If you want REMOTE ACCESS

[Zstream]

Coming to this network forum I see plenty of users trying to get remote access, download/upload files and do all this using windows. Windows is not built for remote access, there is better software out that is just meant for remote access/vpn what have you.

Just download it for free and test it yourself. Most large companies use it as it is the best software out there. If you have problems with this software then I am afraid your network is just bad 😉

http://ultravnc.sourceforge.net/

 

[nweaver]

the problem with VNC is lack of encryption...

not to say you can't add it (I know there is a plugin, never tried it), and I like VNC (I use it all the time) but for pure remote access to click a few things, RDP is secured, and built in. But you loose the whole file transfer thing (but can't you mount the local drives?) and the ability to have multiple people connect and view, for a demo of sorts.

I actually tunnel all my remote stuff though, usually via ssh, sometimes VPN.

And not to thread crap on this, if you haven't tried it, it is good software 🙂

 

[ktwebb]

Originally posted by: Zstream
Coming to this network forum I see plenty of users trying to get remote access, download/upload files and do all this using windows. Windows is not built for remote access, there is better software out that is just meant for remote access/vpn what have you.

Just download it for free and test it yourself. Most large companies use it as it is the best software out there. If you have problems with this software then I am afraid your network is just bad 😉

http://ultravnc.sourceforge.net/

Err.....huh? As long as your using XP Pro on the host machine of course it's "built for remote access" I much preferred method IMO over VNC. There are some situations where I use VNC but by and large RD is a superior product.

And yes, nweaver, you can map local drives when you start an RD session.

 

[Zstream]

Originally posted by: nweaver
the problem with VNC is lack of encryption...

not to say you can't add it (I know there is a plugin, never tried it), and I like VNC (I use it all the time) but for pure remote access to click a few things, RDP is secured, and built in. But you loose the whole file transfer thing (but can't you mount the local drives?) and the ability to have multiple people connect and view, for a demo of sorts.

I actually tunnel all my remote stuff though, usually via ssh, sometimes VPN.

And not to thread crap on this, if you haven't tried it, it is good software 🙂

UltraVNC has encryption and it is much faster with file transfers then mounting a local drive. The reason why it is better is because you can do RD on a mac/linux windows 95 machine with very fast speed. Hey if you guys dont like well I cant force you to like speed/compatibility and multiple monitor support.

 

[nweaver]

Originally posted by: Zstream

Originally posted by: nweaver
the problem with VNC is lack of encryption...

not to say you can't add it (I know there is a plugin, never tried it), and I like VNC (I use it all the time) but for pure remote access to click a few things, RDP is secured, and built in. But you loose the whole file transfer thing (but can't you mount the local drives?) and the ability to have multiple people connect and view, for a demo of sorts.

I actually tunnel all my remote stuff though, usually via ssh, sometimes VPN.

And not to thread crap on this, if you haven't tried it, it is good software 🙂

UltraVNC has encryption and it is much faster with file transfers then mounting a local drive. The reason why it is better is because you can do RD on a mac/linux windows 95 machine with very fast speed. Hey if you guys dont like well I cant force you to like speed/compatibility and multiple monitor support.

Like I said, I like UltraVNC, and we use it all the time, but we also use RDP alot, and I usually tunnel both through SSH.

 

[ktwebb]

Multiple monitor support is interesting though I can't see a reason I'd ever use it. I doubt file transfers are faster and I know the desktop environment (mouse mainly) isn't faster in VNC than RD. Latency is one of the main reasons I try not to use a VNC variant. Unless VNC has done something significant lately. I've always preferred TightVNC if I am forced to use VNC. I'll give Ultra another go in the limited scenarios I must use VNC.

Something I have just stumbled on is using a RD snap-in in the MMC console. I put all my RD connections in that. I support close to 400 servers and while I have only added about 20 so far to the MMC console I have to say it is a very nice feature to have available. I may have 6 or more sessions going at the same time so having the ability to switch back and forth with one click in the same window is pretty sweet.

 

[Boscoh]

Originally posted by: ktwebb
Multiple monitor support is interesting though I can't see a reason I'd ever use it. I doubt file transfers are faster and I know the desktop environment (mouse mainly) isn't faster in VNC than RD. Latency is one of the main reasons I try not to use a VNC variant. Unless VNC has done something significant lately. I've always preferred TightVNC if I am forced to use VNC. I'll give Ultra another go in the limited scenarios I must use VNC.

TightVNC is my favorite VNC as well.

Something I have just stumbled on is using a RD snap-in in the MMC console. I put all my RD connections in that. I support close to 400 servers and while I have only added about 20 so far to the MMC console I have to say it is a very nice feature to have available. I may have 6 or more sessions going at the same time so having the ability to switch back and forth with one click in the same window is pretty sweet.

You can do the same thing with services. Having the services of all your servers in the MMC console is invaluable for saving time. Keeps you from having to RD into a server to stop/start a service.

 

[ktwebb]

There could be some improvements. For instance, and please tell me different if you know a way, it would be nice if you could group the RD connections together. I support alot of windows NLB's and clusters, and othe various server groupings that would be much easier to manage if the mmc console would allow you to group those together. Clicking a +/- to open/close the groupings. Yeah, you can do that with the favorties menu and I'll be using that as I add servers, but I'd much rather do it in the left pane where the connections live.

It's also annoying that all you have to do is click on the connection to open the RD session in the right pane. I'd rather have to manually right click and click connect/reconnect. I have only been using this a couple of days so there may just be things I haven't seen before. I like the concept and I will use this methodology but the management/functionality could be improved a good bit.