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eemmpph

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What additional information should be in the "computer field" of a Remote Desktop Connection, when trying to connect to a specific computer in a 2 location office?

I have 2 remote desktop icons on my desktop named:  Arizona_Office.rdp and Florida_Office.rdp  Both are connected simultaneously.

When I create a 3rd remote desktop icon and the "computer field' is set to 192.168.1.35,
how does Remote Desktop know which office network I am trying to connct to?

In other words:
will it try to connect to computer 192.168.1.35 on the Arizona_Office network
or
will it try to connect to computer 192.168.1.35 on the Florida_Office network?

or
What do I need in the "computer field" that can tell it what network to connect to:
for example:  \\Arizona_Office\192.168.1.35  or \\Florida_Office\192.168.1.35

or
do I forget about using the IP address, and use the computer name and domain name:
\\AccountingPC.Arizona_Office.local or \\AccountingPC.Florida_Office.local
_________________________?

Thank you for your assistance.
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omgang
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192.168.1.x are non-routable IP addresses so either all your computer locations are on the same network, in which case you cannot have two with the same IP address, or you won't be able to RDP to the computers using those IP addresses.
If these were provided by your employer, then you probably have a remote desktop gateway setup that sends your request to the appropriate office.  It likely is unique for each connection (look under "Show options", Advanced, Connect from anywhere.

Note, the fact that the remote networks utilize 192.168.1.x is potentially a HUGE problem for users since many HOME networks use the same space.  The gateway may work around that, but if you were connecting to a VPN it would be a BIG problems.

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eemmpph

ASKER

I connect via a VPN first, before I do the Remote Desktop connection.
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ASKER

do I forget about using the IP address, and use the computer name and domain name:
\\AccountingPC.Arizona_Office.local or \\AccountingPC.Florida_Office.local
ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION
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Lee W, MVP
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If you're connected via VPN, do you use a different VPN connection for Arizona and Florida?  Trying to visualize how this is working for you.
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ASKER

Yes, 2 different networks.
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ASKER

To differentiate between th two networks, would it just simply use the computer name and the specific domain name?
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ASKER

So it would be:

\\AccountingPC.Arizona_Office.local for the office in Arizona

\\AccountingPC.Florida_Office.local for the office in Florida

Does that make sense?
I am going to agree with @Lee W on this and suggest you're best bet is to get ahold of your tech support staff.  But, if you connect to the Arizona network with the Arizona VPN connection then, presumably, there is only one pc on the Arizona network with that IP address.  Per your original question, the RDP connection icon you have saved to your desktop won't know, or care, about whether or not it's connecting to the Arizona or Florida pc, it will simple connect to the pc with that specified IP address.  If you happen to be connected to the Arizona office, via VPN, at the time then RDP will connect to the Arizona pc.  If you're connected to the Florida office, via VPN, at the time then RDP will connect to the Florida pc.  You'd really only need the one RDP connection setup since they both have the same IP address in the Computer name.  Not saying this will work, however, for the reasons indicated by @Lee W previously.
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ASKER

Thank you.