about which remote software was best. Most people said Radmin, some did like team viewer. In the end it was a cheap investment for Radmin.

What I did for port forwarding I googled how to port forward for my particular router / modem and there was a site that had a step by step approach.

I take your point about changing the port and I will look into this to see if Radmin has the capacity to shift ports.

[mithrandir]

Paul, if changing radmin is hard - or even impossible - you should be able to configure the router to map any port to the one radmin wants.
eg I have run ssh servers on two boxes so the router was set up to forward port 22 on the internet side to port 22 on one box and port 2022 to port 22 on the other.
Good practice says don't use a port number below 1024.

[pluto]

Although I don't think it's a problem with the current version, I have read of Radmin vulnerabilities that could be exploited remotely. The reason I suggested changing the port was so that anything looking for Radmin running on the default port wouldn't find it.
EDIT: just re-read what you said and that would work too.

[Paul Haese]

do you have a link? I keep getting something I have to pay for. I thought this was free?

[Screwdriverone]

Try http://www.noip.com/ Paul, I use it and it translates my router's current IP to a name like Phaese.no-ip.org so you can use the name and the server knows your current IP as the router has the account details in the Dynamic DNS section and keeps it updated periodically.

I think you will (as mentioned previously) have to click on an email link they send you monthly to keep it active, otherwise look at the payment options to make the name permanent.

Cheers

Chris

[mithrandir]

It does cost me a bit, but I have my own domain registered with godaddy and hosted by zoneedit, and my ISP provides a static IP addresss and reverse DNS (which you need if you want to run your own mail server).

[frolinmod]

I use Roller Network dns and mail services. They're comparatively inexpensive, extremely reliable, easy to manage their services online and easy people to work with. A cron job on my mail server updates my primary DNS on their servers whenever my dynamic IP changes.

Here at home I use an Untangle VM as my router/firewall. I run it as a virtual machine under VMware ESXi. It sits in a closet next to my cable modem. I have other virtual machines on there as well for a mail server, NTP server, Meteohub weather station server, NAS server, etc. Saves energy having them all run on the same physical low power server. Makes administration and backups easier too.

[Paul Haese]

I have gone with a static ip, but wonder how that will work with another computer and dome in the mix? I am guessing I will need to switch this somehow. Any ideas?

[acropolite]

Not sure how Radmin works but every other RD application I've used has differing credentials for login to each machine. If individual credentials aren't useable, it's probably easiest to use a different port forward to the second obs, e.g port forward 32123 to 4489 on one internal ip and 32122 to 4489 on the internal ip of your second obs.

[mithrandir]

Care to throw together a little schematic? You need to know what IPs the devices that will need inbound internet connections will have, so either give them static addresses, or if you use DHCP, reserve IP addresses for those MAC addresses. It only gets complex if you want to run the same service on multiple computers, and then you need to use different internet ports so they can map to the different computers.

Behind my one static address I have four computers, a Wii, two iPhones, an iPad and a Kindle, and IP enabled PVR and BluRay player. Only two of the computers accept connections from the internet so those have to be configured in the port forwarding section on the router. Exactly how you do that depends on which router you are using.

[BlackWidow]

Use NoIP for your dynamic ip. Don't use the free service, just pay the $14 per year and save yourself the headache. The free services now require you to keep resetting your account each month and that will drive you nuts. It will happen at a time when your not able to do so. Just pay the really cheap fee and it will remain active. You can use a website called CAN YOU SEE ME to test if your ports are open and set your port forwarding in your modem.

I use NoIP to allow me to log into my game security cameras from anywhere in the world on my IPhone. You have to use one of these services as your home IP will change over time if you do not have a fixed IP. Most home services only have dynamic IP's

I think you may still have my number Paul. If you do just give me a call or PM Me. Happy to assist if you have question... (Well I will do my best anyway)


Mardy:thumbsup:

[Paul Haese]

Thanks guys, lots to consider.

Martin I went with a static IP, so now I am just needing to configure for a second obs. I think Phil is onto something by using port forwarding.

[BlackWidow]

Go idea.. Fixed IP will remove the need for DDNS like NoIP. Phil is on the money, it will be a port forwarding issue that once done will solve the issue.. I opened port 8880.. Then use can you see me on the web to make sure it's open... Hope you get it all working


Mardy

[acropolite]

Just a thought Paul, if you want more security you could install a VPN router at the obs, then use PPTP (also known as dial up VPN; no relationship to dial up internet) to establish a secure (and encrypted) connection, that way you have another layer of security between your equipment and hackers. All that's needed is a static public IP and a VPN router at the Obs end. Most of the less espensive VPN routers are easily set up and not much more expensive than a normal router. With a VPN you are basically on the same subnet so port forwarding is unnecessary.

[g__day]

Alternate using (Windows 7)

1. Click on Network adapter icon next to the date and time and speaker icons - on your lower right hand side of screen (looks like a small TV screen with a trident in its upper left corner)
2. Select Open Network and Sharing Centre
3. Select up the top next to the Internet icon See full map
4. Hold your mouse over your astrolab PC and it will show you the Network name, IP v4, IPv 6 addresses and the MAC
5. Enter the IP v4 address into Radamin