Simplest remote access system reddit / selfhosted ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Ear-Right · 2023-12-20 02:28 Hello everyone, I am a graduate student who has 3 computers (home, office and carry- on), and I want a basic but safe and "independent" way of connecting these devices. Basically I would like to be able to connect to my home pc from my carry-on and office pcs, so that I can run things (various python projects) in home pc, or transfer files. Now, when you google this, it says SSH as if it is trivial, but after working an entire day trying to understand it, I got very, very frustrated with how hard it is. I am able to connect my computers using something as Chrome Remote Desktop, but I don't need that much (Though if I can't find anything else I'll go that way). Just CLI access is OK for me. So, could you please suggest me a simple way that I am just remotely able to remotely connect my pcs (pun intended)? If this way is SSH, could you please instruct me how (please do not forget that all my PCs, including the home pc, are in University network. If getting another network makes things trivial, please instruct me so). I just need some help! I am okay for some elbow grease, as I am using Linux myself, but please make it not too sys- adminy. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Bruff_lingel · 2023-12-20 02:31 Google Wireguard or Tail Scale. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Senkyou · 2023-12-20 03:09 Connect all of your devices via Wire guard, OpenVPN, or Tailscale (all of which are incredibly easy to host/setup) then use their VPN IP to connect via SSH. I am open to specific questions if you need any, there are several ways to skin this cat. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- notdoreen · 2023-12-20 03:19 Do you mind explaining how wireguard/OpenVPN differ from Tailscale? I have tried Tailscale before and ended up stopping it because I use a VPN on my phone and Tailscale couldn't be used without turning off the VPN. The VPN is set on Killswitch and it was a pain to turn it off and on every time I wanted to connect to Tailscale. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Ear-Right · 2023-12-20 03:53 Could you please, please direct me to any source that I can dig myself and learn how this is done? I have never used such stuff before although I am using unix for daily computing. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Senkyou · 2023-12-20 03:54 Tailscale is a VPN. It just utilizes split tunneling by default. It uses Wireguard to provide this service. It also uses peer-to-peer connections instead of NATing like other options do by default. OpenVPN is a separate VPN to Wireguard but generally functions the same. It creates a virtual private network that allows your devices to see each other. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- flaming_m0e · 2023-12-20 03:55 > Do you mind explaining how wireguard/OpenVPN differ from Tailscale? With WG or OpenVPN, you need at least one end of the tunnel to be accessible (port forward) and preferably with a domain name, or static IP. Hopefully you're not behind CGNAT. Tailscale doesn't require any of that. It's a framework that will connect you to your devices without port forwards, like if you're on CGNAT. >I have tried Tailscale before and ended up stopping it because I use a VPN on my phone and Tailscale couldn't be used without turning off the VPN. The VPN is set on Killswitch and it was a pain to turn it off and on every time I wanted to connect to Tailscale. WG/OVPN aren't going to help you there. You can't have more than one VPN connection going at a time. Recommendation: ditch the stupid proxy you're using, put that money into a VPS, and host your own, and you can use Tailscale as your sole VPN...or WG/OpenVPN. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Senkyou · 2023-12-20 03:56 Tailscale is very straightforward, I'd say the easiest of any options. You just make an account on their website and then follow their provided instructions to install and run Tailscale depending on your device. Once you have it installed, each device will receive a (private) IP address unique to itself that you can use to connect to from other devices and vice versa. Essentially, once it's on all devices, you can run "ssh [user]@[tailscale-ip]". There is also the option to connect through a Tailscale-native ssh feature, but I've never looked into it. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- PirateParley · 2023-12-20 04:05 OR ZEROTIER ---------------------------------------------------------------------- AltReality · 2023-12-20 04:25 [dwservice.net](https://dwservice.net) It does require negotiation through their website, but it works great. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- xihu0208 · 2023-12-20 06:37 I think what's missing in your post is to calrefiy the specific challenges you're facing.Are you encountering difficulties with SSH, such as not having a public IP, or is your issue more about understanding how SSH operates? Nevertheless, it seems likely that your issue can be addressed through SSH and VPN solutions, using tools like Wireguard. I personally have a preference for Wireguard over Tailscale, as it offers a more straightforward solution. You might consider switching to Tailscale later if you need the p2p capabilities. Begin by renting a VPS and familiarize yourself with it through SSH. You might need a bit knowledge on how to secure your server behind a public IP (Google it). Once you're comfortable with its operations, proceed to install Wireguard on the VPS. Then set it up to enable you to establish a connection among your home devices. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- veyper · 2023-12-20 06:50 +1 to tailscale. It is braindead simple and works like magic (or headscale for open source alternative) ---------------------------------------------------------------------- mickael-kerjean · 2023-12-20 09:15 I made one such tool: https://github.com/mickael-kerjean/webpty I have been playing with the idea to bring tree sitter onto it so as to restrict the actual command one could run via a web terminal, it's nothing else than a proof of concept today but was planning to put it out in the open to get people to attack it and ensure that get away from a tree sitter define chroot mechanism. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Equal_Protection3331 · 2023-12-20 10:11 Try RemotePC. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Footz355 · 2023-12-20 12:37 I have read here on readdit the other day that it's an android thing ( don't know if you use android phone) that you can use only one VPN at a time. I also have to switch between surfshark and zerotier when I use my phone. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- d03j · 2023-12-20 12:47 >Google Wireguard or Tail Scale unless the OP owns it, not sure those will work on the office machine. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- notdoreen · 2023-12-20 13:53 >ditch the stupid proxy you're using ?? ---------------------------------------------------------------------- flaming_m0e · 2023-12-20 14:04 The "VPN" that's really just using VPN technology to connect to a proxy... ---------------------------------------------------------------------- notdoreen · 2023-12-20 14:12 One of my devices uses VPN technology via OpenVPN. Could I in theory also connect to a VPN tunnel via this same connection at the same time? ---------------------------------------------------------------------- flaming_m0e · 2023-12-20 14:17 I don't know if that's possible. I don't use those shitty services because I know how the Internet works. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- meijad · 2023-12-20 14:18 I use tailscales and if I need remote access beyond ssh, NoMachine (https://www.nomachine.com/). ---------------------------------------------------------------------- notdoreen · 2023-12-20 16:41 Congratulations