While most big companies have elaborate setups to allow employees to access parts of the office computer network when they’re home or out of town on business, individual users can do much the same thing with just a couple of modems and a bit of software.
In fact, I often use remote access software to span a distance of, oh, two feet. It’s the simplest form of networking, connecting one computer to another on the same desk to exchange information and share a printer.
If that sounds enticing to you, what should you look for?
First, compatibility with your computer’s operating system software. Nearly all of the programs I’ll describe below run on Windows 95. Many also run on Windows 3.1 or Windows NT. Only “ReachOut” also does DOS. Only “Timbuktu” also does Macintosh, making it the only “cross-platform” program that lets you work between the Mac and Windows.
Second, compatibility with the distant computer and any network it may be on. If you’re trying to connect to a single, distant computer, this typically means the same operating system you’ve got on hand. And you may need to buy a second copy of the remote software for that system.
Most of these programs are compatible with TCP-IP, the standard communication format for the Internet and most office intranets. Several are compatible with Novell NetWare or Windows NT networking. “ReachOut” and “pcAnywhere32” are compatible with a variety of other networks such as Vines. Only “Timbuktu” includes support for the Mac’s AppleTalk network standard.
Third, speaking of network compatibility, you’ll want the right level of security for your connection. To start, you’ll want passwords to protect personal or company network information from illegal hacking. A single password isn’t enough. Ideally, you or the system administrator can set up different levels of access for different people and can require passwords to connect, to get on the network, and to access certain data.
A limit on the number of times users can retry entering a password can be important, especially if the program will notify you of any rejected access attempts. A call-back option is safer yet, where you connect to the distant computer, but only long enough for it to say, “OK, I’ll now call you back on the number we agreed upon.” Anyone hacking in won’t be at that number, so won’t be able to get inside information. Also, call-back can save you money, by having your home computer call back using its low rates rather than a hotel’s inflated long-distance prices.
Related to security is protection from a virus. Anytime you connect one computer to another, this should be done. If you don’t already have an anti-virus utility, two of the programs–“ReachOut” and “pcAnywhere”–will scan for viruses during your remote exchanges.
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Fourth, after knowing the program will run on your local computer and the distant computer, and that you’ll be secure during the connection, you’ll need the program to support the kind of data link you have in mind.
All the programs support direct modem-to-modem dialing, even using the fast new ISDN lines.
You might want to connect through the Internet. That can cost less in phone charges, by having both computers dial a local number, even when the machines are in different parts of the country or the world. But it can also add the complication of getting through firewalls if the computer you want to reach is on some intranet secured from complete Internet access. All of the programs support Internet connection.
I often want to connect through a cable, or by “wireless” infrared. These work to a distance of about six feet. This short-range setup lets my notebook computer get at files on my desktop computer, or even use its printer. “Timbuktu” does not support infrared; the rest do. “Carbon Copy” comes with a serial cable for such connections. “LapLink” does, too, and offers a parallel cable for faster connection at $10, half the typical cost. “PcAnywhere” comes with a parallel cable.
Fifth, ask what you can do over that connection.
Can you exchange files? Can you “synchronize” files, so they’re the same on both computers? Can you print to that distant computer’s printer? Can you run programs on the distant computer, exercising “remote control,” watching everything it does in a window on your own computer screen? Can you run programs on any network connected to that distant computer, print on any network printers, becoming a “remote node” in tech talk? Can you “chat” while you do these things, typing messages to anyone at the distant computer, or even speaking to them on the same connection while exchanging files and remotely controlling?
All of these programs except “Remote DeskLink” offer some chat abilities. All but “DeskLink” exchange files and all but “DeskLink” and “Timbuktu” synchronize files. “PcAnywhere,” “RapidRemote” and “ReachOut” have remote printing.
Don’t assume more features is always better, or you’ll pay for things you don’t use. For example, “DeskLink” may lack file exchange and synchronization, but it only costs $50.
Sixth, look for easy setup and operation. Most of these programs show the files you can exchange in a box resembling Windows Explorer. Most put their commands behind on-screen graphical buttons. But in practice, some require lots more clicking and commanding on your part. Look for programs with “wizards” to walk you through processes, and that let you create shortcuts so you can just double-click later to repeat an entire process.
The program will also be easier to use if it comes with good tech support: long hours, knowledgeable, free. Better yet, check whether there’s a free trial version so you can see if it works for you. “Remote DeskLink,” “LapLink” and “Carbon Copy” offer these now. Others may soon as software companies increasingly use trial versions to build traffic to their World Wide Web sites.
Speaking of Web sites, remote-access-and-control “plug-ins” for Web browsers are starting to appear, and are worth looking up on Netscape’s and Microsoft’s sites, though none offer the kind of power and security of the programs mentioned here. These would let you run all remote operations from your browser, which might well be the way all such programs work some day.
A final note about ease: All of these programs require that your distant computer be on and running the remote-control program, too. If you don’t want to leave your computer always on, there are devices that will wake your computer when you first call, and a few computer models that even have such abilities built in.
So which programs would I recommend for remote access?
If you can get by without swapping files, I’d advise that you start with “Remote DeskLink” ($50, Traveling Software, 800-433-0049, www.travsoft.com) because it’s easy and cheap.
If all you want is file exchange, but with the most sophisticated options for that task, try “DropChuteplus” ($50, Hilgraeve, 800-826-2760, www.hilgraeve.com), which lets you schedule and speed secure files between two Windows 95 or NT computers. Or I’d suggest “RapidRemote” ($70, Quarterdeck, 800-354-3222, www.quarter
deck.com), which has all the basics.
My personal favorite has long been “LapLink” ($120, Traveling Software) for top power and ease on Windows computers. “Timbuktu” ($50, Netopia, 510-814-5023, www.farallon.com) is a powerful and, unfortunately, the only choice for Macs; “ReachOut” ($140, Stac, 800-279-7822, www.stac.com) is the only good choice for DOS. “Carbon Copy” ($150, Compaq, 800-822-8224, www.microcom.com) has the best security features and “CoSession Remote 32” ($120, Artisoft, 732-744-9770, www.artisoft.com) is a fine choice that’s easy to learn.
But if I were headed to the store right now for a powerful remote access program for Windows 95 and NT, though not 3.1, I’d have to go for “pcAnywhere32” ($130, Symantec, 800-845-2642, www.symantec.com) because of a $70 mail-in rebate offer.