Best way to connect 2 W2K PCs long distance? 2

[Antonimo]

Two machines running W2K in different countries.

What is the best way to "connect" to the other machine accross the Internet?

Can it be achieved with "Map Network Drive" from Windows Explorer's Tools menu, or "net use" command?

Both computers are using Sygate Personal Firewall.

Any advice or recommendations would be appreciated.

Is there a simple software solution?

I would rather a simple solution than an outlay on proprietary software such as Laplink etc.

 

[aquias]

I don't know much about the firewall you're using, but I would say go with a VPN Tunnel to each machine. That would be the best way to have a "secure" link between the two systems.

Once the VPN is up, you can then browse each other's shared folders via network neighborhood. However, I will warn you, that browsing remote systems in this manner (even on a T1)can be very slow.

What's the point of this connection? Is it just to share files securely?

 

[Antonimo]

Hi aquias,

Several reasons why I want to be able to do this:

First, we do need to share files from time to time. Secondly, I often need to help my father at the other end with maintaining his PC.

Does VPN stand for "virtual private network"? How does one go about setting this up?

Is there another solution? Ideally, we would like the connection to be a quick as possible - Does this mean additional software? If so, what would anyone recommend?

 

[bcastner]

Any of the freeware VNC products.

http://www.realvnc.com/

http://www.tightvnc.com/

Commercial alternatives:
Go2MyPC:

https://www.gotomypc.com/

PcAnywhere, easily found on E-bay:

http://www.symantec.com/pcanywhere/Consumer/

 

[shtick]

I would recommend real vnc as well. I use it for work all the time. Yeah, it's jumpy but it saves me a drive.
This will allow you to control the other pc. Not sure about file transferring though. I never tried it. I believe PCAnywhere has FTP like capalities as well as remote control.

 

[Davetoo]

Word of warning about VNC, do not use it without having first setup a VPN tunnel. VNC themselves warn against using it without a VPN tunnel as it is not secure.

I'm Certifiable, not certified.
It just means my answers are from experience, not a book.

 

[bcastner]

lander215,

I think you comment a good one. But a VPN connection for remote file transfers and remote assistance to his Dad seems a little over the top.

 

[Davetoo]

It may seem like that until one of the two systems is hacked, then suddenly it would have been a great idea to setup the VPN. Most DSL/Cable routers have VPN capability, in fact, I won't use any that don't have it.

I'm Certifiable, not certified.
It just means my answers are from experience, not a book.

 

[bcastner]

I do not want to push the point, but a decent firewall can do wonders. In this particular case, getting any connection to his Dad should be rated a success.

I agree with you about VPN, but its security is designed to handle 'Man-in-the-Middle" thefts, not malware.

Best,
Bill

 

[Antonimo]

Thanks for all of the suggestions.

Been trying out the VNC solution...

We have successfully set up RealVNC which allowed remote control of the other's PC, but we were unable to find any ftp abilities.

Browsing Dad's computer in an explorer like interface would be best...any suggestions?

Can the computers be set up through "My Network Places" or "Map Network Drive"?

Is a pay-for software such as PCAnywhere or Laplink FileMover the best option?

 

[bcastner]

Read the VNC manual.

You really should not need an FTP service or a mapped drive letter to transfer files.

 

[chriseubank]

Remove RealVNC and install TightVNC. It has file transfer capabilities that you can enable through the server setup interface.

I believe the licensing is also GNUish.


C

 

[Davetoo]

If you want to use VNC in the open, go ahead. But if you read the VNC manual, they warn against it.

I setup VPN's for clients utilizing two Linksys VPN routers. Very secure and easy to setup, total out of pocket is about $300, including hardware and my time.

But, I deal with people who understand that $300 is cheap compared to having their data and files stolen/deleted/lost.

I'm Certifiable, not certified.
It just means my answers are from experience, not a book.

 

[Antonimo]

I think the advice given has been good, but I do not really know what a VPN Tunnel is, nor how to set one up with our existing hardware.

TightVNC seemed like the answer with file tranfer capabilities, but I am concerned about security.

I would really just like to be able to access the contents of Dad's computer in an explorer-like interface to allow me to move / copy files and see what he has there.

Can this be achieved with ftp software or with windows itself?

 

[chriseubank]

Whoops, the one with the file transfer is not Tightvnc, but rather Ultr@vnc.. sorry about the confusion

 

[Antonimo]

Hi chriseubank,

Thanks for the suggestion of Ultr@VNC.

I have been to the site and I shall try to get it going.

Will this offer a secure method? Would it need a "VPN tunnel" as suggested by lander215? I don't really know what that is!

Thanks again - I'll post again to let everyone know how it works.

 

[Antonimo]

I have been using Ultr@VNC for several hours this afternoon.

We configured the firewalls to accept the connections and everything is working well. Desktop control and file transfer are very easy and fast.

Ultr@VNC is an excellent program; very easy to use and it comes from the sourceforge.net

It is always great to find a solution on sourceforge.

Thanks to chriseubank for this suggestion.

 

[Antonimo]

Ultr@VNC is an excellent piece of software.

It is fast and easy to use.

File transfers are also easy.

Ultr@VNC comes from the sourceforge.net stable. I always like to use this type of software.

Thanks to chriseubank for this suggestion.