--- title: "Cloud LAN use cases" slug: "cloud-lan-use-cases" description: "This article demonstrates how to use Smart Remote Access for different purposes.Each section presents a specific use case, showing you how to make Smart Remote access work for your needs." updated: 2026-09-08T13:00:39Z published: 2026-09-08T13:00:39Z canonical: "help.nordlayer.com/cloud-lan-use-cases" --- > ## Documentation Index > Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://help.nordlayer.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further. # Cloud LAN use cases This article demonstrates examples how to use Cloud LAN network connector for different purposes. Each section presents a different use case: **Note**: Before starting, we highly reccomend to set up a [Dynamic DNS](https://help.nordlayer.com/docs/setting-up-the-device-name-for-cloud-lan) address for your devices. - [Connect remote devices with RDP](/docs/smart-remote-access-use-cases#connect-remote-devices-with-remote-desktop-protocol): Securely connect to remote desktops. - [Share Files on Windows](/docs/smart-remote-access-use-cases#share-files-on-windows): Share files on your Windows machine. - [Share Files on macOS](/docs/smart-remote-access-use-cases#share-files-on-macos-with-smart-remote-access): Share files on your macOS device. - [Share Files on Linux](/docs/smart-remote-access-use-cases#share-files-on-linux-with-smart-remote-access): File sharing on Linux systems. - Remote system management with secure SSH connections. ## Connect remote devices with Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) In this section, we'll walk you through the steps to use RDP with Cloud LAN feature. 1. Connect to a **Virtual Private Gateway** in your NordLayer application. 2. Enter the Dynamic DNS address into the RDP prompt before connecting. 3. Check if the initialization process goes through. 4. Confirm that you can now reach the remote device for remote desktop. ## Share Files on Windows Learn how to share files on your Windows machine using Cloud LAN. **Step 1: Creating share** You will need to enable file sharing in Windows, as other operating systems cannot access Windows home groups. To do this, open Control Panel and navigate to **Network and Sharing** > **Advanced sharing settings**. Then, enable **Network Discovery** and **File and printer sharing.** You can also change the following options if you would like to share public folders over the network - without requiring a password. ![Windows advanced sharing settings showing network discovery and file sharing enabled for private profile](https://cdn.document360.io/fc1049cd-8f71-4b89-b9b8-dbca9fdcdd16/Images/Documentation/Screenshot%202021-07-22%20at%2013.33.04(2).png) Locate the folder you would like to share in **Windows Explorer** or **File Explorer**, right-click on it and select **Properties**. Open up the **Sharing tab** and use the options there to share a folder and configure its permissions. ![Windows Downloads Properties showing Sharing tab with network path and Advanced Sharing button](https://cdn.document360.io/fc1049cd-8f71-4b89-b9b8-dbca9fdcdd16/Images/Documentation/Screenshot%202021-07-22%20at%2013.33.11(2).png) **Step 2: Accessing share** You can connect directly to a computer using its full [Dynamic DNS name](/setting-up-the-device-name-for-smart-remote-access). Just type **\\FULL-DDNS-ADDRESS** (the name of a machine that has configured shares) into **Windows Explorer** or **File Explorer’s** location bar and press **Enter**. Alternatively, to only reach a specific share, right-click somewhere on your **Desktop** and select **New** -> **Shortcut**. ## Share files on macOS Learn how to to share files on your macOS device with Cloud LAN. **Step 1: Create a Share** You will need to enable network file sharing to share folders on your macOS device. Open **System Preferences** and select **Sharing**. Enable **File Sharing** and click the **Options...** button to ensure **Share files and folders** using **SMB** is enabled. Use the **Shared Folders** column to choose additional folders to share. Use the **Users** column to choose which users and groups can access and write to them. ![macOS Sharing preferences showing File Sharing enabled with Downloads folder shared to Everyone users](https://cdn.document360.io/fc1049cd-8f71-4b89-b9b8-dbca9fdcdd16/Images/Documentation/Screenshot%202021-07-22%20at%2013.38.32(2).png) **Step 2: Access share** Open the **Finder**, click **Go** on the menu at the top of the screen, and select **Connect to Server**. Enter the following address, replacing **10.6.x.x** with the other device’s full [Dynamic DNS address](/docs/setting-up-the-device-name-for-smart-remote-access) name from the NordLayer application: ![macOS Connect to Server dialog showing SMB address field with Browse and Connect buttons](https://cdn.document360.io/fc1049cd-8f71-4b89-b9b8-dbca9fdcdd16/Images/Documentation/Screenshot%202021-07-22%20at%2013.59.08(1)(2).png) You will be prompted to **authenticate** with the appropriate credentials or **log in** as a guest. After connecting, the computer will appear under the **Shared** column in the **Finder** sidebar. To automatically connect to the shared folder each time you log in, open the **System Preferences** window and navigate to **Users and Groups** > **Login Items**. Drag and drop the network share from under the **Shared** column in **Finder** to the list of **Login Items**. ## Share Files on Linux Learn how to share file options for Linux systems using Cloud LAN. **Step 1: Enable Share** Use your desktop’s **file manager** to share a folder on Linux. Open the **file manager**, right-click a folder you would like to share, and select **Properties**. Click the **Local Network Share** tab and enable **Share** this folder. If this is the first time you have enabled sharing, you will be prompted to **download and install the Samba** software — this happens automatically when you provide your password. Configure your sharing settings after installing the Samba software — be sure to click the **Create Share** button to start sharing the folder. ![Linux folder sharing dialog showing guest access enabled with Share checkbox and Create Share button](https://cdn.document360.io/fc1049cd-8f71-4b89-b9b8-dbca9fdcdd16/Images/Documentation/Screenshot%202021-07-22%20at%2013.41.56(2).png) **Step 2: Access Share on Linux** To connect directly to another machine, navigate to **Other Locations** and locate the **Connect to Server** field. Enter the path to a computer with a configured network share: **smb://DDNS-ADDRESS** replacing **DDNS-ADDRESS** with the other device’s full name from the NordLayer application. ![Ubuntu file manager showing Other Locations with SMB server connection dialog and Windows Network available](https://cdn.document360.io/fc1049cd-8f71-4b89-b9b8-dbca9fdcdd16/Images/Documentation/Screenshot%202021-07-22%20at%2014.03.09(1)(2).png) **Note:** However you connect, you may need to **authenticate** with a user account name and password that has access to the files on the remote machine. This depends on whether you have enabled guest access and how you have set up your folder sharing permissions. ## Connect via Secure Shell (SSH) Learn how to connect your remote system with Secure Shell using Cloud LAN: 1. Ensure you have an **SSH client installed** on your local machine. 2. Open your **terminal** or **command prompt**. Use the following command to connect to the remote device: css: ``` ssh username@DDNS-ADDRESS ``` 1. Replace "**username**" with your remote device's username and [Dynamic DNS address](/docs/setting-up-the-device-name-for-smart-remote-access) with the device's DDNS address. 2. You may be prompted to enter your password for authentication. If you have SSH keys set up, you won't need to enter a password. 3. Once authenticated, you'll have secure access to the remote device's command-line interface. --- **Note**: In case you have any questions or issues, press '**Chat with support**' at the bottom of the page.