Remote Control Software Essay Example For Students

Remote Control Software Essay Remote Control Software Used in a Local Area NetworkA Project Submitted to Fulfill the Requirements of CIS 5376 LAN IAt Tarleton State University System Center Central TexasRemote control software packages consist of tools for network administrators, helpdesk support personnel and end users. These packages let one PC (guest) connect to and remotely control another PC (host). Remote control software installs on both guest and host PCs. Guests can remotely control a hosts desktop, run programs, transfer files and redirect printing. For helpdesk staffers, we evaluated the robustness of the remote control features and the ability to chat with end users. For network administrators, who use remote control software to connect with NT servers and to troubleshoot problems without visiting the server room, we paid particularly close attention to security features. We compared CrossTec Corp.s NetOp Remote Control, Funk Softwares Proxy 3.02, LapLink.coms LapLink 2000, Stac Softwares ReachOut Ent erprise 8.42, Symantec Corp.s pcAnywhere and Netopias Timbuktu Pro 32. Our choice for the best remote control software went to NetOp for its ease of installation and full-featured configuration tools. Although the other products were also easy to install and configure, NetOps configuration wizards facilitated communication links, provided minimum levels of security, and established full-featured remote control sessions with a double click of the mouse. In addition, NetOp provided the most control over hosts and guests in a networked environment. pcAnywhere with LapLink provided the highest number of communication links between two PCs ranging from direct ports to Internet. LapLink 2000 won top honors in file transfer and NetOp edged out the competition in transferring screen displays and keyboard/ mouse controls. Funks Proxy had the best network installation routine. Cross Tec Corps NetOp for Windows version 6.58Funk Softwares Proxy version 3.0212Stac Softwares ReachOut Enterprise v ersion 8.4218Symantecs PcAnywhere version 1021Remote Control Software Used in a Local Area NetworkRemote control software can solve many of the problems that an administrator or user can encounter on a local area network. Using a remote-control program, one can access a PC remotely to exchange files between systems, run applications, take control of a client PC or server in order to troubleshoot a problem, and much more. Remote-control software is an application that you install on two PCs that permits one system (the guest) to connect with and control another (the host). Once youre connected, you can do just about anything as if you were sitting at the host PC. In addition, remote-control software lets you transfer files between PCs faster and more efficiently. The latest remote-control programs support a myriad of connection types including Internet connections, which are becoming increasingly important. The key advantage to Internet connections is that they let mobile users connect to a PC or server anywhere on the globe via an inexpensive local telephone call. So no matter where you are, you can always stay in touch. This paper is an effort to shed some light on six of the remote control software programs that are on the market today. We do not intend to be an expert source of information on remote control software. The goal is to present the information in a useful manner. Furthermore, it will attempt to address questions inherent to the capabilities of the software. For with the capabilities that this software possess comes a myriad of ethical and professional dilemmas. Our problem was to find six of the leading remote control software brands and discover as much as we could about their capabilities and limitations. We intended to compare the software and indicate which one we believed to be the best. A specific area of interest was with the problems that might arise from the capability to monitor workers activities and any features that the software may have to discourage clandestine activities. Find six of the leading remote control software packagesResearch the literature to find and present as much as possible about each software packages limitations and strengths. Compare the software packages and make an arbitrary decision as to which is the most capable. Identify and present the problems that may arise from having the capability to monitor workstation activities anywhere on the net. Most users associate remote-control software with telecommuting or day extending. Telecommuters typically use remote-control software to connect to an office PC over an analog phone line to exchange files and access productivity applications. However, there are many other uses for remote-control technology. For example, in a corporate setting, a help desk administrator can take over a client PC and show a worker how to accomplish a task or fix a problem. Network administrators use remote-control software to connect with a server or a workstation and troubleshoot a problem without making the long trek to the server room or the workstations location. . Furthermore, many major computer vendors put remote-control software on their PCs so that they can provide customer support remotely. The projects intent was to