remote software for network helpdesk application

Zeddicus

Member
Oct 10, 1999
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Hello all,

Ive seen the previous threads on remote software, but the software suggested, for the most part doesnt seem to address the application im looking at software for.

I'm a network admin for a branch plant of a large corporation. we have probably 200+ PCs on our LAN. I currently use remote desktop to access other users pc's for administration purposes which has its limitations in what I need to do.

What I want is a PCAnywhere type of software, that will let me log onto a users machine without cancelling their current session. I need to see the screen as they see it, so i can address the issues they are having. Pc Anywhere would probably work perfectly, but I am more than likely going to have to pitch a cheaper option to my plant manager.

Also, with 200 pc's on my network, I really do not want to have to physically walk across the plant to install host software on their computer and then return to my office to begin the remote session. So, in other words, if the computer I need to remote to needs an applet installed, I want to be able to do that remotely from my PC.

Ive looked at several trail versions of software and only one so far seem to meet most of my requirements.
Its called Dameware Mini Remote Control. It would also be nice but i guess not completely necessary if that program would not install a tray icon or at least anything readily noticable to the user, which is what the dameware applet does. It intsalls a tray icon that has administration settings that would allow a user to mess with authentication settings for that machine, which is a no, no. I havent played around with it enough to see if there is a way around it, but its still unsettling.

What I would like to know is what other software is out there that I can contrast and compare to in function as well as price that will do what i need?
 

Zeddicus

Member
Oct 10, 1999
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Well I think I ommited one piece of necessary information. While we do use remote desktop, probably 70% of the PC's in our plant are older and run windows 2000 and a very small percentage run NT4, 98 or 95.

We do have a few servers running windows 2000 server and we have them setup as hosts to accept remote desktop connections, but I cant say we have ever tried to set up a windows 2000 professional up as a host. I know you can install remote desktop on windows 2000 machines using the windows XP Pro CD, but doesnt this just install the client software? If its possible, how do you set up a 2000 workstation to be a host?

All in all, I'm not sure how good of an option that would be, as it would probably require at least some local installation/configuration on every PC in the plant not running Windows XP Pro.

Id like to be able to do this on a need per machine basis. For example if a user calles me and has a particular problem that requires me dealing with an error message or whatever on their machine, I would like to be able to just quickly remote to their machine and if need be, have the software quickly install any needed applet on their machine and then be able to deal with the problem as they are seeing it. Then hopefully when I log off, there wont be anything noticeable to them that they can mess with that would hinder my ability to connect to them the next time i need to. Or at least be able to lock down their ability to change settings before I log off.
 

Talksmartz

Member
Sep 24, 2004
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I would recommend looking into both WinVNC and another program called Remote Administrator (or Radmin). I have had good experiences with both in the past. Personally I lean towards Radmin for the versatility, but VNC seems to be much more common in corporate environments
 

Zeddicus

Member
Oct 10, 1999
67
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Thanks for the suggestions

I tried the winvnc and the radmin. In the short time I played around with them, I couldnt see where you could install the host applet remotely from another machine. It could be there I guess and I may have missed it, I just didnt see any option for that.

I also spent some more time with the dameware and found that from the administrative side, I can control the applet on the host side pretty well remotely, including completely removing the applet if i choose. Since I am mostly looking at computers in the 400mhz and under range, the less installed and running on the systems the better, so I think this might just be the best solution.

Thanks for the help everyone.