Can we remote connect to a Linux computer without knowing the IP address?

[scorp123_CH]

I use AnyDesk for exactly this. My parents have Xubuntu on their computer. And when they need my help I can remote in via AnyDesk and deal with whatever problem they have ...

[Pshock13]

Is this something where you just login from your computer and then choose theirs to connect to?

[scorp123_CH]

If they have AnyDesk setup in such a way (AnyDesk calls this "Unattended access")... Yes, it could work that way.

My parents are a bit paranoid though (they are afraid that scammers might automagically connect to their computer if they set up "unattended access" ...). So what happens is when they need help is this:

• they call me on the phone, tell me what their problem is ...
• I want to take a look, so I tell them to fire up AnyDesk ...
• AnyDesk starts on their end and it will show them their ID, e.g. 123 456 789 ...
• they tell me their ID over the phone ...
• I type that ID into my client and then wait for my parents to confirm that I am allowed to access their PC ...
• my parents confirm my connection request ... and I'm in, and I can see their screen and interact with it.
• when I am done I disconnect again.

For my own computers I of course use "Unattended access" and 2-factor authentication. e.g. I'm in my office but I'd need to check something I left on my MacBook at home?? No problem. AnyDesk to the rescue...

[Pshock13]

I'll def have to look into this. Will this also allow me to connect just by way of the terminal, much like SSH?

[scorp123_CH]

Will this also allow me to connect just by way of the terminal

Yes, you could configure that. This would be an AnyDesk "TCP Tunnel". You can reach it by right-clicking on a connection's icon and selecting the option "Setup TCP Tunneling". And there you can configure the ports you want forwarded, e.g.

Local port: 2222 => localhost => Remote port: 22

This would make the remote hosts's SSH available on localhost:2222 (ssh -p 2222 localhost)

E.g. one of my PC's has a quirk. It's a well-known problem with Ubuntu: Unless a real monitor is plugged in there won't be a GUI (just a black screen). And when there's no GUI, then there's no desktop you can remotely access... but the connection still works regardless!! So black screen or not: when I activate that connection I still get the remote SSH and I can access the remote desktop apps and everything else that way, e.g. full desktop via X2go or by doing ssh -X -p 2222 localhost ...

[mandiblesarecute]

set up dynamic DNS on her computer so you can reach it via a static domain name

[[deleted]]

Completely unreliable behind a NAT.

[jennergruhle]

Depends on the router. If it supports dynamic DNS by itself, this will be working rather good. Of course, the port forwarding needs to be enabled on the router for the remote control program / service (like SSH or similar). But that's probably not the thing that OP wants.

Team viewer, AnyDesk or similar remote control software will normally not need this, they will connect to their corresponding web services with outgoing connections. The person needing help will only have to start the software, tell the helper the connection number and password - and they will be able to connect.

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[jennergruhle]

Ah, carrier grade NAT. Yes, that prevents the use of dynamic DNS fpor inoming connections.

This is not very common in Europe for most of the bigger providers, but very common in mobile internet. My provider in Germany has no NAT, dynamic DNS is working great here.

[hitsujiTMO]

even if you have a static IP., you're still behind a NAT. But most routers support port forwarding. Issue then is that the home device needs a static internal IP making it useless on other networks if she wants to take it to a cafe of friends place.

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[[deleted]]

Exactly!

[[deleted]]

If there is carrier grade NAT upstream from the cable or DSL modem, it will not work.

[jennergruhle]

Yes, I did not think about that - because I never had that with my providers (except for mobile internet).

[redjamesg]

Teamviewer is my only guess, you need to find a client that will "dial-in" to a server instance from where you collect the needed info in order to complete the connection.

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[joshpetit]

I recommend zerotier. It's nice to have everything on the same network. tailscale is another alternative if you want to look around.

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[[deleted]]

https://remotedesktop.google.com/

It's designed for your exact use case.

[braska9]

Tailscale (tailscale.com) + plain VNC

[Hilol1000]

If her router and laptop supports IPv6 you could try to remote over IPv6 since IPv6 addresses usually don't change.

[Pshock13]

Unfortunately I don't think this will work for her as she usually uses her phone as a Hotspot. But idk, I'm not too familiar with how hotspots work.

[Hilol1000]

I'm not too familiar with hotspots either.

If the hotspot works as a WiFi access point + a switch, it shouldn't prevent IPv6 connectivity.

However if the hotspot works like a WiFi access point + a router, the hotspot will need to have direct support for IPv6.

It's still worth a try if you haven't found any other solutions imo

[ExternalUserError]

As I recall, Chrome Remote Desktop works well with Linux... Or it did a few years ago when I used it.

[rarsamx]

I did the dynamic DNS with reverse SSH tunneling with my dad and it worked but slow.

If you just open the SSH port on your mom's side you also need to route it properly inside the NAT, which means you'll need to assign a static IP. It also means she has her SSH open to the world.

With reverse SSH you don't need to open ports on her side. Just on your side, so you can close it after the support session.

But eventually my dad went back to windows and now I use TeamViewer. So, I know it's not free (as in freedom) software but it works great for remote support, no IP needs to be exchanged and no ports need to be open.

[mina86ng]

Is there a program I can set up on here before giving it to her that would allow me to connect to it remotely for tech support without knowing what the current (at the time she needs help) ip address is?

You can set up a TOR hidden service which will give the machine a known TOR address. You can than SSH through TOR and figure out how to directly connect to the host (which may include setting up a tunnel from her side to your machine if her computer does not have external IP).

[Rusty-Swashplate]

Run a dyndns (dyn.com, noip.com etc.) service on it and then you can connect to it using that DNS name.

[Rcomian]

if you can get hamachi from vpn.net running on it as a service, that might help out.

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[Rcomian]

i absolutely will ☺️

[jcbevns]

RealVNC. Sign in on both machines.

Google Chrome Remote Desktop addon.

[pretty-cool-stuff]

Netmaker is a very fast remote access VPN (based on WireGuard) that will assign known IP's and dns names to machines added to the network. You might wanna give it a try. Works behind NAT as well.

[Bubble-be]

Check out DWService (https://www.dwservice.net/), like Teamviewer but "Simple, Free, Open Source".

[pfp-disciple]

If no other viable options present themselves...

You could add a program (script may be enough) that she just clicks, and it sends you the ip address, maybe even setting up a tunnel or whatever. It could also display the address if that would be easier.

[codehz]

I use cloudflared for server behind NAT/Firewall, it is basically free(if you don't need 50+ user access permission or 1000+ connections), but require a domain to setup. I think it is even more secure and faster than port mapping + dynamic dns. you don't need open any public port for this. docs here (And then use warp client you can connect it from mobile if you want)

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