Need solution for multlocation remote assistance.

[MBony]

Here is what I have.

multiple locations in different towns using different brand routers.
each location has multiple computers (no more than 10).

I need a solution to have remote desktop access to each computer at each location. I am currently using winvnc, but can only get into 1 machine at each location.

I've heard of echovnc where you don't have to worry w/ routers. Anyone use this or have any suggestions?

 

[Cooky]

Sounds like you're better off w/ a VPN solution, given that you have multiple sites. Or is that out of question due to the budget?

 

[JRock]

Originally posted by: Cooky
Sounds like you're better off w/ a VPN solution, given that you have multiple sites. Or is that out of question due to the budget?

Agreed. This is also an option we have looked into for some clients of ours. enkoo. We ended up just getting a PIX 501 for each location and setting up Client to VPN.

 

[JackMDS]

Originally posted by: MBony
Here is what I have.

multiple locations in different towns using different brand routers.
each location has multiple computers (no more than 10).

I need a solution to have remote desktop access to each computer at each location. I am currently using winvnc, but can only get into 1 machine at each location.

Look in the middle of this page.

A simple method to control each computer with VNC.

Ultr@VNC (Remote Control for your Network/Internet) - Installation, and Settings

:sun:

 

[MBony]

Originally posted by: Cooky
Sounds like you're better off w/ a VPN solution, given that you have multiple sites. Or is that out of question due to the budget?

What kind of $ would a VPN solution run?

 

[Cooky]

You can download UltraVNC as JackMDS has suggested, and see how you like it. I believe you'll still be able to connect to only 1 client host per WAN IP through port forwarding though.

The Cisco Pix 501 that JRock mentioned costs about $380 a piece. It usually comes w/ 10 client seats so it's right about the size that you need per location.

If you need a cheaper solution w/ more concurrent connections per device, you can get a Watchguard's Firebox Edge X5
They're about $320 a piece. We just got one of these last week as a matter of fact.

Those two should give you rock solid performance for your needs. If they're overkill, or way over your budget, look for Linksys or DLink's VPN routers. They cost about $130.

 

[Fardringle]

I use VNC to connect to multiple PCs inside private networks quite frequently.

Simply forward a port in the 5900-5999 range on the router to the internal IP address of the computer you want to respond to that port. Set the destination computer's VNC server service to listen to that port number. Then, from your end (outside the network) just use your VNC client to connect to the WAN IP address of the network, and the port number of the internal computer you want to access.

i.e.: use "24.25.26.1:5950" to connect to a the computer on the 24.25.26.1 network that is listening to port 5950.

It takes a bit of management to set up, and then you have to remember which computer belongs to each port (I keep them all in a simple spreadsheet) but it works well for me.

Another option, and one that I use for computers that I don't feel like setting up port forwarding on, is to have the various internal PCs just run the VNC service on the default 5900 port. Connect to the one dedicated PC that you have forwarded on the router at the remote site and then from that computer connect to the other PCs on the internal network. You can even connect using their NetBIOS names if you do it this way so you don't have to worry about static IP addresses. This is a much simpler way to set things up initially since you don't have to configure any of the other PCs on the network at all except to install the VNC service, but it can be quirky and slow since you are remotely controlling a PC through another remote control session.

Whatever you end up doing, VNC is free (and Ultr@VNC has some great features like remote file transfers) so the price is right even if it takes a little bit of time to get set up initially.

 

[skyking]

Originally posted by: Cooky
You can download UltraVNC as JackMDS has suggested, and see how you like it. I believe you'll still be able to connect to only 1 client host per WAN IP through port forwarding though.

The Cisco Pix 501 that JRock mentioned costs about $380 a piece. It usually comes w/ 10 client seats so it's right about the size that you need per location.

If you need a cheaper solution w/ more concurrent connections per device, you can get a Watchguard's Firebox Edge X5
They're about $320 a piece. We just got one of these last week as a matter of fact.

Those two should give you rock solid performance for your needs. If they're overkill, or way over your budget, look for Linksys or DLink's VPN routers. They cost about $130.

http://forum.ultravnc.net/Tons of information here at ultravnc's forum.
That part about one host per WAN IP is not true. you can usually forward 10 or more ports in the typical router, and ultravnc can be set to listen on the servers for 5900~59whatever. You can forward the ports on to the IP's of the computers.
Then you connect via IP or hostname in the server like this: blahblah.com::5901 or 123.123.123.123::5904
Another strategy is to have one administrative comp ther you can connect to, and then connect out to the machines on the LAN from that one.

If you really get going with remote management, this looks very interesting. Safe mode operations, and a ton of other features. http://www.vncscan.com/

Looks like the trial is free, and the license is $40.