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OrangeJuice
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exsi how to remote access securely

Hi

I'm build a home lab consisting of a router and a server. The plan is to install exsi and a couple of windows servers on top of exsi.

I need to remote into the lab servers from the internet and also remote access to the exsi (to manage).

How can I set this up, I was thinking of vpn for the windows servers but how about the contril of exsi?

Thanks

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BenLiebowitz
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You could RDP into a windows machine in your lab and then manage ESXi from there. 

Either setup a VPN or open a port for RDP through on your router.

Ben Liebowitz, VCP vExpert 2015, 2016, & 2017 If you found my post helpful, please mark it as helpful or answered to award points.

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BenLiebowitz
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You could RDP into a windows machine in your lab and then manage ESXi from there. 

Either setup a VPN or open a port for RDP through on your router.

Ben Liebowitz, VCP vExpert 2015, 2016, & 2017 If you found my post helpful, please mark it as helpful or answered to award points.
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OrangeJuice
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Oh yes, didnt think of installing the exsi client on the server !

'Either setup a VPN or open a port for RDP through on your router. ' 

Is the vpn setup on windows server (sorry havent done this before)? and how is it authenticated?

If I choose to RDP is it safe ?

Thanks

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BenLiebowitz
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is the lab environment at your house or in an office? 

RDP requires opening a port so not the most secure solution, but it's included with Windows and easy to open a port of you're using a basic home router. 

Typically a VPN solution for a home setup would require being setup on your router (if it supports VPN)... 

Ben Liebowitz, VCP vExpert 2015, 2016, & 2017 If you found my post helpful, please mark it as helpful or answered to award points.
OrangeJuice
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Hi

I have a Virginmedia superhub at home. Cant see VPN but it has two options under firewall settings:

IPsec and PPTP both enabled.

Does VPN need a server or can I connect to the router via vpn now?

Thanks

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JarryG
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VPN-server (service) must be running somewhere, i.e. on your router. Then you could use VPN-client to create secure tunnel.

Just be aware of compatibility! There are basically 3 implementations of VPN: SSL, IPsec and PPTP/L2TP. Not all clients/servers combinations are compatible. For example very popular OpenVPN software can use only SSL...

_____________________________________________ If you found my answer useful please do *not* mark it as "correct" or "helpful". It is hard to pretend being noob with all those points! :winking_face:
OrangeJuice
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Hi

So a VPN service needs to be running somewhere.

As an example if my router WAN address is 100.0.0.1 and my internal server address is 50.0.0.1.

If VPN service running on router then will client access all the network?

If VPN service running on server then will client channel through router to server (port forward) - then will vpn access be only to server and not network?

Hope I've made the question clear..

Thanks

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