Remote Computer Access - Engraving Etc. Forum

From:	Engravin' Dave (DATAKES)	31 Dec 2006
To:	ALL	1 of 14

5626.1

I currently use a service called GoToMyPC to access my work network remotely. It has been a good service, but as is usual with this type of connection, it's functional, but lags just a little bit.

As progressive as technology is, are there any other remote connection alternatives that might be a faster? I'm currently spending $100 annually on the GoToMyPC service. I'm not looking to break the bank to make a change, but if there is a significant speed difference, I may consider paying a bit more.

EDITED: 31 Dec 2006 by DATAKES

From:	Carl (CSEWELL)	31 Dec 2006
To:	Engravin' Dave (DATAKES)	2 of 14

5626.2 In reply to 5626.1
Dave; I use Microsoft's VPN (virtual private network) and RealVNC on my Windows 2000 (and below) machines. The VPN lets me securely access a PC over the internet and RealVNC iprovides remote desktop control. If you are just doing file transfer and don't need to run the computer, you can just use Microsoft's VPN. I can't vouch for the speed since I mainly use it from a dial-up at home to DSL at work. You can also use RealVNC internally if you don't like Microsoft XPs remote desktop or are running sub-XP computers. Oh, both are free! Carl Guntersville Laser Engraving Guntersville, AL http://www.GuntersvilleLaser.com

From:	Engravin' Dave (DATAKES)	31 Dec 2006
To:	Carl (CSEWELL)	3 of 14

5626.3 In reply to 5626.2

Thanks for the response Carl.

I do transfer files frequently, but also do a lot of accounting work, which requires me to have remote dektop control. I do have broadband connections at both ends, so I assume that should help maximize the speed, short of going with a T1 line.

From:	Stunt Engraver (DGL)	31 Dec 2006
To:	ALL	4 of 14

5626.4
With remote access to computers, with applications as mentioned here and in cases where tech support people can peruse a customer's computer to check preference settings etc., how vulnerable are our computers to uninvited access? The implications are frightening, to say the least. David "The Stunt Engraver" Lavaneri DGL Engraving Port Hueneme, CA

From:	Carl (CSEWELL)	31 Dec 2006
To:	Engravin' Dave (DATAKES)	5 of 14

5626.5 In reply to 5626.3
Microsoft's VPN offers compression, but I've never monitored it to see how efficient or fast it is. I'm not sure how your other service works, but the Microsoft VPN would be a point-to-point connection and should be as fast as the connection. Bypassing encryption might give you a little more speed. Microsoft's VPN is a software implementation, which is naturally going to be slower than a hardware implementation of VPN. Carl Guntersville Laser Engraving Guntersville, AL http://www.GuntersvilleLaser.com

From:	Carl (CSEWELL)	31 Dec 2006
To:	Engravin' Dave (DATAKES)	7 of 14

5626.7 In reply to 5626.6
Here's Microsoft KB article on it: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/308208 Overview of VPN A virtual private network (VPN) is a means of connecting to a private network (such as your office network) by way of a public network, such as the Internet. This combines the virtues of a dial-up connection to a dial-up server with the ease and flexibility of an Internet connection. By using an Internet connection, you can travel worldwide and still, in most places, connect to your office with a local call to the nearest Internet access phone number. If you have a high-speed Internet connection (such as cable or DSL) at your computer (and at your office), you can communicate with your office at full Internet speed, which is much faster than any dial-up connection using an analog modem. VPNs use authenticated links to ensure that only authorized users can connect to your network, and they use encryption to ensure that data that travels over the Internet can't be intercepted and used by others. Windows achieves this security using Point-to-Point Tunneling Protocol (PPTP) or Layer Two Tunneling Protocol (L2TP). VPN technology also allows a corporation to connect to its branch offices or to other companies over a public network (such as the Internet) while maintaining secure communications. The VPN connection across the Internet logically operates as a dedicated wide area network (WAN) link. Carl Guntersville Laser Engraving Guntersville, AL http://www.GuntersvilleLaser.com

From:	Engravin' Dave (DATAKES)	31 Dec 2006
To:	Dave Jones (DAVERJ)	11 of 14

5626.11 In reply to 5626.10
My home router is a wireless/hardwire combo (for lack of the technical terms) and less then a month old. My router at workis a couple years old and is only hardwire. I'll check it out.

From:	Ruben (QUIEROLEARN)	1 Jan 2007
To:	Engravin' Dave (DATAKES)	12 of 14

5626.12 In reply to 5626.1

Dave,

what version are you using?

I have been using this service for like 2 years now in the bigining it was not as great, right now I'm very happy with it.

I have a store and a shop, my wife runs the store and I do the production in the shop and there is thinks that have to be print/produce in the store and since my wife don't have the adequate graphics knowledge I do it from my shop using GoToMyPC and I love it.

Currently I'm using Version 6.0 Beta... is very fast and I love the new features.

Ruben

EDITED: 1 Jan 2007 by QUIEROLEARN

From:	Engravin' Dave (DATAKES)	1 Jan 2007
To:	Ruben (QUIEROLEARN)	13 of 14

5626.13 In reply to 5626.12

Ruben,

I am using version 5.0 Build 370. I've used it for about 3.5 years. Did you recenty upgrade from 5.0 to 6.0? If so, did you notice any speed improvements with upgrade?

The speed is not so bad that I would drop the service, I'm just striving to be as efficient as I can.

From:	Ruben (QUIEROLEARN)	1 Jan 2007
To:	Engravin' Dave (DATAKES)	14 of 14

5626.14 In reply to 5626.13

Dave,

more speed? well yes... not huge improvement in that part but yes

also there is a feature they call a Universal Printer with this you do not need to setup any printer to print on your local printer from your host computer you just hit print and prints to your default printer on your local computer.

Also in this new version you can listen your host system audio (music from a CD or anything ) also now you can sync files in folders back and forth from your host to your local and vice versa... and a couple other features I can't remember right now.

I did upgrade in October... they didn't send you a invitation to be a beta tester?

Ruben

EDITED: 1 Jan 2007 by QUIEROLEARN