I have a server environment and many client machines in my network. I want to be able to access all of these machines via a Remote desktop connection (the one built in with server 2003). I have forwarded port 3389 to my server and can access a remote desktop of my server. I want to be able to access any machine in my network using a remote desktop connection. But as the port 3389 has been forwarded to the server IP address only, other machines will not be able to be accessed. I was wondering if on each machine you want to connect to, if you need to change the port it uses and then open that corresponding port on the router (and subsequently the client connecting to it). Can anyone help me with this.

First check Windows Firewall to make sure it is not set to allow no exceptions on any workstations. There should be NO check in the box next to where it says Don't allow exceptions. This is a fairly common problem. Also if you are filtering on your local network then the port you use must be enabled. Same as any other netwok service. If (as example) you want to enable FTP you would need port 21. Changing ports for ftp or any othr service would not help. if the port is blocked the service is in effect disabled for the network.

Without some laborous changing of the registry on each desktop to unique ports and turning your firewall into swiss cheese, you've got two options. #1. Setup VPN access. VPN into the network, and then you can access all the desktops. #2. RDP into the server, then RDP from the server into the desktops while you're RDP'ed into your server. Yes, you can do that. Runs like crap for some apps, but hey. :-) "Republicans in Congress are moving to ratify a constitutional amendment to ban flag burning, thus ending the Iraq insurgency."

Depending on what kind of router you have, you can capture incoming traffic on one port, then forward to the correct workstation on port 3389. The cheap d-link routers allow that. I had it set up one computer was at ipaddress:3389, another at ipaddress:3390, etc. Just specify the port when connecting and you're good to go. Small business server 2003 has built-in capability to remote desktop to any computer on the network by using the remote web workplace. Good luck, -SN