Remote Desktop Access enables remote web access to the desktop of a PC running Windows XP Professional. The normal case is that personal computers are connected on the LAN-side of a NAT router that in turn is connected to a broadband service providing a dynamic public IP address. The fact that the public IP address is dynamic and subject to change at any time makes it impractical to access the desktop remotely.

It is becoming more common for individuals and small businesses to access computers remotely. There are a number of commercial services that offer specialized remote access software. The advantage of Gatespace Remote Desktop Access is that no software is added to either computer.

Remote Desktop Access is a convenient solution requiring no special software to be installed on either computer. Part of the solution resides in the CPE (gateway) and part in a server operated by the service provider.

Remote Desktop Access is installed in the CPE (gateway) to register the public IP address of the CPE with the server component on startup and then every time a change of public IP address occurs. This component also sets port forwarding rules in response to simple pull-down menu selections made by the end user. These rules allow one or more computer on the LAN-side of the CPE (gateway) to be accessed.

The part of Remote Deskop Access installed in the service provider's server maintains a register of the last known public IP address of each CPE (gateway). Users access the remote desktop by: (1) surfing to the server using a well known URL, at this point a userid and password can be required; (2) identifying the target desktop (computer); (3) being transferred to the target desktop (computer).

The target network is identified using the name recognized by the service provider, usually the formal name of the CPE an arbitrary username linked to the formal name. Access security, userid and password challenge, at the target desktop is subject to the rules set in the target computer.