take all of these applications into account. In fact, during the research conducted, the authors determined that there are four basic roles of remote-control software. The Four Roles of Remote-Control SoftwareRemote-control software lets help-desk administrators troubleshoot problems without having to run throughout the building. Help-desk administrators look for strong remote-control performanceplus features such as tools for pushing the host software down to client PCs for easy installation, and the ability to launch the host module remotely. By using remote-control software, system administrators no longer need to be chained to their desks. A system administrator can monitor servers and correct problems at any time of the day from any location. One of the key features is the ability to monitor multiple hosts. Connecting over the Internet or dialing in to a company network, a telecommuter can take over a host system (usually, a desktop PC), as though sitting at a desk. Key features for these users include easy modem configuration, fast file transfers, wizards for scheduling unattended synchronization routines, and printer redirection. Many PC vendors such as Compaq and IBM bundle remote-control software with their products. If a customer encounters a problem, a support technician can take over the system and resolve the problem without having to ship the PC back and forth. Key features for these users include voice chat over data. All of the methods utilized in this research were arbitrary in nature. Furthermore, the authors tested none of the software. In a few cases, we made comparisons between software capabilities using the conclusions of third party research findings. The authors site any cases where comparisons come from outside sources. Selection of the vendor for evaluation was an arbitrary decision. We made the decision based on the authors knowledge of the vendor or the availability of information about the software. The six vendors that we chose to compare were:1.Cross Tec Corps NetOp for Windows version 6.5 2.Funk Softwares Proxy version 3.024.Stac Softwares ReachOutEnterprise version 8.425.Symantecs PcAnywhere version 10Three of the characteristics included in our comparisons, Platforms and Protocols Supported, Use as a Diagnostic Tool, and Security came from the requirements of the project. We selected the rest based on the authors perceptions of what the important areas for this type of software should be. 1.Platforms and Protocols Supported Network systems and protocols that the software supports. 2.Installation and Resources Required The installation of the program has to be simple and do most of the work for the installer. When similar operating systems are involved (Windows 9x, Windows NT), having the same installation procedure is a plus. We included the disk space and RAM space needed by the software in this characteristic. 3 Fatal familial insomnia EssayThe connection icon editor lets you create and edit ReachOut connection icons without running ReachOut itself. This is useful if you want to create icons to distribute with the ReachOut Setup program. A phone book conversion utility lets you update phone books (or connection icons) from earlier versions of ReachOut to the new connection icon format. You can convert from ReachOut from NT, ReachOut for 95, ReachOut for Windows DOS. The ReachOut FTP tools are standard FTP utilities that let you transfer files over the Internet. These programs are not part of a regular ReachOut installation but are included as separate item s on the CD-ROM. You can use them to copy files to or from any Internet site, even if ReachOut is not installed at the other end. ReachOut Enterprise 8.42 costs about $169. http://support.stac.com/technote/ROE/default.asp pcAnywheres installation wizard takes you through an effortless install that provides both guest and host functions in one package. The wizard recognized and utilized all Windows components. We were pleasantly surprised to find a live update utility at the end of the installation that offered to obtain the latest changes to pcAnywhere. The utility found our underlying network connection, accessed pcAnywheres FTP site, and refreshed our installation with updated files. However, it did not inform us of changes to our base installation taking up more than 30.8 MB. Administrators wont be cringing when it comes time to roll out this product on the network either. pcAnywhere has a custom-configuration utility for network installations. You simply pop in the corporate CD, which gives you a graphical utility to select and manage host and guest options for installationseven silent installations. This utility eliminates the need to master a script file for automatic installations. Both NetOp and ReachOut Enterprise require script files for automatic installations. With pcAnywhere, installing multiple users almost as easy as installing one user. o133MHz Pentium or higher processoro30 MB of available hard disk spaceWindows Millennium Edition and Windows NT4/98/95oPentium or higher processor150MHz (Pentium or higher processor for ME)o30 MB of available hard disk spaceConnect to a remote host PC and its desktop appears in a window on your remote PC. From there, you can launch applications and open files on the host PC just as if you were sitting