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Topic: Remote Desktop.... Does it work? |
John Daugherty
From:
Rolla, Missouri, USA
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Posted 2 May 2007 4:35 am |
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Several months ago I spent a lot of time trying to get "Remote Desktop" to connect from my home to my business computer. Both Computers are running XP Pro. I spent countless hours downloading tutorials. It seemed that the writers of the tutorials assumed that I already had a working knowledge of Remote Desktop. I am not a complete idiot, but I found the information lacking ALL the steps necessary for setting up and logging in.
Has anyone used remote desktop? If so, can you recommend a good source for step-by-step setup information?
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www.myspace.com/johndaughertysteelguitar |
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winston
From:
Frankfort, Kentucky 40601
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Posted 2 May 2007 6:31 am
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John
I have used Remote Desktop a few times. First thing you fill out an invitation, create a password, set an expiration date, then send it to someone. When they receive it, open it, enter the password that you have provided them through email or phone. Then the sender receives a notice that someone wants to connect through remote desktop, when you approve then your desktop shows up on the other person's computer. He can then request view only or full control option. With the full control option he can then proceed to work on or use your computer. It is really a cool microsoft feature. I have fixed a couple of computers over 1000 miles from my house. I am surprised that some on the forum don't use this when they are having a lot of problems. Jack Stoner and Wiz could fix a lot of forum computers this way. BTW I forgot to mention you may have to disable firewalls on sender and receiver computers to let Remote Desktop connect. I hope this helps. Winston May |
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Wiz Feinberg
From:
Mid-Michigan, USA
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Posted 2 May 2007 9:35 am Windows Remote Desktop fails through NAT routers
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I use Windows Remote Desktop on location to service multiple computers at a customer's location, but the application fails if used from a remote location where both parties are using NAT routers. At least one end must have a static IP address.
Since most people with broadband connections have multiple computers and use a router and firewall, it becomes more and more a challenge to get remote connections to work.
In lieu of trying to deal with NAT router limitations I prefer software solutions that place a server on a host computer, which can be accessed via the web (even on location if necessary). The main three are Radmin (inexpensive license), GoToMyPC (monthly/annual subscriptions) and PCAnywhere (expensive license). For help desks there is a package from Cytrix that allows customers to connect to the help computer which runs the server and they then receive a software drop to allow the technician to control their computer upon exchange of credentials. This is quite costly (I have inquired) and only money making help desks can afford use it (leaves little guys out).
I am currently finding connectivity problems with GoToMyPC, because the signal is sent from the host computer to the company's servers, then back to the client (me) computer. The connection occasionally dies while I am working on a computer that is physically located 5 miles away, due to problems along the long electronic path it must travel. I am now experimenting with Radmin and will post my results if I feel it is a better solution for common assistance situations.
One of the biggest challenges I find is in the remote rebooting/logging back on process, with computers requiring logon credentials (all of my customers' computers require a name/password logon). Some of the remote control programs do not run as a Windows Service before the desktop loads, which renders them useless if there is nobody sitting in front of a monitor at the computer being rebooted. The remote connection is never regained to logon until a person does it on location.
I have also done remote desktop via Cisco PIX VPN routers using static IP at both ends, but that is another story, another time, another place.
_________________
"Wiz" Feinberg, Moderator SGF Computers Forum
Security Consultant
Twitter: @Wizcrafts
Main web pages: Wiztunes Steel Guitar website | Wiz's Security Blog | My Webmaster Services | Wiz's Security Blog |
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Jeff Agnew
From:
Dallas, TX
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Posted 3 May 2007 4:03 am
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| Wiz wrote: |
| I have also done remote desktop via Cisco PIX VPN routers using static IP at both ends |
Try Hamachi instead, which offers NAT-to-NAT traversal. Supports VNC, Remote Desktop, P2P, etc. |
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John Daugherty
From:
Rolla, Missouri, USA
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Posted 3 May 2007 4:12 am
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You can,supposedly, use Remote Desktop to access your host computer without it being attended. The tutorials I read did not specify the mode the host computer needs to be in. The wizard will install the "host" and "remote" software in the respective computers, but I found that a lot of information was lacking in detail.
Yes it would be easier to use a "paid" service. I am trying to avoid that. |
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