If you're using the Windows XP Internet Connection Services (ICS) to connect your network to the Internet, you can use a feature included with ICS that will allow you to connect to your Windows XP computer from anywhere on the Internet. First, make sure your Windows XP computer on the home network is able to accept Remote Desktop connections, then perform the following steps at the ICS computer to "publish" your Windows XP computer to the Internet:

1. Click Start and then right click on Connect to. Click Open.
2. Right click on your Internet connected interface. This might be a LAN adapter (like with Cable or DSL) or a modem connection. Click Properties.
3. Click the Advanced tab. The Allow other network users to connect through this computer's Internet connection option will already be selected. Click on the Settings button.
4. In the Services tab on the Advanced Settings dialog box, place a checkmark in the Remote Desktop checkbox. In the Service Settings dialog box, type in the IP address of your computer on the network that is running the Remote Desktop service. This will be the IP address of your computer. Click OK.
5. Click OK again. Click OK one more time!

Now the ICS computer can accept requests for Remote Desktop connections. If you are connected to the Internet from any computer in the world, just start up the Remote Desktop client application and type in the IP address of the Internet connected interface of your ICS computer. When you connect, you'll be connecting to your own computer on the home network! Note this might be a problem if you have an IP address that changes over time. But you can solve that problem by using services such as www.tzo.com or www.dyndns.com.