in front of the computer itself. One of its best features its crisp, clutter free interface. Its four large toolbar icons let you designate your office PC as the host, so you can connect to it remotely or connect with and control another computer. These icons also let you set access options and (for Windows NT/2000 users only) build installation packages that add PcAnywhere to other systems. Although the default connection items allow for remote control sessions and add a minimum level of security, pcAnywhere really shines in the array of configuration tasks available from the Tools menu. A user-defined computer name can replace the default Windows computer name. The default video mode can be adjusted, color scale can be set from two to 16,797,216 colors, and cache file size can be manipulated. In addition, one can allow connections to multiple hosts and optimize the desktop for remote control using discreet selections. You solve user problems directly by remotely controlling their systems. OLE, automation allows VARs to integrate PcAnywhere functionality into custom solutions. Both IT groups and VARs will benefit from the new PcAnywhere Packager utility, which lets you produce customized installation sets to decrease installation size and enforce corporate security and access policies. One pcAnywhere has is that no longer has the integrated virus checking such as for instance, DOS and Windows 3.1. Therefore, if those operating systems are used, one should use the previous version, 9.2. Once pcAnywhere installs, a graphical utility an administrator can enforce network policies, distribute, and maintain applications. Note that the host administrator requires Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.01 or later. Windows integration is a good thing, but it should not be a constraint. Symantec should add other browsers to support host administration in the enterprise. You can link host and remote PCs within your organization over whatever connection you wish, including LAN, VPN, and dial-up, through a special code that prevents hackers from using other copies PcAnywhere to gain access. pcAnywhere also provides a mechanism for hosts to search LDAP directories for connection information. This functionality utilizes a Netscape Directory Server 4.0 or Novell NetWare 5x LDAP modules. PcAnywheres greatest downfall is that it still does not let you password-protect individual folders or files. You can limit access only by drivean all-or-nothing deal. Other than this minor glitch, the software gets rave reviews for security performance. It offers more security features than any other remote control application, outdoing itself in previous versions. Mandatory passwords stop unauthorized users from accessing a PcAnywhere host, and authentication options now consist of FTP, HTTP, HTTPS, generic LDAP, ADS, NDS, Novell Bindery, and NT domains. You can use these new authentication options to verify the identity of the remote caller via Windows 2000s Active Directory, HTTPS, and Novell Directory Services. By doing that, it allows companies the option of choosing what method best suits its network setup. In addition, for additional protection, PcAnywhere creates a log of every file accessed, every application launched, and all of its own activities. PcAnywhere 10.0 includes an optimization wizard to help you accelerate user sessions. It suggests various ways that performance can be improved, such as reducing the number of colors on the hosts screen or removing active desktops, screen savers, and wallpaper. Surprisingly simple changes such as these can dramatically increase the speed of your remote control sessions. If fast downloading is of primary importance, this software finds, downloads, and uploads the files rapidly. The Goto, Tag, and directory history features let you quickly navigate directories on both machines. SpeedSend technology expedites file transfers by only sending the sections that have changed since the last time someone transferred the file. In addition, improved AutoTransfer technology makes it a breeze to transfer and synchronize files automatically. Its easier to move multiple files with PcAnywheres file-transfer utility than with the Windows Explorer because it provides a history of recently accessed directories in a small, drop-down menu under the toolbar. One click on any of the folders in the list immediately brings up that directory in the file-transfer window so that you can easily move files to another directory from your remote desktop to the remote PC. Through Netopias patented technologies, Timbuktu Pro is the only remote control software that supports inter-connectivity between Windows NT 4.0,Windows 9x,Windows 2000,and Mac OS. High Speed Communication: Timbuktu Pro 2000 works over Internet, LAN, WAN, dial up, DSL or RAS connections. Incorporating new remote control advancements Timbuktu Pro 2000 is supposed to be faster than ever. Timbuktu has an automated network installation that can be complicated by using scripts to refine installed features. Timbuktu requires:o20 MB hard disk space available for Win 9xo50 MB hard disk space available for Win NT/2000Computer support personnel who currently must run all over the building to correct problems can sit in one location, and either observe the end-user demonstrating