Anyone use "remote software" like PcAnywhere etc?

[bill_n_opus]

Can anyone share their experiences with this type of software - PcAnywhere, GoToMyPC et al.

What are the practical uses for it? Remote monitoring? Remote tech support? Remote file sharing, data/info retrieval?

Or is it purely just the need to be symbiotically attached to your comp?

I've been thinking of trying it out for the heck of it. Before I do I just wanted to canvass for opinions.

Thanks for any replies.

[Neitzl]

I use VNC, free and flexible. Not as many options as Timbuktu/PCAnywhere, but it's great for just remote control. I know it can be used over the internet to get to another machine, but if your other machine is behind a firewall, you need to open some ports. It's especially nice with a VPN connection, cuz VNCs security isn't the best thing out there.


Neitzl

[twikoff]

we have alot of licenses for pc anywhere.. but we prefer to use vnc
nice free easy option.. and its i like being able to remote control through my browser, without ever loading up the client

personally.. I think the refresh is better through the browser, than through the client anyways.

[Dirk]

I've used Timbuktu, PC Anywhere, the built-in 'remote desktop' support in XP (which is basically just a stripped down version of Terminal Services), and some other app who's name I can't remember at the moment.

Why? Let's see:
1) Remote server administration - a great reason to use one of these packages. Why walk/drive/fly to wherever your server is located, when you can do 99% of the work from your desk?

2) Remote troubleshooting - In the office, for friends, clients, whatever. If you've ever done troubleshooting over the phone, I'm sure you've experienced this - 'Describe what it's doing now' - 'well, the screen looks kinda funny, and there's this thingy over there - oh, and there was some kinda error message, but I just clicked 'ok', and it went away'... .

3) Being able to get to your own machine remotely - need to check your e-mail, and don't have webmail? Want to toss a particular file into your FTP root directory, so you can then FTP into your machine & grab it? Just remembered you really needed to send that file to your friend? Etc, etc.

Basically, all the reasons you mentioned, and probably more.

Hope that helps.

[dgmayor]

I live by Microsoft Terminal Services (Remote Desktop) for 2k and XP. When I'm at work I constantly have my home PC up, and I have 2 pc's here that I keep a TS window open to the other from my main.

[bill_n_opus]

Originally posted by Dirk
I've used Timbuktu, PC Anywhere, the built-in 'remote desktop' support in XP (which is basically just a stripped down version of Terminal Services), and some other app who's name I can't remember at the moment.

Why? Let's see:


2) Remote troubleshooting - In the office, for friends, clients, whatever. If you've ever done troubleshooting over the phone, I'm sure you've experienced this - 'Describe what it's doing now' - 'well, the screen looks kinda funny, and there's this thingy over there - oh, and there was some kinda error message, but I just clicked 'ok', and it went away'... .

3) Being able to get to your own machine remotely - need to check your e-mail, and don't have webmail? Want to toss a particular file into your FTP root directory, so you can then FTP into your machine & grab it? Just remembered you really needed to send that file to your friend? Etc, etc.

Basically, all the reasons you mentioned, and probably more.

Hope that helps.

Helps great.

Before I dive into this stuff head on I have one little thing to ask about.

- if you have this remote software installed on your comp do you HAVE to have the same software installed on the other end as well? So if i'm at a friend's place and we're goofing off on his comp and I say "Hey, I have this cool file on my comp" - can I just connect to my comp (assuming it's on) over the net and download/transfer the file ? Or do I have to install it first on his comp before going forward?

I suppose I can read the README but I might as well pad my post total.

thanks.

[kneijst1]

Definitly Terminal Server on Win2K. Once you use that, you never go back to PC Anywhere, IMHO.

[Brain Stew]

Can someone tell me which ports need to be opened for vnc? I wanted to get the server to work with my linksys router.

[4KRG]

Originally Posted by Brain Stew

Can someone tell me which ports need to be opened for vnc? I wanted to get the server to work with my linksys router.

5800 + 5900 by default, HOWEVER, I would highly suggest you change the default ports to avoid script kiddies.

I use Timbuktu Pro for server management just because I feel it is the MOST secure remote control app. Terminal Services can not perform every remote function one would need to do where Timbuktu will.

