Overview
Virtual TimeClock Pro 5 can
be configured to allow remote clients to connect to a Virtual TimeClock 5
server running at a remote location using the Internet or any other network communications
setup that allows TCP/IP communications. There are two types of Internet connections
available: (1) a dynamic IP Address and (2) a static IP Address connection. A static
IP Address is necessary to access your network from a remote location. Your Internet
service provider can verify or upgrade your Internet service to include a static IP Address.
With a static IP Address
for your Internet connection, you can configure your connection to allow outside communications.
Almost all business networks connected to the Internet have a gateway or router that
allows information to come and go to the Internet while preventing outsiders on the internet
from accessing the local network resources and data. This router/gateway feature is commonly
known as a firewall. Occasionally, an entire computer is dedicated to function as the
router/gateway. Most often the gateway or router is an inexpensive hardware device from
companies such as Cisco, LinkSys, NetGear,
or Netopia.
The key to remote access
is to open a single port on the router/gateway on your server network to allow remote
Virtual TimeClock clients to talk to a Virtual TimeClock server. The remote Virtual TimeClock
client talks to the router using the static IP Address for your router at a designated
port. The router transparently forwards the information to the Virtual TimeClock server.
This type of opening a port on the router is commonly known as ‘port forwarding’.
Once a port on your server's
network router is setup, Virtual TimeClock is installed as normal at the remote location.
After launching the software, ‘Connect To Server’ is selected from the File
menu like a regular Virtual TimeClock client. The Virtual TimeClock client will not automatically
be able to find the remote server so the remote static IP Address and opened port number
is manually entered and the Connect button pressed. The Virtual TimeClock client establishes
communications with the remote router at the IP Address provided. The router automatically
forwards all communications to the Virtual TimeClock server. All of the connection and
data transmission between the TimeClock client and server is then fully automatic and
transparent to the user.
The following instructions
explain how to setup Virtual TimeClock Pro 5 for remote access using a common hardware
router. If you need additional help setting up the port forwarding on your router, consult
your router’s manual. If you do not have a manual, go to your router manufacturer's
web site and download a manual and/or perform a search for ‘port forwarding’ instructions
for your router.
Server Location Setup
-
Select 'Server' from
the Administration menu on your running Virtual TimeClock server and verify the TimeClock
Mode status is set to 'TimeClock Server'. Note the server IP Address and port in
use by Virtual TimeClock on your network. The IP Address is the server computer's designated
IP
Address. The port used by the program is assigned by Virtual TimeClock using a default
of 56777.
-
Nearly all modern routers/gateways
are configured by entering the router's IP Address into the web browser of a computer
on the local network. Open your router’s configuration window and note the
WAN IP Address (this is the static IP Address assigned to you by your internet service
provider).
-
Once you have connected
to your router’s configuration window, there will be a tab or location to configure ‘forwarding’.
For example, in LinkSys brand routers, the ‘Forwarding’ tab
is found after selecting the 'Advanced' tab.
Locate the forwarding
section of your router configuration and set up a new forward as follows:
A. Select 'TCP' for the
protocol.
B. For the external (or
'from') port , enter any unused port number (for example, you can use 1234).
C. For the internal
(or 'to') port, enter the Virtual TimeClock server port number noted in #1 above.
D. For the IP Address,
enter the Virtual TimeClock server IP Address noted in #1 above.
E. Press the Save/Update
button to save the settings and activate the port forward.
-
At the remote location
you will need to know two pieces of information about your server network:
Remote
Location Setup
-
Install Virtual TimeClock
at the remote location. The latest Virtual TimeClock release is always available
from the Redcort Software web site at http://redcort.com/download.html.
-
Launch Virtual TimeClock
and select ‘Connect To Server’ from the File menu.
-
Virtual TimeClock will
not automatically find the remote server since it is not on the local network. Enter
the WAN IP Address in the Server Address field and the external port number you created
in your router at the server location (see #4 in the Server Location Setup above).
-
Press the Connect button.
Virtual TimeClock will talk to your router at the server location. The router will
use the port forward information to forward all communication through the router to
the Virtual TimeClock server.
Virtual TimeClock will save
the last successful connection information when quitting the program. Virtual TimeClock
will attempt to reconnect to the saved remote server using this saved information at
the next program launch. If the client connection is changed, repeat steps 1-4 above
to reconnect to the remote TimeClock server.
About Redcort Software
Redcort Software has been
helping free businesses from the unproductive cycle of repetitive tasks and unavailable
information since 1997. Redcort Software actively pursues a close relationship with their
customers through direct sales, feedback and technical support. Thousands of workers
in over a dozen countries worldwide rely on Redcort Software’s Virtual TimeClock
Professional every day.
Contact Information
Technical
Support
Redcort Software
8939 N. Chestnut Avenue #106
Fresno, California 93720
(559) 434-8544
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