need opinion on VPN type software

[substance12]

for a newbie who has never fiddled with VPN software... what do you all recommend?

pcanywhere?
winxp built in VPN?
VNC?

 

[Joemonkey]

VNC (i hope that's what you mean by VCN) is pretty sweet, but they aren't really "VPN software"

when you tunnel in with VPN its like you are acutally ON the network, not just inside the desktop of one of the computers

 

[substance12]

VNC, you're right. edited. explain to me the difference between being on the network vs on the desktop.

 

[notfred]

What you want isn't VPN at all, you're looking for a remote desktop type application.

 

[substance12]

remote desktop would allow me to control 1 computer on my network through another computer on my network.

VPN allows me control from outside my network.

is that correct?

 

[GhettoFob]

You can use VNC to control computers outside of your network as long as that other computer has at least one port that is directly connected to the internet (port-forwarding if the computer is behind a router). I recommend TightVNC if this is what you're looking for.

 

[ClueLis]

Originally posted by: substance12
remote desktop would allow me to control 1 computer on my network through another computer on my network.

VPN allows me control from outside my network.

is that correct?

No, the remote desktop can work from anywhere on the internet. the Virtual Private Network basically attempts to form a secure network connection over the network. It does not gain control of a computer, it only accesses the files.

 

[substance12]

ahh, so remote desktop is what i wanted. pcanywhere does that, right?

 

[hungrygoose]

yes