Remote desktop to Windows from a Mac

I have a client who wants to be able to set up a remote desktop solution to his office machine that is running WinXP. The remote client will be a new Mac Air notebook.

Currently the desktop machine is behind a router, but that router could be configured to pass thru specific ports to his desktop, or his desktop could even be placed in a DMZ.

I understand that VNC could be used, provided we get thru the router issues. I assume that the MAC VNC client will talk to a WinXP VNC host.

Would something like LogMeIn work? My understanding there is that the host software is able to deal with the router issue with no need for any reconfig of the router. And I understand that the client side can be ANY web browser on any OS. So the Mac client side is no issue.

Is there any Mac client software that could use the WinXP Remote Desktop host?

Any other possible solutions I am overlooking?

Gary

 

If you check out this link down the bottom is a download link for Microsoft RDC for Mac which will allow it to connect to a Windows PC. Though I wouldn't have a clue how to get it running to access the PC. Someone else might know though.

 

easy way ...... teamviewer.com

 

Thanks! I know who to configure RDC, I use it all the time. I was not aware that there was a MAC client for RDC.

This is why I love NBR so much!!

Gary

 

I was trying to think of alternatives, and remembered I had a list of Mac Software I should get if I got one, and found that one on the list.

I know how to use RDC to an extent, like just connecting locally, but anything past that, and I'll be coming here for help!

 

$749, might be easy but too expensive.

Gary

 

Keep me in mind if you DO need help. I have RDC configured on four machines in my office, three servers and one desktop. I use it daily to access them all from my laptop. The biggest issue is addressability. Behind a router it becomes a problem.

But there are ways around that, depending on how many machines are behind the router.

In my case I have two of the three in a domain and use a VPN to connect to them. The third machine is in a DMZ, so it can easily be reached from the internet. My ISP provides me with up to five IP addreses that are dynamically assigned. But I use a dynamic DNS service (TZO.COM or DynDNS.ORG) to overcome that issue.

Gary

 

Also, don't forget to open port 3389 in the router under "Port Forwarding". Windows uses this port as default for Remote Desktop Connection.

 

More than just opening it, it also needs to be forwarded to the proper target IP address and port. Especially if there is more than one machine on the back side of the router. And if THAT is the case, you probably also need to configure the router and the target machine to assign a fixed TCP/IP address for that machine. Otherwise after the first power failure when the two (or more machines) starting up in a different order and get different IP addresses, the routing is no longer correct.

Sound like I have been there before? Yep, gave me FITS till I realized what had happened.

Gary

 

Log me in Works. i do it all the time !

 

Just want to verify: Mac client to Windows host?

Gary

 

According to logmein.com website, this is possible.
https://secure.logmein.com/US/products/free/

Unfortunately, their download section is not available without registering

Michael

 

Ive only done Mac to Windows, i don't see why it shouldn't work the other way.