Advice on the best Remote PC Software

[ady199]

I'm going away for the Christmas holidays and I'm taking my laptop with me but I need the ability to control my Desktop PC which is locate at home.

 

Can anyone advise me on the best Remote PC software to install and use.

 

Thanks in advance

[remixedcat]

Cisco Meraki Systems Manager - https://meraki.cisco.com/products/systems-manager

 

Full remote VNC based control as well as realtime device management/info.

 

Remote Client status:

 

NOTE: I recommend using TightVNC for the VNC software

 

Remote Desktop access:

[Nick H. Supervisor]

It depends on what kind of work you want to do, but I've always found that TeamViewer does the trick.

[remixedcat]

Teamviewer requires remote approval on both sides... if the PC is rebooted remote access gets shut off (app was instructed to end session) the user can't reconnect without the other system being interacted with to start the session

 

MSM is non-interactive, meaning no interaction at the remote computer is needed to start the session. You can do it any time.

[ady199]

Thanks for your suggestions.

 

Happy holidays!!

[remixedcat]

Just make sure you install MSM and test it out first as well as let it fully get client details in the system before the trip! it takes on average 5-20 minutes deping on the network conditions as well as the computer's specs. feel free to ask me for help with it.

[Aergan]

Teamviewer requires remote approval on both sides... if the PC is rebooted remote access gets shut off (app was instructed to end session) the user can't reconnect without the other system being interacted with to start the session

 

MSM is non-interactive, meaning no interaction at the remote computer is needed to start the session. You can do it any time.

 

You can set up TeamViewer for unattended access using a pre-configured password on your management account and access via their website (client or just browser only), mobile or another full TeamViewer client install.

 

Remote reboot and resume works very well now. Wake On Lan works as well so long as you preconfigure either the target device or other clients on the network.

 

I regaulary access a virtual Windows 8.1 workstation at home from work to test our external access to services. My work machine is actually a Server 2008 R2 Citrix session running IE9, which it still works very well to connect to it.

I've also remotely sent a wake up request to my Hackintosh, connected to it, performed some tasks, then sent it to reboot to Windows 8.1 and connected back to it via TeamViewer.

[xendrome]

Cisco Meraki Systems Manager - https://meraki.cisco.com/products/systems-manager

 

Full remote VNC based control as well as realtime device management/info.

 

Remote Client status:

ClientMap.png

 

NOTE: I recommend using TightVNC for the VNC software

 

Remote Desktop access:

RemoteDesktop.png

 

 

Seriously, you just recommended an Enterprise product with likely expensive licencing when there are TONS of other free options for personal use on one computer. Why do you ALWAYS recommend something that is expensive and enterprise level for something that could just be a simple task for the user asking?

 

As said, Teamviewer is fine for his needs and yes you can set it up for unattended access no user intervention needed. The PC just has to be turned on and have internet.

[remixedcat]

No it's completely free! :D I didn't pay a cent ;)

 

They do have a premium version but the one I presented is completely free with the added bonus of being able to geo-locate it in the event of theft.

 

SM standard is free: https://meraki.cisco.com/products/systems-manager#compare

 

 

My recommendations are mostly enterprise level since they actually work right. :D Never had issues with MSM but teamviewer has let me down a lot of times.

[+BudMan MVC]

"Teamviewer requires remote approval on both sides"

As already stated this is just FUD.. While using enterprise grade stuff is great when it can be used.. And quite often its sweet as hell I agree.. To be honest this is a bit over the top sort of software for what the user asked to do. While it does have remote functionality, its main goal is lockdown and admin of lots of devices.. Not really what the user asked for to be honest in this use case.

While its a shame that TV has let you down, I have never had such a case.. And have on occasion used it to get into my home network when other methods, vpn and ssh have failed. This normally happens if make a change on my firewall while vpn'd in and kind of messed up firewall rules or connection state, etc. Since TV makes the connection outbound, and then lets you tunnel back through - as long as the device has a internet connection your in. Be it vpn is down on the router, or the routers rules are borked.. As long as the PC can make a connection outbound your normally good for control of it.

So while state it has let you down, it has been savior for me on multiple occasions. Its FREE for personal use, even though I hate the nag -- wish they would let you buy a home license to get rid of that nag!! I use it to support lots of people, matter of fact just fixed up a guy with it when he was no where to be found last night, he sent me code and password and I was in without any prompt from him.. I pinged him and pinged him, and he just was not around.. He had his pfsense pass stored in his browser though - so I was able to fix him up, etc. etc. I really can not say anything bad about TV. I does seem like a much better suggestion for this users case.. Click click he is done, and can access his pc from pretty much anywhere without any issue. And even from tablet or phone, etc.

http://www.teamviewer.com/en/download/mobile.aspx

The ability to run it and get support without even installing it is also quite handy!! Which I use quite often.. But I will be checking out this software for my own personal use maybe - thanks for the link on it ;)

[remixedcat]

It doesn't work right on connections from hotels and restaurants. I've also had it close connection constantly even on normal connections. Also is more clunky then MSM. MSM gets me in every time without issues while TV needs to be often attempted multiple times. Plus I can use what ever VNC software i want with it.

[Dot Matrix]

I use Teamviewer quite regularly to access my various systems. No issues what so ever, and setup is simple.

