Issue
Why Vista Workstation Remote is not supported for Internet Use
Environment
Vista Servers not in the same network
Cause
Technically Vista Workstation Remote can communicate to a Vista Server over the internet but this is not a supported practice due to the network requirements for the Vista Server.
Resolution
- The Vista Server must be on a PC that is not behind a firewall which utilizes address translation. The IP address of the computer must be the same IP address that Vista Workstation Remote will use to communicate with it.
- Due to the nature of DCOM (Distributed Common Object Model) which is used by Vista Workstation Remote many ports would have to be left open on the PC and the network firewalls. Vista Workstation Remote connects to DCOM's Service Control Manager (SCM) on port 135 which will dynamically assign a port for the programs to communicate on. Since this requires ports 135 and the entire range of ports that the SCM utilizes to be open on the PC and the firewalls the risk to the network is significant.
- Most IT departments will not be willing to leave their network so open and exposed. Therefore, Vista Workstation Remote is not supported for Internet use. To use Vista over the internet please look into a web server (Xenta 511/527) or Vista Webstation.