{"id":727,"date":"2014-02-27T08:57:23","date_gmt":"2014-02-27T08:57:23","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/cybercom-software.com\/blog\/?p=727"},"modified":"2014-03-04T23:11:50","modified_gmt":"2014-03-04T23:11:50","slug":"can-i-access-phonepad-remotely","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cybercom-software.com\/blog\/can-i-access-phonepad-remotely\/","title":{"rendered":"Can I Access PhonePad Remotely?"},"content":{"rendered":"

We often get asked if it’s possible to access PhonePad remotely over the Internet.\u00c2\u00a0 The answer is “Yes, but….”.<\/p>\n

PhonePad has remote access built in.\u00c2\u00a0 It provides both ends of the solution: PhonePad running on the remote PC and PhonePad Server running on your network server or Host PC.\u00c2\u00a0 It’s the bit in the middle where things get a bit complicated.\u00c2\u00a0 You know, that Internet thing.<\/p>\n

PhonePad will work quite happily remotely as long as you get the middle bit sorted out.<\/p>\n

\"Remote<\/a><\/p>\n

Before we get started, now would be a good time to point out some alternatives.\u00c2\u00a0 Services like GoToMyPC<\/a>, LogMeIn<\/a>, and TeamViewer<\/a> can be an easier way of doing this, and some even have a free version for private use.<\/p>\n

Here are the bits in between, represented by the Internet cloud in the above diagram.<\/p>\n

\"Remote<\/a><\/p>\n

The tricky part is connecting the remote PC to the PhonePad Server application running on your server or Host PC.\u00c2\u00a0 It has to go through your ISP’s server, your router and your firewall.<\/p>\n

Your server or Host PC’s IP Address is local to your network.\u00c2\u00a0 There’s no point configuring PhonePad with this IP Address as it’s not accessible outside of your network.<\/p>\n

An IP Address will be automatically assigned to your router<\/em> by your ISP (Internet Service Provider).\u00c2\u00a0 PhonePad can use that IP Address to connect to your router.<\/p>\n

But that’s not all.<\/p>\n

Your router needs to be configured to forward the connection to your Server or Host PC’s IP Address, using Port Forwarding via ports 12005<\/em> and 12006<\/em>.\u00c2\u00a0 These ports may also need to be opened on any firewalls that you have on your network, and also in any security software you use.<\/p>\n

The method for configuring Port Forwarding on your router will vary between manufacturers, and even between models for the same manufacturer.\u00c2\u00a0 You can find out information on port forwarding in your router manual.\u00c2\u00a0 There is also extensive information available here: www.portforward.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n

But there’s a trap for young players.\u00c2\u00a0 The external IP Address assigned by your ISP can change.\u00c2\u00a0 When this changes then PhonePad in the remote location will no longer be able to access the PhonePad Server over the Internet.<\/p>\n

You can get around this by using a Dynamic DNS service like DynDNS (www.dyndns.com<\/a>).\u00c2\u00a0 With DynDNS you will need to open an account, which currently costs around $30 per year.\u00c2\u00a0 Once you have an account you can create a DNS alias, which you will use instead of an IP Address.<\/p>\n

You also need to download a small program (available from DynDNS) to your Server or Host PC.\u00c2\u00a0 This app continually updates the DNS service with the IP Address assigned by your ISP, so if it changes the DNS service will know what it is.<\/p>\n

Instead of connecting to an IP Address, PhonePad on your remote system will connect via the DNS alias you created, enabling it to connect to your PhonePad Server no matter what the IP Address changes to.<\/p>\n

\"Remote<\/a><\/p>\n

Please note that all of these elements have to be in place.\u00c2\u00a0 You can’t skip anything and expect it to work.<\/p>\n

To sum it up, here is what needs to be done:<\/p>\n