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[XMIinc]

Currently I'm using my 655 without WEP/WPA/etc with just a MAC acl (i know, i know, I'm just asking for trouble), originally intended for LAN use only (for ~6 concurrent connections at any given time).  Everything works great right now.  But I recognize the need for a better approach AND I want to allow WAN connections.  What's the best approach?  Should I 1) dump the current setup altogether and employ the wizards to guide me through a new, more standard, setup?  2) can I keep the MAC-acl thing and add security along with WAN access?  3) What's the best way to implement WAN access?  I've made a few half-hearted attempts but I don't even get a login/pwd screen.  Admittedly, I've got a bit of a mental-block on this right now and I need to someone to nudge me in the right direction/remind me of some of the networking-prerequisites for doing what I want to do....tia, Tom

Additional info: Computer is wired to the 655, all other connections (including an Apple TV streaming video) are wireless...

[thecreator]

Hi xmiinc,

Are you talking Wan to Lan Connections to the Router?

The only Wan Connection to the Router, is the Connection coming from the Cable or DSL or Fios Modem. That plugs directly into the WAN Port of the Router.

How are you changing your Setup?

[XMIinc]

Thanks, thecreator...
Apologies if my terminology is incorrect.  I meant to describe the distinction between being 'behind the router' (LAN) and 'outside the router' (ie WAN) and wanting the ability to login for volume/directory access to the network.

My problem right now is I can't access my LAN from outside the network (ie WAN-side).  I don't even get a login screen to the wifi.  Ideally, I'd like to simply declare a non-MAC-address user that can login remotely and access the LAN, but its not clear to me how to do that with my current MAC acl-type setup (what I currently use to allow wifi access to the internet and LAN)

As for *how* I'm changing my setup...that's what I attempted to describe in my first sentences: I want to go from a MAC acl-type setup to something more flexible (and secure).  

My basic question is, can I layer security on top of my existing list of MAC-allowed connections AND provide outside-access to my network (and if so, how do I implement that access?)  Or should I simply start from scratch, perhaps using the wizards to guide me through a new setup?

I am admittedly not sure I even know how to ask the right questions in the right manner to get to where I want to get, which is to allow current traffic continued access while implementing reliable and robust remote access to the LAN.  Do I start from scratch, or can I do things on top of what I already have?

I'm hoping to do this without spending days troubleshooting a new setup, which is way I'm asking for advice on the best approach...if there is any 'best approach'?

[thecreator]

Hi xmiinc,

You want to log into your Computer from the Outside? Just use LogMeIn.

https://secure.logmein.com/?lang=en

You can do what you want, by using LogMeIn.

[Sammydad1]

XMI....

Are you saying that you want to allow access from the Internet (in general) or from say your work PC at another location (as an example ?)

My point is this: You seem concerned about wireless security but want to allow Internet/WAN access to your LAN ?  Those can be very conflictory issues.

You should run WPA or WPA2 for wireless security and maximum wireless speeds (refer to stickie about 300 Mbps connections)....  MAC authentication is better than nothing if your neighbors are non-tech smart, but it does nothing to encrypt your signals flowing thru the air if somebody wants to read your stuff...

SD1

[XMIinc]

To Sammydad1...right, I'm aware that MAC-authentication is...ahem...less than ideal.  And no, I'm not interested in public access to my network, but in authenticated remote-access from another location/computer.  I'm less worried about someone 'reading my mail' than I am about bandwidth-hogging by freeloaders (though in principal I'm advocate of wifi public access)  My original reasons for going naked had to do with inconsistent connection issues with some old wifi-nics using WEP/WPA in years past (and with a different wifi router) that were solved by not using encryption.  That being said, I'm willing to give WPA2 a whirl as I've been hearing good things about it, so I take your point.  Thanks!

To thecreator...thank you again for responding...interesting product suite they have, but I'm not yet at the point that I'm willing to pay a fee for remote-access to my own network.  Especially when I know that I can achieve the same with a bit of savvy.  What I ultimately want to be able to DO remotely is stream media (music, and maybe even video).  I know that streaming mp3s via iTunes is do-able, but first I need to be able to get past my router in order to begin config'ing that solution.  Baby steps before walking, and all that!

Weird isn't it, that I should be worried about unauthorized access to my network, while I, the admin, can't even find the doorknob!!

[thecreator]

To thecreator...thank you again for responding...interesting product suite they have, but I'm not yet at the point that I'm willing to pay a fee for remote-access to my own network.  Especially when I know that I can achieve the same with a bit of savvy.  What I ultimately want to be able to DO remotely is stream media (music, and maybe even video).  I know that streaming mp3s via iTunes is do-able, but first I need to be able to get past my router in order to begin config'ing that solution.  Baby steps before walking, and all that!

Weird isn't it, that I should be worried about unauthorized access to my network, while I, the admin, can't even find the doorknob!!

