Windows Remote Desktop Connection

Part of Terminal Services ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terminal_services#Remote_Desktop_Connection)

I saw something about this in a Windows article recently. If I understand it correctly, it's quite similar to with X terminals we use in our university labs that give us a GUI connection to a Red Hat machine, only it would give you a remote GUI of your Windows system. Run programs on it or anything. It sounds pretty handy. But I'm not sure what's required to use it. So a few questions:

*What OS must the host be running? i.e., the computer I want to remotely connect to (my laptop). I'm thinking XP Professional, Server 2003, Vista Business/Ultimate/Enterprise, Server 2008, or 7 Professional (or w/e they call it)? I'm running XP Home now and can't find it, but may switch to Server 2003 in a few months if I can find good reason to (and no good reason not to).

*What OS must the remote connector be running? This is kind of important, because if it requires server OS here to remotely connect, this won't be very useful. Also, does it require special software or is it hidden somewhere in the Professional/Business Control Panel? Most importantly, could I remotely connect from a Windows XP Professional computer? That's what on all the university computers, so it's what I care about most. Other OS connections would be kind of nice too, but the only other one I can see myself using hardly at all is XP Home.

*Does it work quite smoothly? Could I run anything on my computer on it well? Even games? The remote Red Hat Enterprise Linux sessions always seem smooth, but I don't know if a racing game would have quite the same smoothness.

*And this is over a Local Area Network (LAN), right? So I could connect over my university or home network, but not to my computer at university while I was at home hundreds of miles away? Not that I'd really want to, but it's good to know the limitations and capabilities anyway.

Thanks for the info.

 

If you really want to remote your pc, effectively, and safely, with as many options as possible, you need to try LogMeIn. Its worked like a charm for the over two years I've been using it. its safe, and works awesome.


evers

 

I have this issue with my work VPN and university network. I have been told that they block outgoing connections, but not incoming. They leave the incoming open for outside tech help, but not outgoing. Before you start setting up, check with the network admin.

 

Forgot about that. I have heard good things about it. But it costs money; Server 2003 wouldn't. So Server 2K3 is still my first choice - and really only since I don't plan to remote it often enough to justify the price.

Good idea. Answers here are still pertinent, though - I don't know that tech support will have the answers.

 

You can also use the educational discount on Server 2008 -> free.

 

Basically, yes.

That sounds right. The host/server machine needs to run XP Pro or Vista Biz/Ent/Ult... or I guess one of the Server versions.

Any XP or Vista edition, including Home editions, should work as the Client OS.

It depends a lot on the speed of the network connection. I wouldn't expect to be able to play games.

Actually, it's over any kind of network. LAN, internet, whatever. (I believe you can type in an IP address as the remote host to connect to.) However, keep in mind that what network you use may have security and performance implications.


Also, as others have mentioned, if you don't have one of the right editions of Windows on the server, there are other programs you can use instead.

 

OP, almost all of Windows OSs support Remote Desktop.

.Windows XP Home and Windows .Vista Home Editions only support it as a Client. Meaning you can only use it to connect to other versions of Windows; (not the other way around) you cannot connect to these versions as a Remote host.

.Windows XP Pro, Windows .Vista Premium, Server 2003 etc. can be used as both the Client and Remote computer.

Anyhow...ppl don't generally use Remote Desktop to connect to a Remote Machine to play games or do anything that requires heavy system resource usage because in most cases the connection over the Internet wouldn't be fast enough. People mostly use Remote Desktop for business type uses IMO...such as logging into a Server from Home to make sure everything is running smoothly, or to make changes on it etc.

Everyone would have their own reasons for using Remote Desktop but IMHO it's not for playing games...I don't think the user experience would be good at all...unless you've got a pretty fast connection anyway.

And Besides, for what you want to do; it's not gonna be that easy because you'll most likely need to configure port forwarding and rules on not only your Router at home but also the Universities' Router to get a connection both inside and out.

So IMO, the easiest way to connect to your computer at home from school is LogMeIn, but you will need proper permissions to install that software on the school's computer. And BTW, LogMeIn offers a free service...which I use all the time; for free!

 

OK, thanks. That answers all my questions except one - where do I actually go to start Terminal Services/Remote Desktop? I'm guessing it's buried somewhere in the Control Panel, but I can't recall ever having actually seen it.

I'll look into the free LogMeIn, too - missed that while quickly browsing their site last night.

Yeah, I know, but Server 2008 is based on Vista code, which likely means compatibility issues for me. Server 2003 is on XP code, and XP likes my laptop. I'm steering clear of any Vista code until at least Windows 7.

 

Start--> All Programs--> Accessories. It should be there in that list..if not look under Communications and/or System Tools.

 

Thanks - it's there under Accessories!