Tell me more ×
Super User is a question and answer site for computer enthusiasts and power users. It's 100% free, no registration required.
up vote 1 down vote favorite
1

I want to be able to use Windows Remote Desktop to connect to my "home PC" from my laptop remotely, and then once that connection is established, I want to open a Cisco VPN connection on the "home PC". Is that possible? Or will the process of opening a VPN connection on the "home PC" disrupt my Windows Remote Desktop connection?

If it's relevant, both the laptop and the home PC are windows 7 (Pro and Ultimate, respectively).

For reasons beyond the scope of this question, I cannot just open the Cisco VPN connection on my laptop. It has to do with inane IT policies at my company.

Thanks, any help/advice is much appreciated.

share|improve this question
2  
Whats happens when you try it? – techie007 Sep 3 '12 at 16:47
@Techie007 I don't think he can due to the IT policies at his work. – Dave Rook Sep 4 '12 at 11:10

3 Answers

up vote 1 down vote

You can chain RDP sessions - I've had 3 before and had no problem or lag (albeit through powerful internet lines!). In other words, VPN to one workstation and from there start RDP to connect to a local machine. I've even then opened another RDP session (IT debugging - it made sense at the time).

From memory, I was also using different versions of the OS - I think it was XP, W7 and Server 2008.

share|improve this answer
1  
I've experience with this same technique. Didn't have VPN credentials saved on my phone while I was at a remote location. I VNC'd into home computer, VNC'd into another home computer (one with the VPN credentials saved), made the VPN connection so that I could then VNC into corporate router and setup the VPN tunnel for the location I was physically at. – JoshP Sep 4 '12 at 13:58
I didn't know it could be done via the phone! Thank you for sharing this. +1 – Dave Rook Sep 4 '12 at 13:59
A little tedious controlling all those VNC sessions with an iPhone, but it worked :) – JoshP Sep 4 '12 at 14:01
up vote 0 down vote

Yes you can RDP to your home PC. You would need to forward the necessary ports on your home router/firewall to connect. There are 2, but I cant remember what they are off the top of my head. However, this means your RDP connection would be unencrypted and insecure. You could then launch your VPN client. This may break your RDP session, but you would just have to reconnect and you would be fine.

share|improve this answer
Actually RDP has built-in encryption. – Harry Johnston Sep 3 '12 at 19:57
up vote 0 down vote

Maybe try: http://www.teamviewer.com/ It's the simple solution...

TeamViewer is a proprietary computer software package for remote control, desktop sharing, online meetings, web conferencing and file transfer between computers. The software operates with the Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X, Linux, iOS, and Android operating systems. It is possible to access a machine running TeamViewer with a web browser. While the main focus of the application is remote control of computers, collaboration and presentation features are included.

Other similar programs which currently exist include GoToMyPc, LapLink Everywhere and LogMeIn.

Blurb Source: Wikipedia

share|improve this answer
2  
Could you please add some details about Team Viewer to your post? -- Specifically how it would help solve the problem described in the original post. This will help avoid link rot on the site in the future. Thank you. – Excellll Sep 3 '12 at 20:50
If the teamviewer.com link rots, I'll be very sad :) – JoshP Sep 4 '12 at 13:51

Your Answer

 
discard

By posting your answer, you agree to the privacy policy and terms of service.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.