Remote Access via Local network

C

chromatic108

New Member
Hello,

I've got a strange situation that I'm trying to create. I have a computer up in a loft area that I want to remote access to from below. I do not have internet connection or any wireless for this desktop computer. I can set up a router next to it and create a local network. I would access it from my phone, which has internet access and would presumably be able to connect to the local network.

Is there any software that would allow me to remote in this way – without internet access on the desktop?

The desktop is a mac computer.

Any direction would be greatly appreciated.
 
I'm a bit confused by what you're trying to accomplish...

1.) You want to remotely access a computer without a network connection.

2.) You want to access the same computer remotely via your phone.

3.) You want to setup a LAN within your house.

Is that all correct? If so, I see a few problems...

1.) In order to access a computer remotely, you will need some sort of network connection. Unless you're going to use another method (Bluetooth for example) there's no other way I can think of to accomplish your task. The computer you want to access will also need some sort of remote access application (RDC/RDP, ARD, Logmein, etc). All of these require a network connection. RDC/RDP is a Windows protocol and ARD is an Apple protocol. Macs can download RDC from Microsoft for free and remote into a Windows box. However, you cannot use RDC to remote in via ARD, or vice versa.

2.) and 3.) Accessing a remote computer via your phone will require outside network/internet access unless the phone uses the LAN wifi connection (which you stated you don't have currently). The reason is because the phone's internet access IP address (3G, 4G, etc) will be different than your LAN setup (it's complicated to explain because of NAT, the ISP, etc, etc). So unless you setup a wireless router on a LAN, and only want to access the computer on the LAN, then it might be rather difficult (read impossible lol) to do.

Does that all make sense? :)
 
So unless you setup a wireless router on a LAN, and only want to access the computer on the LAN, then it might be rather difficult (read impossible lol) to do.
Click to expand...

So it is possible.

Let me go into greater detail about my situation. I play music for my church. The mixer is down in the choir area of course, but doesn't have a line out for recording. The amps (and other equipment) are upstairs, which is where we have a CD recorder hooked up to record each service. The CD only records 80 minutes, so I wanted to be able to record longer (for Christmas, etc). That's why I want to use a computer.

Also, a lot of times the people who start the recording forget to do it, so I wanted to make sure I could start it from down in the main area.

There is not a wireless router sending a signal out, so I can't connect the computer to internet. I do have a wireless router that I can bring and connect to the computer and setup a wireless network. This would only be a local network of course, but that is all I need.

So my questions are:

1. Is there a way (an app maybe) to enable a phone to connect to a LAN?
2. Once connected, is there software that does not require you to connect to the internet and funnel your connection through their site? I need something that can be installed and used locally since I don't have internet access.
3. Pck21 mentioned bluetooth. Is this a better solution? Can you remote in on a bluetooth connection?
 
If your phone has wifi capability, then you should be able to access the computer that way, though I am not certain of the apps or protocols you would need.

Bluetooth might work, if you are within say 30 feet of the computer (which would have to have a compatible BT transceiver), but then you are almost there anyway, no?
 
chromatic108 said:
So it is possible.

Let me go into greater detail about my situation. I play music for my church. The mixer is down in the choir area of course, but doesn't have a line out for recording. The amps (and other equipment) are upstairs, which is where we have a CD recorder hooked up to record each service. The CD only records 80 minutes, so I wanted to be able to record longer (for Christmas, etc). That's why I want to use a computer.

Also, a lot of times the people who start the recording forget to do it, so I wanted to make sure I could start it from down in the main area.

There is not a wireless router sending a signal out, so I can't connect the computer to internet. I do have a wireless router that I can bring and connect to the computer and setup a wireless network. This would only be a local network of course, but that is all I need.

So my questions are:

1. Is there a way (an app maybe) to enable a phone to connect to a LAN?
2. Once connected, is there software that does not require you to connect to the internet and funnel your connection through their site? I need something that can be installed and used locally since I don't have internet access.
3. Pck21 mentioned bluetooth. Is this a better solution? Can you remote in on a bluetooth connection?
Click to expand...

Whew that's a doozy lol! Let me see if I can work this out...

What it sounds like you need is a wireless LAN without internet access. You should (being the operative word here) be able to accomplish that by getting a wireless router (configuring it correctly of course by way of a config page) to be used as a local access point.

To answer your questions:

1.) You can connect to the LAN via Wifi (which I verified your phone has using the website you provided). You need to find the Wifi option in your phone (usually buried in the Settings somewhere) and turn it on. Once you do, it should ask if you want to connect to networks around you. If you setup your wireless LAN correctly, you should see the name of your network (SSID), and be able to connect to it. Be sure to password protect it for security.

2.) By way of Wifi, you should be connected to your network at this point. Your question, I believe, deals with connecting to the computer itself via your phone. This is where it gets tricky. Because you're on the same network via Wifi, you should be able to access the computer with an app on the Android (which your phone runs) Market. However, I don't know if there's a compatible app that will work for you because I don't have your phone in front of me lol. If the computer you're connecting to is a Windows machine, look for an RDP app. If it's an Apple, it might be a bit trickier. Once the RDP app is installed and working, you need to enable Remote Assistance for all users on the computer, and then type in the IP address of the computer into the RDP app on your phone.

3.) At this point, Bluetooth would be a last resort. You would need to tether the phone to the computer in order to get it on the internet, and have access to it (I think). Then again Bluetooth only goes between 20 and 30 feet (maybe less) depending on how much interference is around. But, that's neither here nor there.

Hope this helps!
 
Yes, this helps a lot. I think I now have enough information to get what I need and try it out. I will let you know how it goes and go into specifics in case anyone else should ever find themselves in a similar situation (it may take some time, so be patient).

Bluetooth would not work for me as I am more than 30' away from the computer.

Again thanks for the generous help!
 
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