Simple Tools Access Distant PCs
It's funny when a younger generation invents a term for something that people have done for millennia. Does the under-30 crowd really think that until they discovered and named "multi-tasking" nobody did more than one thing at a time? Though I've multi-tasked since long before these newbies were born, the challenge I hadn't yet overcome was "multi-placing" — being in two places at once.
Today's remote access technology solves that problem, letting you connect to and use a distant computer. Don't mistake this for old-fashioned remote access via Telnet or other clunky text-based keyboarding. You can connect a PC where you are to a target PC's desktop, mouse, and keyboard and operate it as if you were sitting in front of it. I'll describe two ways to do this using nearly any Windows version. A future article will deal with powerful built-in Windows XP tools.
VNC (Virtual Network Computing) is a pleasant application for two reasons — it does what it promises and it's free for personal use. Installation is simple, even with the small tweak needed to allow use through your PC's firewall. Several variations of VNC software exist, but I like RealVNC. To obtain it, from the RealVNC home page click Download It Now, then click "Download & use" under the "Free Edition" column. Follow the straightforward process to install the server and viewer software.
Starting VNC in Server Mode is what enables a PC for remote access and control. The first thing that needs to be done after starting the VNC Server is to set up a password to control remote access into the PC. To do this, right click on the VNC Tool Tray icon, click Properties, then click Authentication, then VNC Password Authentication, and finally, Configure to create the password.
If you're running a software firewall on the PC that's running the VNC Server, you'll need to define VNC access in order for the firewall to allow it through. Under Exceptions (Windows XP firewall) or your firewall's equivalent, click Add Port, then add VNC for port 5900 using TCP.
You'll access the PC running the VNC Server from another PC running the VNC Viewer software. To connect, you'll need the IP (Internet Protocol) address of the VNC Server PC. From a command prompt (Under XP, click Start, All Programs, Accessories, Command Prompt), issue the command "ipconfig" and note the IP address.
For the PC that will be running the VNC Viewer, install VNC, click on the VNC Viewer icon, enter the VNC Server PC's IP address and password, and voila! You're now controlling the remote VNC Server PC!
By default, VNC installs both server and viewer software, so if you have multiple PCs you can view and control any PC from any other PC. While remote access to PCs within the home is great, allowing access without having to run up or down the stairs, the real value comes from remote access from the office or while traveling.
However, in order for this outside-the-home type of remote access to work, the PCs to be accessed must be connected to the Internet, preferably via a broadband service. If a router is wired between your Internet connection and the PCs, the IP address may be local to the router and not reachable from the outside. Many routers can be configured to direct specific port traffic to a particular PC, thus solving the access problem, but this solution is rendered useless if your ISP is one that blocks externally-initiated connections to a router.
There is a second remote access solution which is both simple and elegant. It is the GoToMyPC commercial service. To use this product, go to the company's Web site to register and create your account, then download the Host software (the equivalent of the VNC Server). After starting the software, right click on the GoToMyPC icon in the System Tray to set preferences such as an access code.
To set up the GoToMyPC Client PC (the equivalent of the VNC Viewer), log into your account on the GoToMyPC Web site, pick the PC you wish to access, and enter the access code you defined for that PC. If Java is installed on the Client PC, a Java applet will be downloaded (you may be asked to approve this) then you'll be connected to the Host PC. If Java isn't available on the Client PC, a viewer program will be installed onto the Client PC's desktop. Double click the viewer program's icon and you'll get connected to the Host PC.
With these "multi-placing" tools, I'm looking forward to being able to work on my wife's PC while sitting at my own, and perhaps being able to reach my own PC while traveling.
Specifications
Product: Virtual Network Computer (VNC)
Manufacturer: RealVNC
Price: Free for personal use.
URL: www.realvnc.com
Product: GoToMyPC
Manufacturer: Citrix Online
Price: One PC: $20/month, $179/year; Two PCs: $30/month,
$269/year
URL: www.gotomypc.com
AARP does not recommend or endorse any of these products or web sites. Please be advised that there are other similar products and web sites available which were not reviewed and are not listed here.
