Hi, A Windows SBS 2003 (SP2) has two network cards, one is configured with non-routable IP (192.168.1.1) and the other one has a public IP 193.x.x.x. By its private/non-routable IP, this machine is completely accessible in the Local Area Network, I can ping it, I can access it from any machine in this LAN by \\192.168.1.1, it displays all the shares (shared folders and printer) it has. I want to do same from a remote location through an Internet connection by its public IP. Now consider this: Outside from this network, any machine connected to Internet can ping it by its public IP (193.x.x.x). So pinging 193.x.x.x returns "Reply from 193.x.x.x: bytes=32 time=618ms TTL=111". But when I access it \\193.x.x.x, it says "The network path was not found" I need to access various services running on it, for example SQL Server. Kindly help Regards

That's not the best way to setup remote access at all. If you can access it like that, so can a lot of other people. I can't count the hard drives I've read using a similar method in the dialup days when file sharing was enabled and port 139 was opened. If you still want to try it, try \\193.x.x.x\c$ Otherwise, use remote desktop for outside access. That's the safer way to do it.

It is a terrible idea to put your server raw on the internet. It should be behind a router/firewall that is configured to only allow those services, like web hosting, to be available. You should also consider creating a vpn to the server for remote access. Just via public ip is asking for hackers, bots, spammers, etc to take control of your server. Example of Oxymoron: Person who is pro life and anti sex education. Education is key to prevention. Prevent conception you prevent abortion. Abstinence training clearly isn't working.

Thanks for the valuable inputs guys, I know it is not advisable to make it accessible for all. I have two things, one I want to access the SQL server running on this machine remotely. The other thing is I wanted to know why it is not accessible by \\PUBLIC_IP, (I'll for sure not go for it and make it available for all sorts of problems.)

I would think the interface was firewalled but usually that would include not returning a ping. If it can be pinged it can be hacked. I would suggest you move quickly to secure your server before its too late. Example of Oxymoron: Person who is pro life and anti sex education. Education is key to prevention. Prevent conception you prevent abortion. Abstinence training clearly isn't working.

Thanks wanderer, I'll do that, let me know how can I access SQL server on this machine remotely