Remote Access to a computer on a NAT network
- Susan Abrams
Introduction
NAT (Network Address Translation) is a method used in networking to map private IP addresses within a local network to a single public IP address before data is transmitted to the internet. This helps conserve the number of public IP addresses and adds a layer of security by hiding internal IP addresses from external networks.
This article provides instructions on how to find the computer name, setup VPN, and remote into macOS or Windows machines.
Note: You can submit a ticket to LAITS to request a NAT address and enable Screen Sharing access for the computer you want to remotely access.
macOS Machine Procedures
Identifying Computer Name
Select the Apple menu icon on the Mac menu bar and select About This Mac.
Apple Support Guide for Menu Bar
What’s in the menu bar on Mac?
From the System Information screen, select System Report.
Your computer name will appear on the bottom left corner of the System Report window.
Note: The FQDN for your computer is [Computer Name]@austin.utexas.edu.
In our example, the FQDN for our machine is LAITS-A12345@austin.utexas.edu
Setting up VPN
Follow the article documenting VPN Set-Up: ITS Documentation for UT VPN
Remote into a macOS Machine
Open Spotlight by selecting the magnifying glass icon on the upper right corer of the Mac menu bar.
Type Screen Sharing into the search bar
To open Screen Sharing, double-click on the its icon from Spotlight. Although this application is somewhat hidden, you can save it for quicker access by right-clicking its icon in the Dock, selecting Options, and then clicking Keep in Dock.
Type your FQDN OR target machine's IP address into the Screen Sharing window and select Connect.
Enter your credentials for the machine to gain remote access.
Windows Machine Procedures
Identifying Computer Name
1. Right click on the Windows icon in the lower left corner of the screen and select Settings.
In the Windows Settings window, select System.
In the Settings window, select System.
From the System settings page, scroll down on the left pane and select Remote Desktop.
On the right pane, your computer name will be listed under “How to connect to this PC.”
Note: The FQDN for your computer is [Computer Name]@austin.utexas.edu. In our example, the FQDN for our machine is LAITS-12345@austin.utexas.edu
Setting up VPN
Follow this article Documenting VPN Set-Up: ITS Documentation for UT VPN
Remote into a Windows Machine
Select the Windows icon and enter Remote Desktop Connection or locate it in the start menu under Windows Accessories.
Open Remote Desktop Connection by double clicking on the its icon.
Type your FQDN into the Remote Desktop Connection window and select Connect.
Remote Desktop Connection will prompt you for your remote machine's credentials, enter them to gain remote access.
