---
title: "How to protect a computer over VPN"
slug: "how-to-protect-a-computer-over-vpn"
updated: 2023-11-13T23:28:36Z
published: 2023-11-13T23:28:36Z
canonical: "docs.retrospect.com/how-to-protect-a-computer-over-vpn"
---

> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.retrospect.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# How to protect a computer over VPN

Resources

Retrospect for Windows and Retrospect for Mac both support protecting computers over a VPN. It requires the correct networking setup and workflow within Retrospect.

## Requirements

The Retrospect engine must be able to reach the client:

Ensure port 497 is open.

Find the direct IP of the client computer.

To ensure the computer is protected moving forward, configure the VPN software to assign a static IP to the computer.

## Setup Steps

Go to Clients.

Add client via "Direct IP".

## Troubleshooting

- Try to "ping" the computer from the engine computer
- Double check the IP you typed within Retrospect is the same as the direct IP of the computer.
- Testing from the engine side:

telnet <machine IP> 497

- If it connects, you will get a black screen, press control and the ']' key (that is the right square bracket character) to exit.
- If it does not, you will get a message similar to:

Could not open connection to the host, on port 497: Connect failed

- Note: Telnet is not installed on Windows by default. To install it from the command line, enter:

pkgmgr /iu:"TelnetClient"

- For more troubleshooting ideas, see [Why is Retrospect communicating with address 224.1.0.38?](https://www.retrospect.com/en/support/kb/why_is_retrospect_communicating_with_address_224_1_0_38).

Last Update: October 9, 2017