Forum FAQ: External users receive the error saying “The remote computer could not be found. Please contact your helpdesk about the error” when they try to establish a remote desktop connection or launch RemoteApp hosted on an internal server.

Symptom

When an external user tries to establish a remote desktop connection or launch RemoteApp hosted on an internal server, the following error is displayed:

The remote computer could not be found. Please contact your helpdesk about the error.

This error occurs when the user is in an extranet or Internet environment. An internal user can access remote desktop connection or launch RemoteApp.

Cause

When establishing a remote desktop connection or launching a RemoteApp hosted on an internal server, the system will connect to the remote server via its internal IP address. As the client is in external site, they cannot access the server via an internal IP address.

Resolution

To enable an external client to connect to an internal server via RDP, you can choose one of the following options:

·         Establish a virtual private network (VPN) connection first and then establish the remote desktop connection to an internal serveer.

·         Use RD Gateway (TS Gateway) role for redirecting the access from extranet user to the target RemoteApp program, which is located in the intranet environment.

Remote Desktop Gateway (RD Gateway) is a role service that enables authorized remote users to connect to resources on an internal corporate or private network, from any Internet-connected device that can run the Remote Desktop Connection (RDC) client. The network resources can be Remote Desktop Session Host (RD Session Host) servers, RD Session Host servers running RemoteApp programs, or computers with Remote Desktop enabled.

More Information

Checklist: Make RemoteApp Programs Available from the Internet
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc772415.aspx

Overview of Remote Desktop Gateway

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc725706.aspx

Applies to