I'm VPN illiterate. Any help appreciated

[Jim 777]

I have a Linksys wireless router and not a specific VPN router but it has the VPN pass through (Firmware Version: v3.0.02 ).

Is there a way to access the laptop with the VPN functionality of the Razr? What and how would I set things up>?

 

[mcsoul]

I just use VPN to get into work, I've never tried to use it to access my own computers remotely.

I think there are other remote desktop solutions that may do what you are looking for, but I don't use
those either.

 

[hookbill]

Doesn't the Razzr come with ZumoCast? That will allow some access to your computer. I have tried VPN but never had a lot of success with it. I have an iMac, could be why.

 

[cereal killer]

Hookbill! Welcome back! Btw no Zumocast on the RAZR.

Sent from my DROID RAZR

 

[SallyC]

It's called Motocast on the Droid Razr and you can set it up to access folders, play music, etc. You can learn about it here.

I use it and it's great!

 

[Jim 777]

It's called Motocast on the Droid Razr and you can set it up to access folders, play music, etc. You can learn about it here.

I use it and it's great!

I'm looking more at actually "using my laptop" from my phone, not just accessing files (I have my motocast set up). I'm looking for something easier to use than say the $30 app LogMeIn (which I have too).

For example, with LogMeIn on the computer, you're controlling the target computer through the browser, but with VPN, it's like you're sitting at the target computer itself

 

[Agent_10.7]

Hmm not sure what VPN means lol but try teamviewer. I use that and it works pretty good. You actually remote access the laptop instead of just viewing the files.

Sent from my DROID BIONIC

 

[apaulct]

I have a Linksys wireless router and not a specific VPN router but it has the VPN pass through (Firmware Version: v3.0.02 ).

Is there a way to access the laptop with the VPN functionality of the Razr? What and how would I set things up>?

You have your acronyms confused. VPN is Virtual Private Network. It's used to create a secure connection between 2 or more locations. Examples are home & office or between different company locations.

What you're looking for is VNC. That's a remote desktop system. Run a VNC server on your laptop & a VNC client on your Droid. Search the Market for VNC or RDP (Remote Desktop Protocol). Also google them for help with setup.

Allen

 

[SallyC]

I'm looking more at actually "using my laptop" from my phone, not just accessing files (I have my motocast set up). I'm looking for something easier to use than say the $30 app LogMeIn (which I have too).

For example, with LogMeIn on the computer, you're controlling the target computer through the browser, but with VPN, it's like you're sitting at the target computer itself

I haven't done this, but from the Android manual, pages 72-73:

Connecting to virtual private networks

Virtual private networks (VPNs) allow you to connect to the resources inside a secured
local network, from outside that network. VPNs are commonly deployed by
corporations, schools, and other institutions so that their users can access local
network resources when not on campus, or when connected to a wireless network.

There are numerous systems for securing VPN connections, including some that rely
on secure certificates or other schemes to ensure that only authorized users can
connect. For information about installing secure certificates, see “Working with secure
certificates” on page 74.

To configure VPN access from your phone, you must obtain the details from your
network administrator.

Add a VPN
1 Press Home , press Menu , and touch Settings, to open the Settings
application.
2 Touch Wireless & networks > VPN settings.
3 Touch Add VPN.
4 Touch the type of VPN to add.
5 In the screen that opens, follow the instructions from your network administrator
to configure each component of the VPN settings.
6 Press Menu and touch Save.
The VPN is added to the list on the VPN settings screen.

Connect to a VPN
1 Open the Settings application.
2 Touch Wireless & networks > VPN settings.
The VPNs you’ve added are listed on the VPN settings screen.
3 Touch the VPN to which you want to connect.
4 In the dialog that opens, enter any requested credentials and touch Connect.
When you’re connected to a VPN, you receive an ongoing notification in the Status
bar. If you are disconnected, you receive a notification that you can use to return to
the VPN settings screen so that you can reconnect to it. See “Managing
notifications” on page 30.

Disconnect from a VPN
Open the Notifications panel and touch the ongoing notification for the VPN
connection.

Edit a VPN
1 Open the Settings application.
2 Touch Wireless & networks > VPN settings.
The VPNs you’ve added are listed on the VPN settings screen.
3 Touch & hold the VPN whose settings you want to edit.
4 In the dialog that opens, touch Edit network.
5 Edit the VPN settings you want.
6 Press Menu and touch Save.

