Setting up a WAN

[dale@fcg]

I have client who wants to connect a pc from his workshop to his home pc. The main objective is to access files stored on the home pc, but also to print to the home pc- as well as occasionally access files on the workshop pc from home. The home pc is WinXP Home, and the workshop pc is XP Pro.

The home pc has Comcast cable internet access and is set up behind a Linksys router home network; and right now, the workshop pc has no internet connection (not behind router or part of a network - just a standalone pc).

I have never tackled such a project, and my initial thought would be to use PCAnywhere to accomplish this.

I'm also thinking that the workshop pc would need to get internet access to connect to the home pc. Also, wouldn't there be a serious advantage to having a dsl connection at workshop instead of dialup?

Would using Remote Desktop be an option?

[Dan18960]

Dale,

You have two issues to tackle here - (1) connectivity and (2) remote communication.

Connectivity is an issue since you don't state whether both systems have at least modems. PcAnywhere can be set to auto-answer on a dialup and also can be used to access via tcpip.

Remote communication - you could use remote desktop, pcanywhere, or even vpn IF you can setup the connectivity.

There is also gotomypc - but again connectivity would be an issue since this product does require an internet connection (and at $30.00 a month far exceeds pcanywhere $179.00 cost for remote and host installations).

Is there an internet connection at the office? IF there is - why has this system been exempted from being put on the network? Again IF there is internet at work - who is the managing IT? The one thing you don't want to do is get into a "war" with the office IT department. Has your client got approval for remote connections?

You need to remember that just because an EMPLOYEE would like to have access to their home system - their WORK computer is NOT their personal property and internet access is NOT their personal gateway.

One thing I have found over the years is NOT to get involved with employees - I ALWAYS communicate with the decision maker in a company. ANY request made by employees I ignore. I make them aware that I don't work for them but I work for the SAME person they work for and I only can do what THAT person dictates. It may hurt their feelings but I continue to service that business.

[Dan18960]

Oh yea, you are not "really" setting up a WAN - you are simply setting up remote access.

A WAN would be integrating servers at two or more locations for sync'ing data, programs, and interoffice communications.

School districts usually have a WAN to connect servers from schools to the district (although, I don't see that much here in PA - but have in Florida).

Banks are an example of a WAN - connecting branch offices to the main office.

Insurance companies do NOT have WAN's since they are independent and usually on access the "main" company to enter data through web secure pages.

[dale@fcg]

Dan,
First off, this is not an office (its a self- owned woodworking workshop) and it's not an employee (he's the owner).
The workshop pc is used for AutoCad drawings for making floor plans/blue prints/etc. This pc is a standalone unit with no internet connectivity since up to now its use was just to run AutoCad. Obviously there's a need now for connectivity, thus the question about dialup vs dsl.
Each pc does have a modem, but since the home pc already has Comcast cable internet connection, it would seem like a step backwards to install a new phone line for modem to modem connection.

Seems like the most viable option for connectivity at workshop is going to be verizon or cavalier dsl, so perhaps a tcp to tcp connection in PCAnywhere is where I'm gonna be at. Btw, wouldn't a dialup to tcp/ip connection in PCAnywhere work, if the workshop pc was setup via a dialup isp?

Also, a copy of PCAnywhere 11.5 is already awaiting use, so what would be gained by going out and purchasing version 12.0? Version 11.5 had no issues that I know of.

PS-One of these times I'm gonna get the correct terminology and forum on the same post. :tea::flypig::pound::amen:

[mylanta]

Seems to me like a jump drive or mobile drive would be incredibly easier carried between locatios. I mean when you simplify and look at this what is it he never did before he wants to do now and is it worth what this will cost?

[dale@fcg]

Well, Rich, he uses a Jump drive now.

1. He needs internet access at workshop anyhow.
2. Various files get changed/updated at home during course of day by family member, then need to be accessed from workshop. For now, those files are just being carried to work the next day. But to have real time, in the immediate moment access would be a vast improvement.
3. Serious time factor: If various files can be accessed from workshop as well as print jobs being done from workshop onto specific printer located at home, there would be much time saved at home during evenings and weekends. (Reasons for not purchasing a second printer for workshop: Space, only limited printing- but still necessary, printouts are handled from home anyway.)

[mylanta]

OK just a thought Dale and sounds like he does need this.

