How to connect to a dynamic IP address from a static IP?

Question

I am trying to set up a distributed network, over the Internet, consisting of one server, with a static IP address, which will deal with all external connections, and two client PCs, at different locations, connecting to the Internet via dynamic IP addresses.

How do I connect reliably to the client PCs, from the server? I am unaware how often the dynamic address renews itself, and if possible, would rather not have to deal with things this low level. Is it possible to have some sort of script, on either the client PCs, the server, or both, to detect the IP address at run time and update the server configuration for that particular session?

Answer 1

your thinking about this way to hard. It's a lot simpler than you think.



the question is how are you going to make the connection?

There's a couple of ways.

You could use vpn, or something like citrix.



Personally vpn will be easier to set up, and also free. Something like citrix has interesting features, but they won't be a good match for you.So the server will sit statically, and the clients will connect via vpn. Once the tunnel is established, they can share resources.





how does one set up a vpn.

The easiest way to do it, since your very familar with linus. Use clearos http://www.clearfoundation.com/Software/overview.html



Just build a clearos box, put 2 network cards into the box, and use it in gateway mode. It comes with different vpn modules, i perfer to use SSL, but pptp or ipsec works as well.

You should be able to scale the vpn connections up to a certain points (100+), before you run out of resources, and need special hardware to scale further.

Answer 2

Holy crap dude, your're messing with three different distros and you don't know networking? Good luck with that. This is going to be a learning experience for ya.

Answer 3

That is NOT the way you do it. The whole idea of a server is that the client machines attach to the server. NOT the other way round.

Answer 4

Is it possible to have the PCs connect to the server? Not sure what application or service you are providing, so I can't really give you specific advice.



You could try DynDNS on the PCs, which would allow them to have an FQDN that would be updated when/if the IP changes.



Really, without knowing what you are trying to do I can't really offer the best solution.