On machines I don't care too much about, I use UltraVNC or some other flavor of VNC depending.

I dislike PC anywhere, too clunky and too hackable.

Radmin is decent http://www.famatech.com/

If all you want to do is grab files, use a secure FTP server/client setup instead of a remote control app.

[al_bundy]

the IT department uses Raritan KVM switches. People that need console access to servers use a mix of VNC or PCA.

The good thing about IP KVM switches is that I can see a machine reboot remotely and go into the BIOS etc without actually being in front of it.

[Brain Stew]

Opening the port worked. Thanks!

[mikehunt]

I use vnc to monitor the computer in the other room sometimes

I use novell's remote control quite often at work (bank helpdesk)

[crankyman]

for home use, i use ultravnc. works a charm and can do quick file transfers which is nice.

at work, we use a variety of products that all cost money. i'm happy with the way vnc works at the house.

[AGuyNamedMike]

I use RDP/Terminal services to work from home and to manage some of our WIN servers at work. I use AdRem Free Remote Console for connecting to my Netware boxes, and ZEN Remote Control to get to user PCs. VNC is nice enough, but I'm happy with what I'm using now. Radmin is nice too, but we have some kiddies on campus who play around with it trying to get into trouble, so I added it to the Rogue Apps list.

[jealous of al_bundy's IT Dept. I've been asking for out-of-band KVM for years and years, but they keep cutting it out of the budget.]

[Nazgul]

Our company bought a site license for "Remotely Anywhere" and it works like a charm. It installs on severs or workstations and it's quite responsive (i.e. no latency). It has a ton of functionality and since it runs off of IE (or Firefox), I use Citrix to run my workstations.

[BigPete]

I use realVNC daily to keep my queue full on my PC at home and as a way of doing things which might be deemed questionable at work. It has 128 bit encryption on traffic, so it isn't subject to any packet sniffing by work filters.

It's annoying that it doesn't have a built in file transfer, however the no-install exe client is great.

[Michael Corvin]

So the question begs, does anyone remote control a mac from their PC? That is what I am looking to do. Remote control my home Mac with my work XP machine.

I have a program(forget name) that I can control my XP laptop from the Mac, but not the other way around. Works pretty good, I just leave the laptop on, closed under the desk.

Any ideas?

[matome]

I use UltraVNC. Works great for remote access and file transfers and is also a godsend for my HTPC, which I can control/update without booting up the DLP set and pulling out the wireless keyboard/mouse. Windows Remote Desktop on XP Pro also works well, though it locks out the remote computer.

[CRM114]

Originally Posted by Michael Corvin

So the question begs, does anyone remote control a mac from their PC? That is what I am looking to do. Remote control my home Mac with my work XP machine.

I have a program(forget name) that I can control my XP laptop from the Mac, but not the other way around. Works pretty good, I just leave the laptop on, closed under the desk.

Any ideas?

Yes, you just need a VNC Server on the Mac. (We used to use Share My Desktop.) Also, it seems that MacOS X has a VNC server built in if you enable Apple Remote Desktop and check off the VNC box. After some sort of server is running on the Mac, then you can connect with the windows machine using UltraVNC or whatever else.

[Michael Corvin]

Thanks matome & CRM, I'll have to give that a shot.

[ChiTownAbs, Inc]

WebEx & NetMeeting

[zuffy]

RDP. If someone applications don't like it, then Netmeeting is my backup.

[al_bundy]

Originally Posted by Michael Corvin

So the question begs, does anyone remote control a mac from their PC? That is what I am looking to do. Remote control my home Mac with my work XP machine.

I have a program(forget name) that I can control my XP laptop from the Mac, but not the other way around. Works pretty good, I just leave the laptop on, closed under the desk.

Any ideas?

Never used a Mac, but I imagine you can SSH into it and run everything via commmand line.

[kms_md]

Originally Posted by CRM114

Yes, you just need a VNC Server on the Mac. (We used to use Share My Desktop.) Also, it seems that MacOS X has a VNC server built in if you enable Apple Remote Desktop and check off the VNC box. After some sort of server is running on the Mac, then you can connect with the windows machine using UltraVNC or whatever else.

to SMD. i works well and it easy to set up. osxvnc works as well. on the xp side i use ultravnc or thinvnc.