[dbarrow]

Unless he has a real need for access between the two...
This shop is physically located far enough away from his house that he can't get wireless between them?

An internet connection just for the shop machine may be cost prohibitive, especially Comcast as it would be a "business" account and higher priced.

Depending on his needs, an external USB hd would be far cheaper. He can transport it back and forth easily.
What kind of files, and how many, does he routinely need access to?

If he really must access back and forth between the two, and wants to get an internet connection in the shop,
Remote Desktop and/or XP IIS ftp server can deliver everything he wants.
If both machines are on cable ...
I can access daughter's machine and do just about anything. My old machine has the ftp server running on it making for easy file transfers between the machines.

[dale@fcg]

Doug,
Shop is 2 miles from home. Second, needs to have access to files real time, as per previous post.

Doesn't remote desktop require someone to physically be at pc to accept/send invitation for connection, as well as to give permission for remote control of desktop?

[dbarrow]

His only option is to get internet access at the shop.
If he is talking about access to large CAD files, he had better just bite the bullet and get Comcast. Large file transfer over a dial-up would be painfully slow.
Since he has cable at home, I would suggest he get cable at the shop. Comcast to Comcast is just one big network and the machine to machine speeds would be good as his connection would be within the local node. DSL to Comcast may be considerably slower as it has to go out from the DSL gateway then back to the Comcast gateway and then out to the node.
If he can convince them he wants TV and internet for the shop, he may get away with the "residential" price if he is not using for "business".

Remote Desktop is just that... remote!
As long as the destination machine is up and running, you log on with your user and PW and it becomes like a network machine. Correctly set up, it is just like the machine is sitting on your desk in front of you. All your drives and network are accessible. File transfer is drag and drop. Printer functions and programs can be run on it.
(Have not tried this) It would appear you could even fire up Acronis on the remote and make a backup to the machine you are working from.

The only thing it will do is lock down the remote machine while in use. When you disconnect, a user at that machine has to do a logon.

This IS in XP! FREE! Compared to the monthly $ of PCanywhere .... no reason not to use it as functionality is fantastic.

Since he also has Pro on the one machine...
He can install ISS from the XP cd (see MSKB for instructions) and set up an FTP server. (also has a web page server if he wants to create a web page for his shop)
The FTP server does cause a little marginal strain on resources but worth the value.

That is what I did with my ancient machine and as old and slow as it is, the FTP is quick.
I use it to transfer files back and forth between me and daughter without bothering to do remote desktop just for a file transfer.
All he has to do is keep the files he wants access to in the folder designated as the FTP.

In fact, I am exploring Smartbackup http://www.objectrescue.com/products/smartbackup/

Which (so it states) can do real time sync of files via FTP, or at intervals, where it will copy new and changed files (by timestamp) to an FTP folder on a remote machine.
(automatic and scheduled!)

Therefore, if he has files he needs up to date on both machines, this is a path to go.

So... he would be looking at the cost of cable internet and $29.95 for Smartbackup ... the rest is free and already in XP Pro.

[PeteF]

Hi all,
Allow me to throw another idea out there for consideration.
Seems like he just needs some simple file sharing abilities.

Most ISPs give you some webspace and most people never use it.
How about setting up system where those files that he needs to
share get saved to a folder on his alloted webspace. Then he
could save any new files using his favorite FTP client and
retreive them in a similar fashion from any PC connected to
the Interent.

One downside is that he'd need to be disiplined enough to
upload any changed files each day. But even that might be
able to be automated.

---pete---

[dbarrow]

Dale ... where is the client at on this? Has he made any decisions?

I am currently testing Smartbackup for use with my FTP and daughter's machine, in the manner I listed above.
Hey! It works!
This looks like a very simple and inexpensive solution to "sync" copies of files between two remote machines.
Folder monitoring allows it to immediately upload a newly created file to the FTP automatically. You can also use scheduled uploads or a hot key. It will only update those files that have changed.

The program has great potential for a use like this at a reasonable price tag.
There are also other "network" sync features which bear further investigation. Have to look closer, but since Comcast is just a big network, it may be possible to have this do the same IP to IP providing all the parameters are set.

[dale@fcg]

This project is now in phase one: The client is pursuing his options to get workshop pc connected to internet. He is deciding between Comcast and Verizon (big surprise there, eh?).

