Remote Desktop capability with Novell

[SpyderMan1234]

I'm part of an organization running a Netware 6.5 network for several hundred users. Lately, they have been clamoring for remote access to the applications on their computers. I'm not the network admin and know very little specifics about our network. All that I know is that whether it be from laptops at home or a kiosk at an airport, our users need to be able to run applications just as if they were sitting in front of their workstation here at the office.

As far as Novell products, what are my options for accomplishing this? Forgive me for such a simple question, but Novell's site isn't providing me with a very concrete answer. I have read about Access Manager, but I can't tell if that's a product that one uses in addition to a remote access/desktop product, or if it will provide me with remote access by itself. Will Novell's Web Services provide me with what I'm looking for? If not, which products should I investigate?


Thanks in advance for any help, hints or suggestions. I greatly appreciate them all.

Jeff

 

[smoppett]

We don't use a Novell product but use VNC availanble from

http://www.realvnc.com/.

There are free and paid for versions. There are servers for Windows machines, Netware servers and Linux boxes, as well as clients for Windows, Linux, pocket PCs.

But you do need to connect to an IP address, which can be tricky if you are using a local Ip address behind a firewall. It is easier using VPNs to allow people to connect from fixed locations such as their home or another office.

There are big security issues allowing users access to machines from anywhere.

In the UK the latest edition of PC Pro magaizne has a review of several remote control software and VNC comes out as best value.

Simon

 

[LawnBoy]

Zenworks has lots of options for remote users. Excellent product, if a bit daunting to setup initially.


"We must fall back upon the old axiom that when all other contingencies fail, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth." - Sherlock Holmes

 

[marvhuffaker]

The remote capabilities in ZENworks is for administrators to access workstations for troubleshooting and management. It is not for end users to connect to other PC's. I suppose that it could be configured so end users could use it, but that is not the main usage.

One thing you don't mention is the OS you are running. Using a kiosk at the airport further complicates the ability to do what you are trying to do.

In short, there is no good answer. The challenge is really a Workstation issue independent of anything you are running on the backend. It's not really a NetWare specific issue. Using Windows or Oracle or Linux or Mac, you still need a way to access services remotely regardless of what your applications, services, or other needs are.

You could use services like Gotomypc, as a start. Very portable, but the cost is a little high for that many users. Or you could setup a VPN solution and then use VNC or RDP to access systems, but at a Kiosk you're not going to be able to do VPN.





Marvin Huffaker, MCNE

http://www.redjuju.com

 

[LawnBoy]

But Zenworks does allow admins to manage the apps loaded for remote/roaming users. This is what I was refering to, not some remote desktop solution.

Nothing but a fully web-enable suite will work for some anonymous kiosk.


"We must fall back upon the old axiom that when all other contingencies fail, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth." - Sherlock Holmes

 

[SpyderMan1234]

Thanks guys. This has given me some valuable insight. I appreciate the comments.

 

[mstoumba]

Jeff

Remote access all depends on what your trying to access. Does you company provide a VPN connection to the office for your users? If your users just want access to there files then Novell Virtual office will do the trick . Its built into Netware 6.5 but is does take some setup. Once setup, you access it from a browser like this HTTP;//VO.mycomp.com. If you are trying to access stuff like access databases you will need something like a CITRIX server or something like a server running VM-ware with clients on it.

 

[bbwarrior]

We use Citrix for running specific applications over the web and clientless VPN tunnels to allow laptops and remote users access to files. A few selected users also use remote desktop available with XP once tunneled with the companies VPN. Seems to work ok. No one has complained yet.
If you're looking for something a little more mobile, We recently started testing a new product that's just been released by a company called Wicksoft (

http://www.wicksoft.com).

The app allows access to files stored on Novell servers from Blackberry devices. We were quite impressed with the product as it seems to integrate very well with existing files servers and the eDir groups and users.

cheers.
-B.