How to settup VPN thru wireless router?

Alright here's the scenario, I want to log onto my desktop computer that's connected through a router to the internet.
Let's say i'm at school or something with my laptop, and need to pull some files off my "shared docs" folder on my home desktop, how would i do this? I did some research on VPN and made it so that my desktop would accept incoming VPN connections... had a friend dial in with my IP address but he couldnt connect. Does it have something to do with the router? How would i set up something like this?

I have a linksys WRT54-G router btw

 

I thought these routers have VPN Passthrough, but I'm interested in this myself...moreso for security reasons if I'm out and about in a WiFi area.

 

I am no expert but my $0.02........

These routers do have VPN and IPSEC passthough. What that means is (best of my knowledge anyway) it will allow you to connect to a VPN server (say at the office). It does not mean you can VPN into your machine.

The WRT54G router does not support incomming VPN tunnel with stock linksys firmware. There are some alternative third party firmware (svesoft I believe) that may allow this. You can go to http://www.dslreports.com/ Forms / Linksys and do some searching there for VPN

Windows XP comes with a remote desktop connection.You can goole WIndows XP Remote Desktop Connection. You may have to alter your firewall and firmware (for example port 3389 has to be open) A good article is http://www.dslwebserver.com/main/fr_index.html?/main/sbs-remote-desktop-overview.html - I have never used it so cannot comment on the complexity / relaibility.

There are various other tools to allow this GoToMyPC / PC Anywhere / etc. Some are one time costs , others are a monthly service fee.

Bottom line is is can be somewhat complex or relativley expensive to do this sort of thing. What are you needs ? Just to retrive some files ? USB Flash Drive / do you have some space on your ISP's web server / Google mail (can store up to 2 gb) / etc.

good luck

 

I use Remote Desktop and have have great luck with it. I just open up the 3389 port on my router, have it forward to the network IP of the computer I want to connect to, set up a Remote Desktop connection pointing to my public IP addy and bingo, I'm in. Works like a charm, and best of all, it's built into the OS. Well, XP Pro OS.

 

Curious MadDog31 with Remote Desktop how do you drag and drop files from Remote desktop to remote client or whatver it is yo need to do to somehow transfer those files ?

 

I typically just restore the window down so both my remote computer and remote desktop are on the monitor at the same time, and then drag and drop. I believe that's how I can do it. I've also been able to copy and paste files from one to the other and also in the options when setting up a Remote Desktop connection, you can check that the remote computer's hard drives are listed in your "My Computer" field so you can easily surf that way. It's essentially like sitting at the computer. I have a 3rd comp I haven't had hooked up to a monitor in months because Remote Desktop is so nice to use.

 

Nice! I'll look into the remote desktop thing. As far as my needs etc, this is just for toying around Yeah a USB drive would be more efficient/hassle-free hehe..