Doug, do you feel that there will be decided advantages to going Comcast for the ip to ip setup? PCAnywhere, being in possession, is probably the route that will be chosen, unless some reason to go another option surfaces.

As for Smartbackup, could you give me a link? It sounds like something I'd use for my school lab (is there volume licensing or academic pricing)?

[dbarrow]

http://www.objectrescue.com/products/smartbackup/

If he has to decide on squeezing pennies between Comcast and Verizon, he's going to feel the bite of PCAnywhere monthly fee. Not that it's a bad program but RD does the same for free.

Comcast to Comcast is quick with Remote Desktop and FTP from NJ to Phila.
Can't say the same would be true with DSL to Comcast as he will be adding a whole string of hops to the gateways between the two.
As his shop is two miles away from home, he's likely on the same node or at least the same regional hub so cable to cable would be at full speed with minimal delay and latency.

Bewteen RD and Smartbackup, I think he could accomplish all his goals and be quite satisfied.

[dbarrow]

Dale, BTW:
If he does not already have a backup solution, I see the new Acronis Workstation version does have FTP backup.
Whether of not it has the features and functions of Smartbackup, I am waiting to compare and discuss with them.

What I find interesting about Smartbackup, although it is a "straight copy" file transfer and not a compressed image, is the FOLDER MONITOR feature which will launch on any file changes in the source folder and automatically send it to the destination folder.
Other options include automatic scheduled hours, days, weeks, etc. and a hotkey.
Tested this out and it's pretty kewl! Add a new file and off it goes to place a copy on the remote machine.
The program has the kind of "real time" capability that Datakeeper had with not only local and network but remote machine as well. Simple but effective!

Ever since the mobo problem, daughter has a paranoia about losing critical files with hours of work so I set up redundant local backups and with this, I will have a mirror of her critical folder on my file server.

For $30, what more could you ask for?

[dale@fcg]

If he has to decide on squeezing pennies between Comcast and Verizon, he's going to feel the bite of PCAnywhere monthly fee. Not that it's a bad program but RD does the same for free.

:confused:
Am I mistaken to think that PCAnywhere is a standalone app that does not require a monthly fee? Don't I just install and seup the s/w on host and remote machines and they'll talk to each other, same as SmartBackup and RD?


Also, if he does need to pay a monthly fee to PCAnywhere, what if that fee happens to be much less than the difference between Comcast and Verizon? IOW, if it's still more economical to pay PCAnywhere vs Comcast.

[dale@fcg]

Dale, BTW:


What I find interesting about Smartbackup, although it is a "straight copy" file transfer and not a compressed image, is the FOLDER MONITOR feature which will launch on any file changes in the source folder and automatically send it to the destination folder.
Other options include automatic scheduled hours, days, weeks, etc. and a hotkey.
Tested this out and it's pretty kewl! Add a new file and off it goes to place a copy on the remote machine.
The program has the kind of "real time" capability that Datakeeper had with not only local and network but remote machine as well. Simple but effective!


For $30, what more could you ask for?

very interesting!

[dbarrow]

Maybe I am confusing it with GoToMyPC which charges a monthly.

[dbarrow]

Do a quick test ...
Set up his machine for RD and connect to it from a DSL machine and then a Comcast machine and note the differences.
You can use Ping Plotter to ping his IP:3389 and count the hops and the latency.

When daughter was on wireless, RD worked, painfully slow and file transfer was slow and sometimes stalled. The FTP would time out frequently. On cable, roughly the same as if it was on a cat5 on my network at home. When set to share files, it does take a minute or so to access my network shares but I can easily drag and drop files back and forth. The FTP flys and we shoot files back and forth all the time with no hassle.

Depending on what he is looking at for functionality, I would try this test and let him decide what he can live with as once he gets signed up with one or the other, he's stuck with it and may not be happy. It all depends on his needs to work from one end or the other and if that use is casual or heavy duty. If he is working with huge CAD files, he may opt for the highest speeds he can get or file transfer could be a real dog.

Don't forget the other potential of setting up IIS. Besides having an FTP server, you can also run the HTTP web server if he wants to put up a web site for his shop. I set up a streaming audio web page I could access from work and it worked like a charm.

[dale@fcg]

What is IIS?

[mylanta]

Internet Information Services
http://www.microsoft.com/WindowsServer2003/iis/default.mspx

[dale@fcg]

:confused::pray: