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Accessing your vrtool desktop remotely

VRTool embedded webserver allows remote access to the program's chart using a web browser (IE, Firefox &c). The program acts as a web server.

Possible uses:

  1. View your vrtool desktop remotely with a Internet enabled cell phone.
  2. Share your desktop with friend(s) over the web.

List of services:
/ homepage (BA chart + boat data)
/ba.gif current boat attitude chart
/chart.gif current vrtool chart

The content is dynamically generated GIF images and html text.
This application serves no files nor runs any kind of script, so it is a simple and safe http server.
But make sure you understand other risks of serving the Internet from your computer.

To configure and activate the vrtool "webserver" click menu options > View > Web server.
Before starting the server, configure the tcp/ip port (default=8080).
The server may be set to require authentication for all pages ( a single login/password )

Click [x]Start/stop server to start.

To test the vrtool webserver from the same computer point the web browser to: 

http://localhost:8080/

Configuring your network to allow remote access to vrtool webserver

If you use a ADSL line connected to a wireless router, the configuration may involve:

  1. Most likely your router uses a dynamic Internet IP number (i.e. the IP changes over time).
    In this case you have to use a dynamic DNS service, such as DynDNS.org (free).
    Some wireless routers support DDNS ( whenever the ip changes, the router notifies the DNS sever).
    Create an account in DynDNS.org.
    Configure the wireless router with DynDNS host/login.

  2. Configure Wireless Router to accept connections on a given port and
    direct it to your computer ip/port.
    ex: start: 8080 end: 8080 ip: 192.168.0.101 protocol: tcp/ip
    ( to get your computer IP address, use DOS command IPCONFIG )

  3. Configure the computer Windows Firewall to allow remote access to the vrtool webserver in the chosen tcp/ip port.
    ex: program: vrtool.exe port:8080 rights: act as server

Your full VRTool webserver URL will look like this:

http://your_dyndns_name.getmyip.com:8080/

Type that URL in the cell phone web browser.

Warning: Of course If you can access your vrtool chart from the Internet, others can too.
Use authentication to restrict access.

 

 

©Copr 2008-09 Omar F. Reis