Hello,

I am new to VPS hosting. However, I am experienced with Remote Desktop Access and Windows Server 2003 etc.

My question is can you remote desktop into a VPS hosted by HostMySite from a computer with a web browser that is behind a corporate firewall?

For example is there a way to use Remote Desktop Access from a web browser like Internet Explorer 7 ?? If so, how big are any browser plugins needed?

Also are any special ports (other than 80 or 443) required?

Thanks for any information,

Potential Customer

Try logging into your windows VPS control panel at:

https://youripaddress:4643/vz/cp

There is a remote desktop functionality in there that lets you remote desktop directly from the web via internet Explorer. This should work for you since it's over port 80

I am not yet a customer of HostMySite so I can not personally test it from behind the corporate firewall.

But this sounds like what I am looking for.

A couple of follow-up questions:

https://youripaddress:4643/vz/cp

The ":4643" specifies that the port 4643 should be used instead of the defaults (in this cae 443 for https, or if un-encrypted is an option, 80 for http).

What I am uncertain of is will desktops behind most corporate firewalls allow traffic out over port 4643? If not, is it possible to configure the control panel to use 80 or 443 (assuming I'm willing to ensure my VPS does not have a web server using these default ports)??

Thanks for any info or ideas of accessing the Control Panel behind corporate firewalls. I don't know if it is or is not actually a problem because I've not tested it myself since I'm not yet a HostMySite customer.

I can't really answer those becuase I'm not sure.

I would give support a call.. 1-877-215-4678. They would be able to answer all of those questions for you. They are very knowledgeable

I gave support a call. They were very knowledgeable and helpful. They gave me a lot of options that would probably work that I could research.

Here's a couple of options I researched:

(1) The free Remote Desktop Web Connection for Windows Server 2003 (by Microsoft)

allows Remote Desktop Access via Internet Explorer. However, the default port for Remote Desktop Access seems to be hard coded in the Active X control used by Internet Explorer (see http://www.pcreview.co.uk/forums/thread-1611215.php ) and can not be changed.

So I do not think using Internet Explorer will solve the firewall issue.

(2) Don't bother with Internet Explorer at all. Just change the port number that Remote Desktop Access uses to whatever port you want. Then remotely reboot your server and reconnect using your desired port using the normal Remote Desktop Access client. See also:
http://www.windowsnetworking.com/kbase/WindowsTips/WindowsXP/AdminTips/Network/ChangingtheRemoteDesktopPort.html
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=326945
http://forums.theplanet.com/index.php?showtopic=66209
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/306759


I think # 2 above is a simple fix to allowing Remote Desktop Access behind corporate firewalls. I'm thinking this will work just fine (though I have not tested it).