Remote controlling my office PC
Discussion
I'm looking to get some remote control software, so I can log into my office PC, and work from home.
Has anybody got any recommendations?
It doesn't need to be too powerfull, just running apps, and transferring data between the two. Also, it needs to be able to connect via a dynamic IP address (works IP is not fixed). Price is not really a concern, although something that does the job for free would be a bonus.
Thanks in advance
Phil
Has anybody got any recommendations?
It doesn't need to be too powerfull, just running apps, and transferring data between the two. Also, it needs to be able to connect via a dynamic IP address (works IP is not fixed). Price is not really a concern, although something that does the job for free would be a bonus.
Thanks in advance
Phil
www.logmein.com
Free version doesnt include file transfer between PCs, but you could always use email for smaller files.
Subscription version does cost money, but it has a 14 day free trial, and will allow you to transfer huuuge files.
Works straight through work and home firewalls, and doesnt mess about with the core of Windows like PCAnywhere does.
Does what it says on the tin, and well worth a go.
Marcus
Free version doesnt include file transfer between PCs, but you could always use email for smaller files.
Subscription version does cost money, but it has a 14 day free trial, and will allow you to transfer huuuge files.
Works straight through work and home firewalls, and doesnt mess about with the core of Windows like PCAnywhere does.
Does what it says on the tin, and well worth a go.
Marcus
I use VNC. It's open source/free and works cross-platform -- Macs, Wintel PCs, and Linux etc. Bug-free and fast. Can't beat it... www.realvnc.com/
The problem that you will run into with most remote control aps is that dynamic IP.
Questions: How are the IP's parceled out? Do you have a private DNS server at work? Are you using W2K/W2003 domain model and connecting as a member of the same Domain (or a trusted domain) via VPN from home?
The way to go (IMHO) is to connect to your work LAN via a VPN (if you set up the tunnel right you get maximum security with complete access to all domain resources). That way you could just grab any files off of your work PC and then use remote desktop for app control.
ErnestM
Questions: How are the IP's parceled out? Do you have a private DNS server at work? Are you using W2K/W2003 domain model and connecting as a member of the same Domain (or a trusted domain) via VPN from home?
The way to go (IMHO) is to connect to your work LAN via a VPN (if you set up the tunnel right you get maximum security with complete access to all domain resources). That way you could just grab any files off of your work PC and then use remote desktop for app control.
ErnestM
randlemarcus said:
www.logmein.com
Free version doesnt include file transfer between PCs, but you could always use email for smaller files.
Subscription version does cost money, but it has a 14 day free trial, and will allow you to transfer huuuge files.
Works straight through work and home firewalls, and doesnt mess about with the core of Windows like PCAnywhere does.
Does what it says on the tin, and well worth a go.
Marcus
I use logmein too, albeit not for anything too serious. I don't have a static ip at home and had no issues with the free service. Very easy to use and very quick over a half-meg line...
Can't go wrong for the grand sum of no pounds!
Bloody hell!!!
Thanks for all your suggestions. I had no idea I was going to get so many answers.
I'd already figured having a dynamic IP address on the works PC was going to be a pain. One small ray of hope for me, is that at least the dsl modem is permanently connected (but then who's to say it won't burp and reconnect?).
I guess it's a case of try some of your suggestions, and see what connects.
Does any of this software hiccup, and remain visble?, the last thing I need, is to have to get off my butt and go and reset it?
Once again, thanks
Phil
Thanks for all your suggestions. I had no idea I was going to get so many answers.
I'd already figured having a dynamic IP address on the works PC was going to be a pain. One small ray of hope for me, is that at least the dsl modem is permanently connected (but then who's to say it won't burp and reconnect?).
I guess it's a case of try some of your suggestions, and see what connects.
Does any of this software hiccup, and remain visble?, the last thing I need, is to have to get off my butt and go and reset it?
Once again, thanks
Phil
ErnestM said:
The problem that you will run into with most remote control aps is that dynamic IP.
Questions: How are the IP's parceled out? Do you have a private DNS server at work? Are you using W2K/W2003 domain model and connecting as a member of the same Domain (or a trusted domain) via VPN from home?
The way to go (IMHO) is to connect to your work LAN via a VPN (if you set up the tunnel right you get maximum security with complete access to all domain resources). That way you could just grab any files off of your work PC and then use remote desktop for app control.
ErnestM
To give you the full picture, works PC is one of three pooters on a network. They are connected to BT broadband
usb dsl modem. The connection is dynamic, as in every time this thing twitches, you get a new ip address. Connected to it is a call generator, which spits out .csv's. I need to run a couple of apps on this Pc, and take the data it generates off it to process. Home connection is static up to the point I disconnect the modem (not happened for months)
Phil
Think you can get round the dns problem with these guys:
www.dyndns.org/services/dns/dyndns/
Free service that assigns you a static hostname that then gets forwarded to your Ip address. The cleved bit is a small third party app (there are links to these on the above page) loaded onto work PC will then update the ip they forward to whenever it gets changed, think it checks every 5 or 10 mins. Worked fine for me a while ago but not used recently as now have static Ip.
www.dyndns.org/services/dns/dyndns/
Free service that assigns you a static hostname that then gets forwarded to your Ip address. The cleved bit is a small third party app (there are links to these on the above page) loaded onto work PC will then update the ip they forward to whenever it gets changed, think it checks every 5 or 10 mins. Worked fine for me a while ago but not used recently as now have static Ip.
Once again, logmein.com...
It works by having a server sat out in internetwebland, which has two connections to it. One connection from the PC you want to connect to, over SSL, so the IP dont matter a stuff, and any firewall at work will let it through, and one from the computer you wish to connect from, so again IP is irrelevant, and firewalls on routers etc will allow outbound SSL.
It costs nothing, doesnt break the PC, doesnt bring up the possibility of installing software on a works managed PC and thus licensing issues, and is bloody good stuff.
PS I dont work for the company, but I do use it for a number of family support type PCs
It works by having a server sat out in internetwebland, which has two connections to it. One connection from the PC you want to connect to, over SSL, so the IP dont matter a stuff, and any firewall at work will let it through, and one from the computer you wish to connect from, so again IP is irrelevant, and firewalls on routers etc will allow outbound SSL.
It costs nothing, doesnt break the PC, doesnt bring up the possibility of installing software on a works managed PC and thus licensing issues, and is bloody good stuff.
PS I dont work for the company, but I do use it for a number of family support type PCs
I don't want to take this of thread , but I don't even know if my query is relevant to what you are talking about(
)......
So I've got 3D cadcam on works pc , protected by a deskey , can I access this application at home using the aforementioned methods ? (assuming it isn't already running on the works pc)
)...... So I've got 3D cadcam on works pc , protected by a deskey , can I access this application at home using the aforementioned methods ? (assuming it isn't already running on the works pc)
z1000 said:
Though I guess application would check for deskey on computer it was running on ,
Wait until you start playing with Virtualisation, where we have a copy of Windows 3.11 (on VMWare), running on Linux(on VMware), running on WIndows XP(On virtual PC), on a copy of Windows Server 2003(on Virtual Server), on another copy of Windows Server 2003..
Yes, you would be able to use the CAD app, as it is still running on the original PC hardware, just with the logmein app scraping the screen. It is just intercepting the screen, rather than running as another console session. Clever chaps, these code monkeys..
. I might try the others after I've given this a chance. 
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