Linking two computers - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

BUDD206 · 07-24-2003, 07:05 AM

Can someone tell me if there is a safe way to link A computer at my office with one at my home so both could be used at the same time.
Thanks for the help !

neo23 · 07-24-2003, 07:39 AM

Your best bet is probably VNC. It has a built-in http daemon to accept incoming requests via the internet. If you're using a firewall you'll have to open the particular ports that are required by VNC.

Google up TightVNC as it's the version that i've had the best luck with.

hrdwareguy · 07-24-2003, 08:54 AM

If one of the machines is running winXP Pro, you can use remote desktop to access it. Like neo23 said, if you are behind a firewall, you will have to open the ports.

ChipX86 · 07-24-2003, 12:41 PM

I too would recommend VNC. It's a pretty decent protocol, handles network instabilities a little better than such things as PC Anywhere (which can really screw up if you have some packet loss), is more cross-platform than a lot of the alternatives, and is free. I even use it for accessing my PDA at times :P

BUDD206 · 07-24-2003, 02:04 PM

Thanks , I will try to find VNC and try it.
I use ZoneAlarm , not sure how to set up the ports !

Pragma · 07-24-2003, 02:08 PM

When you start up the VNC server, ZoneAlarm (if I remember correctly) will ask you if you want to allow that application to be a server. It should then configure itself to allow traffic through.

lathos42 · 07-24-2003, 11:33 PM

Another alternative if you have firewalls to go through would be to sign up for GoToMyPC.com. I used their service in the past (before work got all weird about it due to how it can circumvent the firewall). The service works well, and the way it works is your host PC keeps sending signals to their servers, and their servers tell your host when your guest PC wants to connect. You connect through their servers, not directly from PC to PC. Just another though

Tecelote · 07-26-2003, 10:29 AM

WinVNC (usually free) is good, Remote Anything (not free) is faster and lower footprint but requires both the master and slave components. VNC just needs a browser on the remote end and the ports open to the machine you want to control.

cliffxpro · 07-26-2003, 12:22 PM

Gotta ditto everyone else. VNC is great. PC Anywhere et al. are decent, but why pay for what VNC does free?

charliex · 07-26-2003, 11:46 PM

TightVNC i found is better than VNC, especially for across internet work.
It works with VNC clients and servers if you only have one end updated, but needs both client and server to be TightVNC to get the real benefits.

07-24-2003, 07:05 AM	#1 (permalink)
BUDD206 Upright	Linking two computers Can someone tell me if there is a safe way to link A computer at my office with one at my home so both could be used at the same time. Thanks for the help !

07-24-2003, 08:54 AM	#3 (permalink)
hrdwareguy "Officer, I was in fear for my life" Location: Oklahoma City	If one of the machines is running winXP Pro, you can use remote desktop to access it. Like neo23 said, if you are behind a firewall, you will have to open the ports. __________________ Gun Control is hitting what you aim at Aim for the TFP, Donate Today

07-24-2003, 02:08 PM	#6 (permalink)
Pragma I am Winter Born Location: Alexandria, VA	When you start up the VNC server, ZoneAlarm (if I remember correctly) will ask you if you want to allow that application to be a server. It should then configure itself to allow traffic through. __________________ Eat antimatter, Posleen-boy!

07-26-2003, 10:29 AM	#8 (permalink)
Tecelote Crazy Location: Tacoma, WA	WinVNC (usually free) is good, Remote Anything (not free) is faster and lower footprint but requires both the master and slave components. VNC just needs a browser on the remote end and the ports open to the machine you want to control. __________________ Tecelote ~ Look at what you have; Look at what you want. Fix what you have in such a way as to get what you want. ~

07-24-2003, 07:39 AM	#2 (permalink)
neo23 Upright	Your best bet is probably VNC. It has a built-in http daemon to accept incoming requests via the internet. If you're using a firewall you'll have to open the particular ports that are required by VNC. Google up TightVNC as it's the version that i've had the best luck with.

07-24-2003, 12:41 PM	#4 (permalink)
ChipX86 Tilted	I too would recommend VNC. It's a pretty decent protocol, handles network instabilities a little better than such things as PC Anywhere (which can really screw up if you have some packet loss), is more cross-platform than a lot of the alternatives, and is free. I even use it for accessing my PDA at times :P

07-24-2003, 02:04 PM	#5 (permalink)
BUDD206 Upright	Thanks , I will try to find VNC and try it. I use ZoneAlarm , not sure how to set up the ports !

07-24-2003, 11:33 PM	#7 (permalink)
lathos42 Upright Location: Michigan	Another alternative if you have firewalls to go through would be to sign up for GoToMyPC.com. I used their service in the past (before work got all weird about it due to how it can circumvent the firewall). The service works well, and the way it works is your host PC keeps sending signals to their servers, and their servers tell your host when your guest PC wants to connect. You connect through their servers, not directly from PC to PC. Just another though

07-26-2003, 12:22 PM	#9 (permalink)
cliffxpro Crazy	Gotta ditto everyone else. VNC is great. PC Anywhere et al. are decent, but why pay for what VNC does free?

07-26-2003, 11:46 PM	#10 (permalink)
charliex Junkie Location: North Hollywood	TightVNC i found is better than VNC, especially for across internet work. It works with VNC clients and servers if you only have one end updated, but needs both client and server to be TightVNC to get the real benefits.