Hi xmiinc,

LogMeIn Free is completely free to use. It does not cost a dime.

Why not start from scratch? Redo everything from scratch and start by Encryption of your Wireless Network. WPA2 Only! Encryption allows for GB Speed of 300 Mbps in an ideal setting.

[XMIinc]

...but only if all I want to do is remote access my desktop.  While that IS useful, I've been using the term in the more ecumenical 'outside-my-network' sense.  (I thought 'WAN' covered that nicely but a previous response seemed to raise an issue with that terminology)  All I'm expecting is to be able to mount my NAS smb volume/directory on a remote computer for file access, not controlling the computer itself.  At some point i'll be running an itunes server if not also some other streaming service, but I figured "let me just get to the login screen first".  I hadn't thought I needed access as in the ARA-sense of remote access, which seems to be what LogMeInFree is all about.  Might be good for admin, but I'd have to pay for file access.

So yeh, maybe I just need to start from scratch and assign ip's by known users rather than known MAC-address.  Thanks for the advice!  Tom

[thecreator]

...but only if all I want to do is remote access my desktop.  While that IS useful, I've been using the term in the more ecumenical 'outside-my-network' sense.  (I thought 'WAN' covered that nicely but a previous response seemed to raise an issue with that terminology)  All I'm expecting is to be able to mount my NAS smb volume/directory on a remote computer for file access, not controlling the computer itself.  At some point i'll be running an itunes server if not also some other streaming service, but I figured "let me just get to the login screen first".  I hadn't thought I needed access as in the ARA-sense of remote access, which seems to be what LogMeInFree is all about.  Might be good for admin, but I'd have to pay for file access.

So yeh, maybe I just need to start from scratch and assign ip's by known users rather than known MAC-address.  Thanks for the advice!  Tom

Hi Tom,

Are you then referring to the NAS - D-Link DNS-323 Storage Unit with a Built-in FTP File Server? It plugs into the Router, not a Computer.

[XMIinc]

Um...nope.  I'm rockin an LG N4B1 (as my profile-footer indicates) ^_^  And yes, it is connected to the router, and does have an ftp-server...

[thecreator]

Um...nope.  I'm rockin an LG N4B1 (as my profile-footer indicates) ^_^  And yes, it is connected to the router, and does have an ftp-server...

Hi Tom,

This is how the D-Link DNS-323 FTP Server is set up in DIR-655 Router:

ftp://71.166.53.17/D-LINK%20SYSTEMS,%20INC.%20_%20WIRE...pdf

[XMIinc]

Are you talking about virtual servers (in the DIR-655)?  I've never seen them referred to as products like the DNS-323.  But funny you should post this, I just spent the last 90 minutes discovering the rather good DIR-655 FAQ pages http://www.dlink.com/products/?pid=DIR-655&tab=3, where things were made much clearer about how to implement the things I'm looking to do...

I do thank you for posting this info...very helpful as well!  Tom

[thecreator]

Are you talking about virtual servers (in the DIR-655)?  I've never seen them referred to as products like the DNS-323.  But funny you should post this, I just spent the last 90 minutes discovering the rather good DIR-655 FAQ pages http://www.dlink.com/products/?pid=DIR-655&tab=3, where things were made much clearer about how to implement the things I'm looking to do...

I do thank you for posting this info...very helpful as well!  Tom

Hi Tom,

The DNS-323 2-Bay Network Storage Enclosure from D-Link contains the FTP Server. The D-Link DIR-655 does not, but works with the DNS-323 Unit.

The purpose of the PDF File, was to show you, how I configured my DNS-323 to work with the DIR-655 as a Virtual Server for my DNS-323 Unit.

Are you Cable, FIOS or another connection to the Internet?

If setting up an iTunes Server, you need to log into the LG N4B1 unit and configure it to allow access to certain folders.

[XMIinc]

Hey thecreator,
I'm connected via cable...believe it or not, I actually have more info about how to make iTunes accessible over ip than I knew how to config the 655! ^_^  Between your pdf and the faq pages, I should be able to get things rolling.  Tom

(and to think I was Network+ cert'd 7 years ago...man, its all coming back to me now)

[BrownBullhead]

As far as remote access to files, Orb MyCast is essentially a PnP media server that you can access via a web browser from any internet PC in the world.  You visit https://mycast.orb.com/orb/html/login.html, log in to the web site (using a user account you setup when installing the software on your PC), and the web site pulls the files from your PC and then broadcasts it to wherever you are.  You can even allow other people read credentials to your shared files.  As a bonus, the software can also stream on LAN to PS3 and XBox360.  I think they are expanding it soon to allow document type files to be accessed, not just multimedia.

And similar to LogMeIn recommended above, I would use TeamViewer myself.  It can be setup with user and password, and no need to recall your IP.  The network connections itself similar to Orb, with the TV server acting as a go-between.  This software allows full access as if you were sitting at your PC.