Not useful for PC access or broader network access unless you’re opening a port for a tool that offers that. Suitable for granting access to a single resource for personal use or for friends and family to enjoy.

Useful for tasks like forwarding internet traffic to a Minecraft server hosted on your PC.

Opening Ports on Your Router: Allows direct access to the individual services you have forwarded the port to.

Not suitable for people you wouldn’t give direct access to your home network.

Local VPN Server: You want to connect a remote computer, phone, or tablet to your local network so that it behaves as if you are right in your home.

Not suitable for people you wouldn’t give direct access to your computer. Good for individual users or family members.

Remote Desktop Software: You want to connect to one or more individual computers as if you are using them directly while away from home.

Here’s a quick summary of each method, followed by a more in-depth look at each. Like many computer-related things, there are many ways to set up remote access to resources on your home network, just like they are many ways to transfer photos from your iPhone to your PC or back up your computer.Įach method offers different benefits and tradeoffs, and you may find yourself only needing one or using all of them differently for different remote access needs. Now that we’ve covered the best practices and how DDNS will make your life easier, it’s time to look at different ways to access your home network. Whatever the reason, you’re out of luck if you don’t haven’t configured your home network for remote access. Without a way to remotely access your network, you’ll be stuck waiting until you get home to grab that audiobook, sync your passwords, or access your Nextcloud notes system. Or maybe you self-host some services like an audio or ebook library, a password manager, or even a personal cloud service, and you want to access them away from home.

Maybe you need some files that are stored only on your desktop computer at home, or you want to interact with your non-cloud connected security camera system as if you’re sitting there on the couch. Let’s say you’re away from home and need access to something on your home network. Why You Might Want to Access Your Home Network Remotelyįollow These Remote Access Best Practicesįirst, Configure a Dynamic DNS (DDNS) Hostįrequently Asked Questions About Home Network Remote Access

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