Remote connection issues

Question

I am trying to access my network remotely, but can't for some reason. I have internet coming to modem-wireless router. My server and other computers connect wirelessly. When I try to put in my static ip address (24.xx.xxx.xx), i get nothing. What should I be doing?
Thanks in advance

Answer 1

It could be inferred by your phrasing that you're not particularly familiar with setting up a firewall and a small IP network. If that assumption is correct, then read [this|http://labs.hoffmanlabs.com/node/275] as a start; that should give you an introduction to some of the IP pieces that are typical here. (Comments on that article are welcome, of course.)
You're going to want a public static IP address for your firewall (which is presumably already in place) and business-class service (if you're going to be serving up web pages or running a mail server or such) and you're then going to need to set up port forwarding at the firewall (presuming NAT, and that's less desirable), or you're going to need public static IP addresses for your firewall and for your target server box (more preferable) and a firewall rule that allows access from your specific client (more preferable) or from any network client (less desirable) to the target box.
Alternatively, you'll want a firewall which permits an in-bound VPN connection, and use a VPN client on your Mac box to connect from your Mac to your firewall. From there, most VPNs will allow you to access your LAN transparently.
Depending on how much you want to learn about setting up a LAN and remote access (and protecting your servers against the inevitable security attacks), It may well be most expedient to have somebody in the local Tampa area configure your network for you, too. (What solution is most appropriate here depends on how much time you want to spend dealing with the firewall and the network and such, and on your budget.)