Reply to: Remote access to PC based at home

[css_jay99]

Firefox

I manged to get portable firefox and installed the logmein plugin

I logged into logmein from firefoxbut when i try remote connect i got some form of proxy error

So not sure if the error is just firefox related

css_jay99

[TheFaQQer]

what is FF ?

Firefox

[css_jay99]

Alternatively, stick FF on a USB stick with the plugin installed when you're next off site and use that.

what is FF ?

VNC stuff will probably not work due to firewall


a portable standalone app might also work since i can insert a CD (... usb ports dont allow drives

css_jay99

[doodab]

I use openVPN to establish a VPN (this is nicely secure and only requires a single port forwarded form your router) and then use RDP, VNC or whatever over that to remote control the PC. I can access anything on the network using whatever protocol is appropriate (I can even print to my home printer) and it also has the advantage that I can redirect any traffic I choose over the VPN if privacy is required.

The only downside is that not all clients will allow the traffic through the firewall. Less of a problem with 3G.

[Pondlife]

I have tried to connect from work to my home pc's using logmein via IE web browser but it tries to download an activex plugin which is blocked at work

is there another way to download & install the plugin?

css_jay99

ps. I can use teamviewer but it seems slightly sluggish and crippled with "buy now...." slogans

It is possible to use logmein without the plugin I think.

Alternatively, stick FF on a USB stick with the plugin installed when you're next off site and use that.

[v8gaz]

Havent read the full thread, but you can't beat LogMeIn free, especially if you have the snmartphone app. It just works.

[css_jay99]

logmein via Internet explorer

I have tried to connect from work to my home pc's using logmein via IE web browser but it tries to download an activex plugin which is blocked at work

is there another way to download & install the plugin?

css_jay99

ps. I can use teamviewer but it seems slightly sluggish and crippled with "buy now...." slogans

[SuperZ]

Thanks for these recommendations.
Only tried radmin, RDC and mesh so far.
Mesh is great over a good connection but rubbish over even a Vodafone 3G+ laptop connection. I think this is one app I will use though when a good connection is availble at client site.

Radmin I couldn`t get working even over my wireless LAN let alone over the tinterweb. I suspect a firewall issue. I had radmin server running on a WIndows 7 machine and an exception was added to the Win 7 firewall by the radmin server installer to allow connections for this application so it should have worked.

I couldn`t get remote desktop working due to an Ati driver issue , hopefully Ati can come up with a decent driver for Win7 and the card soon. On logging in the desktop was displayed but instantly froze before Atii Catalyst Control Centre thew a wobbly.

Will try others and also will have another go with radmin.

[SameOldStory]

+1 for the RDP as it couples tightly with Windows API stuff like a concept of window etc,, the result is a much more responsive connection, less bw required etc.
If you're paranoid (or corp IT is by not allowing it) you can wrap your RDP traffic in a SSH or even HTTP tunnel. It's quite simple really.

Live mesh uses https for its version of remote desktop.

Still much less responsive and much more bw needed than radmin.

[xchaotic]

+1 for the RDP as it couples tightly with Windows API stuff like a concept of window etc,, the result is a much more responsive connection, less bw required etc.
If you're paranoid (or corp IT is by not allowing it) you can wrap your RDP traffic in a SSH or even HTTP tunnel. It's quite simple really.

[SameOldStory]

yep, as when connected between 2 pcs inside a LAN you get LAN speeds of connection.

Logmein is good as it is web based and gets past most firewall blocks, but it is almost unusable with low bandwidth.

RAdmin is much better at low bandwidth handling, it seems to need to transmit a lot less data for the same display. However, it isn't free.

I'm going to try mesh as it should provide a single solution for file syncs as well as the remote access.

Tried Mesh, file sync stuff is absolutley great.

Its RDP is nice and easy to use, but not so great at update speeds, haven#t been able to alter options on it yet either.

Also seems to require the user to be logged in, so no use connecting to a remote machine which has just rebooted due to MS updates.

[SameOldStory]

I'd be very, very, very careful just RDP'ing over the internet. What version RDP you using? Are you encrypting the traffic? RDP basic encryption itself is pure keech and is quite easy to sniff.

found a nice microsoft website saying that this is only true for very old versions of RDP. Not too sure on whether to totally believe it.

[SameOldStory]

It uses a server in the middle for establishing the connection at least, but my experience with it suggests that once connection has been established between you and the remote PC you are both connected directly.

yep, as when connected between 2 pcs inside a LAN you get LAN speeds of connection.

Logmein is good as it is web based and gets past most firewall blocks, but it is almost unusable with low bandwidth.

RAdmin is much better at low bandwidth handling, it seems to need to transmit a lot less data for the same display. However, it isn't free.

I'm going to try mesh as it should provide a single solution for file syncs as well as the remote access.

[Spacecadet]

Never tried it myself, but if it can get round firewall issues then I can only assume both ends have to connect to a server in the middle, and if that's busy, or just distant, it'll slow everything down.

It uses a server in the middle for establishing the connection at least, but my experience with it suggests that once connection has been established between you and the remote PC you are both connected directly.

[Incognito]

Why not? I rdp all the time using my broadband. Never had any issues.

I'd be very, very, very careful just RDP'ing over the internet. What version RDP you using? Are you encrypting the traffic? RDP basic encryption itself is pure keech and is quite easy to sniff.