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RDP to Your Server Behind SonicWall or TP-Link Router

You just completed the installation of your new server. You now have a router in place, probably one of Dell’s SonicWall firewall routers or maybe a TP-Link router. But then you realize that you would like to be able to work from your hotel room or from the coffee store in the neighborhood. But how do you get to your server from outside while there is a firewall in the way?

Thankfully, there is a way to do just that. Well, actually a ton of ways, but we are here going to talk about just one of them: Remote Desktop Connection (or Microsoft Remote Desktop if you are working from a Mac), especially, about the setup to be able to use that program.

This tool enables you to take advantage of terminal services on Windows Servers. You will need to setup your modem and then your router to create a path from the outside world to your server.

Finally now, the moment of truth:
1) I do not think I can explain the setup of Remote Desktop Connection or even Microsoft Remote Desktop better than Microsoft themselves: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/connect-using-remote-desktop-connection#connect-using-remote-desktop-connection=windows-7

2) The people at Dell have also explained the setup of the SonicWall better than I ever could this this knowledge base article: https://support.software.dell.com/kb/sw7501

3) Those at TP-Link did their part too: http://www.tp-link.com/en/faq-381.html

So, there you have it. Now you are an expert at how this whole thing works. Don’t thank me if you actually have. Thank the people at Microsoft, Dell, and TP-Link… and the God who created them!

Summary routing from remote desktop to server.
Summary routing from remote desktop to server. Image source: https://support.software.dell.com