Need remote networking solution

[Chris Falner]

I have 2 PCs, each running XP Home, in two different locations, one at my
workshop and one at home.
They both have dial-up internet access.
I would like to be able to access the one at the workshop from the one at
home.
I would prefer to be able to run applications remotely, but even file
sharing would be a good start.
I have been told that XP Home doesn't have something called "remote
desktop", so I don't think I can use that. Is this correct?
Can I use something called VPN in my situation, or would I need a dedicated
server or something like that to use VPN?
A friend has a copy of "PC Anywhere" (From Symantec, I think) that he
doesn't want. Would "PC Anywhere" be a good solution?

Thanks very much,

Chris

 

[Phil \(purplehaz\)]

1 - Yes, xp home does not have remote desktop, true.
2 - VPN would be if you needed to secure and encrypt the remote connection,
a virtual private network. You need something like xp pro or a server
version that does terminal server to do this.
3 - Any program like pc anywhere should work fine, although pc anywhere
would be my last choice as it passes its passwords in plain text for anyone
with a packet sniffer to see. I'd go with Remote Admin or VNC.
4 - Since both computer are on dialup, remote access isn't really going to
work anyway. Both computers would have to be online in order for these type
of remote access programs to work. Usually you don't leave a dialup
connection connected all the time. Usually when your on broadband it makes
sense to use remote access programs.
5 - There is a way to "dial" into a remote computer, but again, I don't
think xp home can do this. I think you need terminal server in xp pro or a
server version of windows.

IMO, basicly, remote access is useless when on dialup connections. To slow
and both dialups have to be connected in order for it to work(how do you
connect the remote computer to the net if your not there).

 

[Julie]

How about using NetMeeting? Go to Start, Run, type in
CONF--go through the wizard (enter name, email addy,
etc.). Go to Help, About, to figure out your IP and enter
that into your call box from other machine (you can setup
Auto-response, but might need static IP for this, and not
sure of security), then you can share desktops. This is a
million times easier if you have someone on the other end
to get you in (takes 5 secs). Dunno if that helps.

 

[Art Vandelay]

Thanks for the reply.

I may be wrong about this, but I got the impression that
PC Anywhere can directly dial from one PC to the other,
so if my workshop PC would be always on, or set to wake
on modem, I could dial into it. I'll have to get clarification on
this.

Chris

 

[Chris Falner]

1 - Yes, xp home does not have remote desktop, true.
2 - VPN would be if you needed to secure and encrypt the remote connection,
a virtual private network. You need something like xp pro or a server
version that does terminal server to do this.
3 - Any program like pc anywhere should work fine, although pc anywhere
would be my last choice as it passes its passwords in plain text for anyone
with a packet sniffer to see. I'd go with Remote Admin or VNC.
4 - Since both computer are on dialup, remote access isn't really going to
work anyway. Both computers would have to be online in order for these type
of remote access programs to work. Usually you don't leave a dialup
connection connected all the time. Usually when your on broadband it makes
sense to use remote access programs.
5 - There is a way to "dial" into a remote computer, but again, I don't
think xp home can do this. I think you need terminal server in xp pro or a
server version of windows.

IMO, basicly, remote access is useless when on dialup connections. To slow
and both dialups have to be connected in order for it to work(how do you
connect the remote computer to the net if your not there).

 

[Chris Falner]

(Sorry for the duplicate posts. My news reader is messed up.)

Thanks for the reply.

I may be wrong about this, but I got the impression that
PC Anywhere can directly dial from one PC to the other,
so if my workshop PC would be always on, or set to wake
on modem, I could dial into it. I'll have to get clarification on
this.

Chris

 

[Phil \(purplehaz\)]

Could be. I don't use pc anywhere, so you have to consult their support or
help files.