the problem or take control of the end-users computer, correcting the problem remotely. You can add or delete missing or extraneous files from other computers without FTP, AppleShare, or File Sharing. Simultaneous multiple networking protocols are supported, so Macs on LocalTalk, NT servers on TCP/IP, and Windows 95 stations on Novell networks can all connect, observe, or control each other. With Timbuktu Pro 2000, you can now take advantage of new communication features such as voice over IP and a new chat feature, which will allow for high-speed text based communication for those of us without sound cards and speakers on our workstations. Unlike many of the other RC applications available for Windows only, Timbuktu Pro allows you to control an office PC from your home Mac or PC, and allows you to control a remote NT server as well. Through Netopias patented V-wedge and IntelliScreen technology, Timbuktu Pro is the only remote control software that supports inter-connectivity between Windows NT 4.0 3.51, Windows 2000, Windows 9x and 3.x, and Mac OS. Timbuktu Pros remote control technology is device independent and does not replace video drivers or load TSRs. This results in a higher performing, more stable, and less intrusive remote control solution. Timbuktu Pro now integrates directly with Windows NT security allowing administrators to leverage the security already deployed within their environment. Timbuktu Pro also provides separate user defined and administrator defined options to virtually guarantee the integrity of the enterprise Intranet. Timbuktu Pros ironclad security provides state-of the-art secure screen blanking, password encryption, user level defined privileges, password ageing, event logging, master password protection, and more. The attended access feature prompts users to ask for permission before attempting to control your computer or admission as a temporary guest. Timbuktu Pro 2000 integrates with NT Security lists to help ease password management and administration. NT 3.51 and NT 4.0 systems can employ secure screen blanking. This feature freezes the screen on the host system with the display of a Workstation Locked or Begin Login dialog box. No one can look at the screen of your server or workstation while you are away. In addition, if your dial-up connection to the server is severed, Timbuktu Pro automatically locks the NT system to prevent unauthorized access. With Timbuktu Pro 2000 you can access the hard drive of any remote machine and transfer to or from it. If you cannot find the file, let Timbuktu Pro 2000 find it for you with its file find feature built right into Timbuktu Pros exchange. Webmasters can directly control their Macintosh or NT web server from their office or home computer. Edit web pages on your computer at home or work and use Timbuktu Pros file transferring to put the new or edited pages in place. Checking the web server logs from home is simple, and setting up new users and other server maintenance chores can be performed from your home, office, or while youre on the road at a web conference. People who use desktop AFS and web authoring software on their PCs can extend this functionality to their home computer (i.e., by writing the web pages on the home machine and using Timbuktu Pros file transfer software to place the pages on your AFS-based network drive on the office computer.)Road warriors can connect to their office desktop systems for file retrieval, presentation creation, and working with colleagues on collaborative projects. Checking client/server databases from the road or checking LAN-based or protected e-mail is quick and easy from your l aptop. Timbuktu facilitates printing reports on the office laser printer from the road. FlashNotes pop-up messages can get your notes on your colleagues screens immediately, when waiting for them to check their e-mail will not do. You can send files to users without tying up the e-mail server at the office. http://www.netopia.com/software/products/tb2/enterprise/ NetOp scored well in this area. It supports all platforms except Macintosh or Windows Me. Funks Proxy software was deficient in the protocols and platforms supported. It would not operate on Macintosh, DOS or OS2 platform. As with NetOp, Laplink would not work on Macintosh platform but unlike NetOp it did work with Windows Me. ReachOut does not support OS2 or Macintosh platforms. PcAnywhere does not support the OS2 or Macintosh platforms. Timbuktu Pro is the only remote control software that supports inter-connectivity between Windows NT 4.0,Windows 9x,Windows 2000,Windows Me, OS2, and Mac OS. NetOp had one of the highest grades in this area for its capabilities to start operations without rebooting and the read me file that showed all installed files. In addition, you can install NetOp programs on targeted remote computers. Laplink is the only product that does not have an automated network installation. ReachOut conducts an automated network installation and there is a small memory footprint. PcAnywhere installation is quiet simple. It has an automated network install. The Only problem is that it uses too much memory space. Timbuktu has a automated network installation that can be complicated by using scripts to refine installed features. NetOps Help Desk feature, the ability