Remote developers... do any of you use 4G/LTE?

[robphelan]

Xpost from Mobile/gadgets..

I'm going to be doing some remote development and will not always be at the house where I have ethernet / wifi. So, I'm looking into AT&T/Sprint/Verizon as a mobile data provider.

I'm curious if 4G LTE is fast enough for a citrix connection into the IDE. It will be SAP ABAP development, so there is definitely some overhead involved.

I do tend to get frustrated when there is 1 - 1.5 second lag between keystrokes and screen updates.

Can you comment on your experiences?

 

[slugg]

I've tried it and it's downright horrible. If you have a option for using a local IDE, then it's doable. But even then, I've had problems attaching a debugger to Tomcat via an LTE connection. Over VPN, it gets even worse. If you have the option for a local IDE *and* runtime environment, then you should be okay. So basically, you'd just be using the LTE connection for source/version control.

 

[smackababy]

I think it depends on your LTE. Mine is generally around 10 up / 10 down, so it would be okay, but I wouldn't want to use it exclusively.

If you're really only using it for source control, and possible database access (if you're connecting to a database), I think it might work.

When I work from home, I use Wifi and I even dislike that. It could be that our VPN is just slow though.

 

[Net]

I get 53.48 Mbps down 7.99 Mbps up w/ T-Mobile. Depends on your area and provider.

 

[Markbnj]

I get 53.48 Mbps down 7.99 Mbps up w/ T-Mobile. Depends on your area and provider.

Aside for up/down speeds the stability of the connection can be important for some uses, such as accessing source repos.

 

[robphelan]

I've tried it and it's downright horrible. If you have a option for using a local IDE, then it's doable. But even then, I've had problems attaching a debugger to Tomcat via an LTE connection. Over VPN, it gets even worse. If you have the option for a local IDE *and* runtime environment, then you should be okay. So basically, you'd just be using the LTE connection for source/version control.

The SAP IDE is pretty heavy.. there's lots and lots of on the fly compilations, forward/backwards navigation within the code, and heavy DB access.

crap.

doesn't sound like I'll be happy with LTE speeds.

on the flip side, wifi at work is pretty decent for development work. there's barely any lag. I'll have to check what speeds we're getting in the office and compare that to what's available commercially.

 

[Fox5]

Verizon is the only company that currently also an LTE plan for the home.
http://www.techhive.com/article/254900/verizon_s_4g_lte_to_the_home_service_launches_thursday.html

But you'd be better off using a wired connection.

 

[Net]

Aside for up/down speeds the stability of the connection can be important for some uses, such as accessing source repos.

that is a downside. the connection will drop once or twice during the day and you'll need to reconnect.

 

[KentState]

I use my LTE all the time for Citrix and VPN access. Just as fast as my home internet when I'm out. It really depends on where you are and the strength of the connection.

 

[slugg]

I use my LTE all the time for Citrix and VPN access. Just as fast as my home internet when I'm out. It really depends on where you are and the strength of the connection.

This is true. The key term here is "depends." Personally, I wouldn't rely on it as a primary connection.