Remote Desktop to workstations not server

Im sure this is easy but I dont get how to do it...I have had many Remote Desktops to the my servers before via noip.com or dyndns and routing the connection to the server IP. However I have a school that Im not at very often and want to be able to remote in and choose which desktop/laptop to connect to so I can take over their screen and give remote assistance via the internet. Whenever I have set RDP up I have only managed to get the server desktop and not workstations in network, how do I route to the internal machines?

preferably using free or open source software....

Thank you

Look at Adito VPN ALS

Remote desktop gateway is an option - you set that as accessible from the net, and tell it what machines you wanna be able to connect to inside the network, and rdp traffic is wrapped in a https tunnel.

no mess, no fuss. Deploying Remote Desktop Gateway Step-by-Step Guide

wont rdp to a pc though kick off the user who is currently logged on? and just show them a locked screen

Thank you looking at both those solutions now......

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Originally Posted by sted

wont rdp to a pc though kick off the user who is currently logged on? and just show them a locked screen

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This is very true, you could however remote to a terminal server and use the Windows Remote Assistance tool if it's a requirement for people to be able to see what's happening

Important thing to remember about RDP ... don't do it natively ... make sure it is secure. Either VPN into the required network or follow the guidance @Domino linked to earlier.

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Originally Posted by iownitcouk

I have a school that Im not at very often and want to be able to remote in and choose which desktop/laptop to connect to so I can take over their screen and give remote assistance via the internet.

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You could run your RDP connection over an SSH connection, port forwading to the appropriate machine.

Build an admin machine with VNC on it and deploy VNC to the other machines, RDP into the admin machine then vnc to the client. Laggy but easy.

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Originally Posted by strawberry

Build an admin machine with VNC on it and deploy VNC to the other machines, RDP into the admin machine then vnc to the client. Laggy but easy.

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Now that sounds like a pain free way for me to go, I have used VNC internally before but not externally. Would I have to build a new server to host VNC? Would it not be ok to put it on my Domain Controller?

I'd be using VNC over a VPN too, if you think RDP is insecure...