---
title: "Configure TCP tunneling"
slug: "tcp-tunneling"
updated: 2025-07-30T21:15:52Z
published: 2025-07-30T21:15:52Z
stale: true
---

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

# Configure TCP tunneling

TCP tunneling allows you to access services on a remote device as if they were running locally. This is useful for accessing internal web applications, industrial controls, or file storage systems from outside the remote network.

---

## Setting up TCP tunneling

You can configure tunneling in two ways:

- From the context menu in the **Discovery**, **Favorites**, **Recent Sessions**, or **Address Book** lists.
- During an active session, via the **Actions** menu in the [session toolbar](/v1/docs/session-settings).

> [!CAUTION]
> 🚨 **IMPORTANT**
> 
> TCP tunneling relies on the SMB authentication protocol. If the connection requires SSL, HTTPS, or hostname validation, the tunnel may not work properly.

### Tunneling directions

AnyDesk supports two types of tunnels:

- **Forward tunneling**: Forwards a request from a **local** port to a `<hostname>:<port>` destination on the **remote** device.
- **Reverse tunneling**: Forwards a request from a **remote** port to a `<hostname>:<port>` destination on the **local** device. ![VirtualBoxVM_GDw3GvD07J](https://f.hubspotusercontent40.net/hubfs/7940397/Help%20Center/TCP/VirtualBoxVM_GDw3GvD07J.png)

- **Local ports** are those used on your local device to access services running on the remote device.
- **Remote hosts and ports** are typically defined by the web application or service running on the remote network.

> [!TIP]
> 💡 **NOTE**
> 
> You can create multiple tunnels as long as listening ports do not conflict.

---

## Example use case

Your web application server is only accessible on the remote office network at:

```plaintext
arduinoCopyEdithttp://internal.specialized_software.com:8080
```

You have two options to access this server remotely:

1. Connect to the remote device and use its browser or terminal to access the application directly.
2. Use TCP tunneling to access the application from your local browser or terminal.

#### Using a local port

If port `1234` is available on your local network, configure the tunnel to forward:

- **Local port**: `1234`
- **Remote destination**: `internal.specialized_software.com:8080`

Once the session is active, open your local browser and go to:

```plaintext
arduinoCopyEdithttp://internal.specialized_software.com:1234
```

This gives you access to the remote server's content as if it were running locally.

---

## Common tunneling applications

You can use TCP tunneling with:

- VPN access
- SSH connections
- Internal web services
- Network-attached storage (NAS)
- Webcams
- Industrial device controls