to conduct audio and video chats, scripting utility and the file transfer interface, make NetOp the best in this area. Proxy seemed to have a good array of diagnostic tools but file transfer was slow and problems in deletion of files caused low score. Although Laplink is, slow in transferring screen displays and keyboard and mouse controls the software has very useful diagnostic capabilities. One of these is the ability to log all transactions. ReachOut offers a host of tools to make diagnostic activities easier and more effective. These include: simultaneous chat with remote operator, the zero admin host service, and remote control through a web browser to name a few. If there were not problems with the file transfer capabilities, it would have rated tops in this area. PcAnywhere really shines in the array of configuration tasks available and OLE, automation allows VARs to integrate PcAnywhere functionality into custom solutions. These factors and others combine to put pcAnywhere in a tie with NetOp for first in this area. Timbuktu has features similar to NetOp. By itself, NetOp has very good capabilities for interoperability. However, the Gateway module interacts with NetOp to provide an extremely high level of network interoperability. The only trouble is that it is a different program. In this category Proxy did not do well. It has no capabilities for working out of the windows environment. On top of this, the software has no enterprise wide user administration capabilities. Laplinks Link to Net and Internet Directory options help the interoperability scores. But the inability to perform NT network integration detracts from the score. ReachOut does well in this category but we think it fails to completely live up to its name Enterprise. With automated network installation, remote control through web browsers, NT network integration it is still a formidable tool. Use pcAnywhere in a variety of network and enterprise situations. It integrates well with NT and Timbuktu does extremely well in this area also. High speed connect ability, and the ability to deal with every type platform makes it the choice for this area. NetOp has some very good features. The ability to allow guests to have a default set of privileges or users receive individual privileges. Its only major drawback include the inability to centralize security and authentication administrationSecurity for Proxy seems to be adequate. We saw problems with the host having the capabilities to deny permission for the guest to take over the host. Laplinks security is adequate but not as extensive as the NetOp features. ReachOut has some of the same security features that pcAnywhere has but does not quite match its level of security. PcAnywheres greatest downfall is that it still does not let you password-protect individual folders or files. Even considering this it still outshines the competition in this area. NetOp has a full array of services that makes it one of the leading competitors in this area. We especially like the guest tool bar and the marker function. Proxy services are adequate but still do not compare with the other software. Laplink has a good amount of services but does not compare to NetOp. ReachOut had an impressive amount of services and came in second in this category. PcAnywheres has a full menu of services. It ties for second place in this area. Timbuktu has an impressive list of services also, but they seem to be geared to a remote user having access to the home offices services. In the area of costs the software packages ranged from $130 to $175 dollars with Laplink being the cheapest. When you take into account the price per seat costs, you get quite a different story. Table 1Costs of Software and LicensesOverall, our testing of remote control software revealed a field of well-matched players. The order in which they finished was:2.ReachOut and Timbuktu tied for 2d place with 60 points each 3.pcAnywhere came in 3d with 60 points5.Laplink brought up the rear with a total of 53 points. When we have the capabilities to monitor the activities of anyone on a network, the first problem that most American people think of is invasion of privacy. Morris, John. 1998. Remote control software: You cant get there from here. PC Magazine, 1 September, 58-70. Doherty, Sean. 2000. Remote Control Saves Steps. Network Computing PC Magazine Labs Report. Teleworking ReachOut Enterprise 8. http://www.zdnet.co.uk/pcmag/supp/2000/teleworking/49.htmlReachout Enterprise. Users Guide Supplement Version 8.42. http://www.zdnet.com/pcmag/features/remotecontrol/rev7.html Kawamoto, Wayne. New! Software.Stac ReachOut 7 vs. MicrocomCarbon Copy 32. http://www.zdnet.com/pccomp/sneakpeeks/snpk0697/remote.htmlBibliography:BibliographyMorris, John. 1998. Remote control software: You cant get there from here. PC Magazine, 1 September, 58-70. Doherty, Sean. 2000. Remote Control Saves Steps. Network Computing Magazine, 7 February, 35-48PC Magazine Labs Report. Teleworking ReachOut Enterprise 8. http://www.zdnet.co.uk/pcmag/supp/2000/teleworking/49.htmlReachout Enterprise. Users Guide Supplement Version 8.42. http://www.zdnet.com/pcmag/features/remotecontrol/rev7.html Kawamoto, Wayne. New! Software.Stac ReachOut 7 vs. MicrocomCarbon Copy 32. http://www.zdnet.com/pccomp/sneakpeeks/snpk0697/remote.html