Remote Administrator/TightVNC ??

I saw something on these two programs over in the dc forum here's the thread and was wondering exactly what they do?? I know the just of it. You can control all your comps from one but other than that i'm kinda lost.

From what i gather you just install the software and set it up but then how do you get the computer up and running again without a mouse/keyboard/monitor ??

Right now I'm getting my router and I'll be using broadband soon and I have 2 boxes built finishing the 3 and thought i needed to get a kvm switch but if I can use one of these programs all the better and saves me some $$$ wich will be spent on getting a decent cable modem {suggestions will be greatly appreciated}


thanx

[willy_ph]

With VNC or TightVNC, it allows you to remotely control another computer via software. Although you'll still have to plug a mouse and keyboard in, you won't need another monitor. You'll be able to control the other computer via the desktop that pops up in a program window, instead of having to switch using a KVM switch.

The software solution cuts down on cost (no new monitor) and it means that you don't have to invest in a bigger KVM if you run out of ports.

thanx willy_ph

so basically I'd need to get a kvm switch to cut down the need for another mouse and keyboard no matter what thats all i need to know

You don't need a mouse or keyboard with an VNC version provided the remote PC will boot without one. Many BIOSes will allow you to turn off errors for keyboard and mouse, and most OSes will start without a mouse if you tell 'em too.

I run four PC's with no monitor/.keyborad/mice, all form VNC. I can restart them and all, and as they are all NT based windoze OSes, I can even call up the task manager with remote ctrl-alt-del.

Any questions about VNC, just ask.

Cheers
Mick

[Telexen]

If it's Windows XP Pro just use Remote Desktop..VNC is laggy and a pain.

Telexen, if you have a mixed OS LAN like mine, which includes win9x, linux flavours, and winNT4, then you'd appreciate that VNC is anything but a pain!

Sure if all your PC's have winXP Pro, then you could use remote desktop. But I doubt many of us who have home LANs can afford or even want to have all PC's with winXP Pro.

Same thing about re-booting and keyboards/mice apply for any remote app, BTW. Just make sure you check the BIOS and disable halting on keyboard errors, otherwise it'll come up with an error message you won't see ('cause the app only loads when the OS loads).

BTW, TightVNC is not as laggy as the original VNC.

Cheers
Mick

well i'll more than likely be using win 98se on the machines until i get linux down

Only gotcha with win9x and VNC is that you can't do an ctrl-alt-del with VNC. Doesn't support it.

Cheers
Mick

[M_Six]

Getting back to your original question, the difference between TightVNC and Remote Administrator is that one is free and the other costs $35. Also, Remote Admin is faster and more secure. But if you're only using it over your LAN, the speed difference may not matter that much and security isn't as much of a worry.

Remote Admin also has file transfer, command line, and remote shutdown capability.