Small network with remote desktop and fixed IP

I'm using a Windows 2003 server which has been set to provide DHCP and DNS which works well and currently enables local sharing and internet access via a router.

I have a fixed IP address and I have previously used (on another network) remote access by logging in via a fixed IP also. I would like to create the same setup so that I can login remotely. I have fitted a second LAN card for the purpose but don't know what setting to input. Details so far are as follows.

LAN Card 1
Server IP 192.168.1.1
SubNet 255.255.255.0
Gateway 192.168.1.254
Prefered DNS 192.168.1.1

Router DHCP disabled IP address 192.168.1.254

When connected my router status displays
IP Address 212.159.26.21 (Which is my fixed IP ADdress)
Subnet 255.255.255.255
Gateway 195.166.128.64
DNS1 212.159.6.10
DNS2 212.159.6.9

I have tried putting these details in LAN 2 (without making any changes to LAN1) but lose connection

I would certainly apprecieate some advise here people, thanks in advance

G

 

To do what you are trying each PC would need a public rather than a private IP address and each would be exposed to direct attack from the internet. Probably not what you are after as this would be more expensive (ISP accounts that provide multiple IPs are more expensive that standard accounts) as well as being harder to secure.

Simplest solution is to use VPN. Use a router - or better still a hardware firewall - that will act as a VPN end point (not VPN pass-through). If you are on a tight budget something like this will do:

http://www.netgear.com/Products/VPNandSSL/WiredVPNFirewallRouters.aspx

Ideally something like one of there would be great:

http://www.sonicwall.com/us/products/TZ_210.html

http://www.watchguard.com/products/appliances.asp

Then connect to the network via VPN and you'll then be able to access internal private IP addresses for things like RDP just as if you were on the same network as them.

However, this only works if the IP subnet you are connecting to is different from the one you are connecting from. So if your home network also uses the 192.168.1.0 address space, the VPN won't work. To avoid this it might be worth changing your network addresses to a subnet that is less common. Eg. 192.168.200.0.