 

 

Teamviewer requires remote approval on both sides... if the PC is rebooted remote access gets shut off (app was instructed to end session) the user can't reconnect without the other system being interacted with to start the session

 

MSM is non-interactive, meaning no interaction at the remote computer is needed to start the session. You can do it any time.

 

Nope and no. Teamviewer will reboot with the system, and remote access will resume once the reboot cycle is complete.

[remixedcat]

not by default tho :p and so does MSM :p

[xendrome]

not by default tho :p and so does MSM :p

 

 

Is there a number of client limitation with the free MSM?

[remixedcat]

Nope. No limitations on client count. Currently have 22 devices in inventory :D

 

You can even do VMs and it works and reports as a VM as well :D

 

 

This is my windows vista test VM

[francescob]

If nobody is at home make sure to have at least two remote control softwares installed, in case one crashes.

[xrobwx71]

You can set up TeamViewer for unattended access using a pre-configured password on your management account and access via their website (client or just browser only), mobile or another full TeamViewer client install.

 

Remote reboot and resume works very well now. Wake On Lan works as well so long as you preconfigure either the target device or other clients on the network.

 

I regaulary access a virtual Windows 8.1 workstation at home from work to test our external access to services. My work machine is actually a Server 2008 R2 Citrix session running IE9, which it still works very well to connect to it.

I've also remotely sent a wake up request to my Hackintosh, connected to it, performed some tasks, then sent it to reboot to Windows 8.1 and connected back to it via TeamViewer.

Ditto. I use this for my work computers and it works as you say. Flawlessly I might add. 

[+BudMan MVC]

Playing with the MSM as we speak, seems odd that it would take any sort of time to report storage of PC devices.. It shows everything else, but getting "No storage device information" -- it just popped in on my PC, but missing on laptop I added. You would think that would pop in with the rest of it.

I can see this being a problem from remote locations because it requires multiple outbound ports to be open that might not be

I have never had issue with TV from any location.. It uses 443 outbound to talk to TV.. This is always open pretty much anywhere, and I access my home pc off a work proxy even without any issues.

This MSM looks pretty slick for power user in the few minutes I have played with it, small business, etc. But to be honest I would never in a million years suggest this to someone asking for remote access to their PC while they are on vac ;)

Also where is the linux love in MSM?? Doesn't seem like you can do anything with linux.. Sure hope his home PC is not linux if he wants to remote to it.. While with TV that is not a problem ;)

[remixedcat]

Sucks you had issues with your storage BM I've never had any issues with MSM. :o

[episode]

Teamviewer requires remote approval on both sides... if the PC is rebooted remote access gets shut off (app was instructed to end session) the user can't reconnect without the other system being interacted with to start the session

 

None of this is accurate.

[remixedcat]

by default. I would have to tell someone to enable this or that when I used it and MSM just installs and it's ready.

[Dot Matrix]

by default. I would have to tell someone to enable this or that when I used it and MSM just installs and it's ready.

Nothing needs enabled by default. All you need to do is sign into your account on both machines, and you're done.

[remixedcat]

but by default you gotta approve stuff and it's more of a pain... MSM just requires an install ONCE and that's it... no messing with stuff on both and "accepting connections"

[Dot Matrix]

but by default you gotta approve stuff and it's more of a pain... MSM just requires an install ONCE and that's it... no messing with stuff on both and "accepting connections"

Gotta approve what stuff?

[remixedcat]

be default it's not setup for "unattended" You have to confugre such which requires a few steps... if you gotta get a housemate to install it for you that's not very smart or can't stay for a long time and tell them to enable this, enable that, after going thru the TV steps than MSM is easier... simple 4 click install and done. no further intervention. with TV you gotta install it and then after that go thru additional steps to configure unattended access it's more of a pain.

 

Also TV client was more intrusive then MSM. MSM sits as a simple service and not an intrusive application.

 

 

 

Manual access to the remote computer requires you and your friend or family member to launch TeamViewer at the same time. In the process, a random password is generated on the remote computer for use during the session, which you must enter into your login screen. (You can set this to be from 4 to 10 characters in length.) This default is very good for security reasons: no one can access the remote computer if it?s unattended. This requirement is slightly eased once you create your TeamViewer account and pin the Partner to it. All you do then is double-click the online computer in the My Computers list?but your partner is still required to manually launch TeamViewer for it to show up as ?online.?

[firey]

be default it's not setup for "unattended" You have to confugre such which requires a few steps... if you gotta get a housemate to install it for you that's not very smart or can't stay for a long time and tell them to enable this, enable that, after going thru the TV steps than MSM is easier... simple 4 click install and done. no further intervention. with TV you gotta install it and then after that go thru additional steps to configure unattended access it's more of a pain.

 

Also TV client was more intrusive then MSM. MSM sits as a simple service and not an intrusive application.

 

 

All you have to do is login to TV.. which is what you have to do when you sign up with MSM.  At work we use Meraki hardware and it's awesome.. but for this.. Team Viewer is more than sufficent.  My kids broke my mouse and keyboard so the only way to use my computer was remotely.. TeamViewer did the job.   Power outages, reboots, kids pressing power button.. none caused issue.  Not once did I have a connection problem.

My vote is for team-viewer just create an account, login, set a password for your computer and you are golden.