Can someone explain how fixed IP addresses work please?

[Andy B]

I work for myself. I have (had!) an office where my main work PC was located.

Many years ago I fixed the IP address so I could use the Remote Access facility within Windows XP/Windows 7. It has served me brilliantly over the course of time, allowing me to log into the work PC from anywhere in the world.

I am moving offices and will be sharing an office with a friend. If I plug my PC into his broadband network (or for that matter, anyone elses) will I still be able to log into the PC in the same way as before?

My general PC knowledge is half decent, but when it comes to networks I'm afraid I haven't got it yet!

 

[DJ GSA]

A fixed IP comes from the ISP you are registered with. It would be tied to your broadband box/modem/router

You would need a fixed IP address from the ISP supplying the broadband

Plugging your PC into someone else's broadband wont preserve your IP address as it routes to your box and not his.

If you have a PC plugged into your box/modem/router then you can remote to that box from anywhere in the world.

Hope that makes sense

 

[Andy B]

Yes - that does.

It means I am going to have to completely rethink how I operate and might be forced to consider the dreaded cloud route! The 'My Docs' folder on my PC extends to about 40Gb. Anyone care to pro-offer some thoughts on where to go next?

 

[ianf]

If your mate doesn't have a fixed ip address, all isn't lost.

1. Find out the dhcp range inside his nat translated network. Pick an address that's not in the dhcp range, but is on the same subnet. Set your pc to use that but pick up dns from the router.

2. Register a no-ip.com/org dynamic dns entry, and point it to the outside ip address currently in use by the router.

3. Open up and forward the particular ports needed for remote desktop to the inside fixed ip address.

4. Test by using a pc on the Internet to Rdp to your dyn-dns entry.

You'll need to look up these steps in a bit more detail, but it works once set up.

Be aware it's not uncommon for organisations to block the outbound part from say your office .so test from somewhere like a friends broadband.

 

[wessie]

If you want to keep this static IP then move your business broadband connection to your home address. Keep your main PC connected at home and then log into it from a remote desktop connection at your new office, via a laptop. That way you are not totally reliant on your friend's broadband connection which will mean minimal disruption to your business if he decides to change ISP or cease trading.

As now, you'll be able to log into your home office PC when travelling using hotel wifi or Costa Coffee wifi without needing your friend's router to be turned on.

Personally, I would have a business landline phone at my home address which re-routes to a mobile as well. Having a shared office with a friend may save you cash in the short term but be pragmatic and make sure you can continue trading with minimal disruption should the relationship end due to unforeseen circumstances such as his business becoming non-viable or a landlord refusing to renew a lease.

 

[ianf]

If its more about remote file access, pogo plug can sort that, or a nas+dyn dns entry for it.

 

[Andy B]

If you want to keep this static IP then move your business broadband connection to your home address. Keep your main PC connected at home and then log into it from a remote desktop connection at your new office, via a laptop. That way you are not totally reliant on your friend's broadband connection which will mean minimal disruption to your business if he decides to change ISP or cease trading.

As now, you'll be able to log into your home office PC when travelling using hotel wifi or Costa Coffee wifi without needing your friend's router to be turned on.

Personally, I would have a business landline phone at my home address which re-routes to a mobile as well. Having a shared office with a friend may save you cash in the short term but be pragmatic and make sure you can continue trading with minimal disruption should the relationship end due to unforeseen circumstances such as his business becoming non-viable or a landlord refusing to renew a lease.

This seems to make sense and is well within my capability! I used BT at the office and use them at home.

ianf - thanks for your replies. I need to think a bit harder about this before I decide which way to jump!!

 

[shugie]

Two other ideas which might be useful. Logmein would allow you to run your main PC remotely wherever it is connected, just using a browser. It's not perfect, but it is usable.

As an alternative, Amazon S3 cloud storage is fairly cheap, and not too slow over a decent broadband connection, although uploading 40GB will take a few nights. You can use products like Cloudberry or TNTdrive to access the data remotely, but unlike remote access, you will need your applications on the machine you are using.

 

[alistairl]

If you are using recent versions of Microsoft Windows then look at the remote access part of Windows Live Mesh. Gets you over the hurdle of fixed IP vs NAT etc.

A.

 

[DJ GSA]

you can always try a dns service like http://www.no-ip.com/

the only down side is you have to watch when you ISP refreshes the IP address lease on your router.

this could be days, weeks or months

 

[EPP]

you can always try a dns service like http://www.no-ip.com/

the only down side is you have to watch when you ISP refreshes the IP address lease on your router.

this could be days, weeks or months

That should not be a problem if set up correctly everytime an internet connection is made then the dynamic IP address is updated so effectively the dynamic IP address is tracked. Which is why it works.

 

[Andy B]

Thanks everyone for your comments. I've opted for the easy route - I'm going to set my office PC up at home and fix the IP address here with a new business broadband connection. I can then access it from wherever, and buy some Dropbox space and put 'My Docs' there for ease.

Not very adventurous I know but hopefully it will be manageable within my modest IT capabilities!!

 

[sparkplug]

buy some Dropbox space and put 'My Docs' there for ease.

Depending on how much space you need, you might also want to consider the Kerio Workspace Starter Edition, which is free and gives you 10gb if you register the trial (5 if you don't)

Does all the file synchronisation and a lot more besides - a great little tool for collaborative work as well as just having your personal stuff available remotely. The nice thing is you can keep the two separate (public and private) by setting sharing permissions.

There's a paid version too if you need more space.