Delete a VPN
1 Open the Settings application.
2 Touch Wireless & networks > VPN settings.
The VPNs you’ve added are listed on the VPN settings screen.
3 Touch & hold the VPN you want to delete.
4 In the dialog that opens, touch Delete network.
5 Touch OK in the dialog that asks you to confirm you want to delete the VPN.

 

[Jim 777]

You have your acronyms confused. VPN is Virtual Private Network. It's used to create a secure connection between 2 or more locations. Examples are home & office or between different company locations.

What you're looking for is VNC. That's a remote desktop system. Run a VNC server on your laptop & a VNC client on your Droid. Search the Market for VNC or RDP (Remote Desktop Protocol). Also google them for help with setup.

Allen

No, not based on what I have been taught. I used to have a VPN set up on my laptop for work (they set it up) and that is the functionality that I'm trying to accomplish.... if possible. Creating a secure "tunnel" between the phone and my home network. I just don't know if it's possible with my equipment.

I haven't done this, but from the Android manual, pages 72-73:

Connecting to virtual private networks

...

thanks, I have read that and it unfortunately doesn't tell me the parts I don't know, like if my Linksys will work, what settings I need to make. I look at the asked for credentials when creating a VPN account on the phone, and don't see a correlation in the settings of the router. Just never done it, and if possible I'm sure it's not too difficult. Maybe I should be looking at Linksys forums :blink::biggrin:

 

[apaulct]

No, not based on what I have been taught. I used to have a VPN set up on my laptop for work (they set it up) and that is the functionality that I'm trying to accomplish.... if possible. Creating a secure "tunnel" between the phone and my home network. I just don't know if it's possible with my equipment.

A VPN only creates the tunnel, it doesn't allow you to control a remote computer. VNC or RDP will run through a VPN tunnel and do what you want. They are two separate functions but work together.

I assume your work had a VPN created for outside access to the company network. The VPN client on your laptop communicated with a corporate firewall creating the tunnel. Once the tunnel is established, it's like you are inside the company network. You can then use a program like VNC, pcAnywhere, etc to access systems inside the firewall.

I don't think a stock linksys router will handle the home network side of a VPN. You say "VPN passthru", that means it will pass encrypted traffic through the router, not decrypt it. You would need a firewall inside your router then the VPN tunnel would connect from your phone, through the router, to the firewall on the other side. A more than basic understanding of networking is need to set this up.

I don't care what you were taught, this is the way the pieces fit together. I may be a "Droid Newbie" but have more than 15 years experience running an international corporate VPN.

 

[Jim 777]

Didn't mean to offend or question your knowledge, I certainly don't claim to know enough about it to do it myself. Once I get walked through something I can learn it pretty quick, a hands on type person.

You've explained more than my previous boss did when he set up my PC with a VPN (he thinks knowledge that he has and someone else doesn't, is power or impressive), I get the tunnel thing but obviously assumed that was all I needed. In the past, when I signed in to the VPN, I had access to our camera system server for maintenance and updates. I thought is was 'just that easy". But if the router is not able to do what I think I want, it's all pointless at this point.

thanks

 

[apaulct]

^ ^ ^
No problem, Jim. I'm a retired IT/Communications Director & my management style was that of a coach. Knowledge is to be shared. The better my staff, the better I looked.

You can still use VNC to connect to your laptop even if you don't setup a VPN. From inside your network (your home) it works great & you don't need the added security of a VPN. From outside (over the internet) you still have to enter a password to connect. From your phone to your home it should be ok but I wouldn't run a remote banking session from a public network :happy3:

Basic setup:
1. Obtain the WAN IP address from the router and the laptop's ip address.
2, VNC works on port 5800. Go into the Port Forwarding screen of the router and forward port 5800 to the ip address of your laptop.
3. Install a VNC server like the free TightVNC on your laptop.
4. Install a VNC client on your phone from the market, there are a few free ones.
5. If you are running a firewall on the laptop, make sure it will accept incoming packets on port 5800.
6. From inside your home (on same wifi network) just VNC into the laptop's ip address.
7. From outside (3G, 4G, or wifi hotspot) VNC into your WAN ip, the router then forward it to the laptop.

This is the basics, google any topic for more details. HTH, good luck,

 

[SallyC]

Thanks, apaulct!

 

[FoxKat]

Quick, someone get his fingerprints and pin an employee badge on him! LOL!

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk