Allowing Remote Desktop Server Solution for Family

[JustSomeGuy]

Ok so here's the situation. I have a spare Mac Mini here that I would like to use as a remote desktop server for my parents using PD8 and Windows VMs. What I'd like to do is host two or more VMs on the mini and allow one and maybe more people at once access their personal VM I'm assuming via RDP or some other remote desktop application.

A few questions about how it could work that I have are...

1. I assume I would just put all the VMs in Bridged Mode and then port forward the appropriate ports in the router to the IP of the VM so they can access via RDP?

2. Can Microsoft Remote Desktop Connection of Mac catch sound as well or would you suggest another solution? I was hoping to use something stock and free in Windows.

3. is there a way to isolate the mouse/keyboard to each VM so that if multiple users are accessing their VM at the same time they could both be independently working without interrupting each other? At this point I only want to do two simultaneous users, but the idea of providing a cloud desktop solution via Parallels VMs for many friends and family sounds like a fun project.

4. Security concerns?

 

[lotw]

Ok so here's the situation. I have a spare Mac Mini here that I would like to use as a remote desktop server for my parents using PD8 and Windows VMs. What I'd like to do is host two or more VMs on the mini and allow one and maybe more people at once access their personal VM I'm assuming via RDP or some other remote desktop application.

A few questions about how it could work that I have are...

1. I assume I would just put all the VMs in Bridged Mode and then port forward the appropriate ports in the router to the IP of the VM so they can access via RDP?

You are correct in that, you have to use bridged networking in order to use RDP.

2. Can Microsoft Remote Desktop Connection of Mac catch sound as well or would you suggest another solution? I was hoping to use something stock and free in Windows.

No, RDP cannot give you sound from Mac, windows maybe but not Mac.

3. is there a way to isolate the mouse/keyboard to each VM so that if multiple users are accessing their VM at the same time they could both be independently working without interrupting each other? At this point I only want to do two simultaneous users, but the idea of providing a cloud desktop solution via Parallels VMs for many friends and family sounds like a fun project.

No it cannot do that, in fact I would suggest now sharing the VM for different users at the same time with any software other then those made for that. PM, VMware, VirtualBoxa are all made to emulate a computer with single users at a time experience, other then server software.

4. Security concerns?

There is always security concerns when it comes to Windows and other OSes whe. Connecting to the Internet, especially now days with almost every government accessing all your data whenever they want. Make sure you have good virus, passwords, and use non-standard hidden ports (from being able to be port scanned).