Remote Desktop, VPN, ???

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I need to remotely control a Win 2k Server. I am using a laptop with XP Home and a desktop with XP Pro.
The laptop and desktop are connected to the net (at home) with a Linksys Router BEFSR41connected to a cable modem. I understand that both the Home and Pro machines have the necessary client software for this task. My problem is configuring the server. I have administrator rights on the server and tried to configure incoming connections. I was able to successfully connect to the server from home but that’s all I have, a connection. No desktop, no nothing, just connected. What am I doing wrong, or what else do I need to do? I’d really appreciate any help anyone could offer.
Thanks

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You need to establish a remote control session, with one of you XP machines as the remote and the server as the host, correct?

XP supports remote control sessions, but only between other systems that have a version of XP installed on them. The remote process will not work from an XP remote to a Windows 2000 host. To accomplish that, you’d need to install Symantec pcAnywhere or LapLink to do the job. Alternately, you could look into Terminal Services but I don’t think that it is the answer you seek.

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Couldn’t you also try the freely available Microsoft Netmeeting, and use the Remote Desktop Sharing feature to accomplish what you need?

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My experience with Netmeeting is that it is not nearly as useful for remote control as a product designed from the ground up to do the same. Granted, I haven’t used NetMeeting in a long time, but I think the aim there is more geared towards training sessions, and it also required too much user intervention the last time I played with it (version 3).

However, I did run across a free application that does the job very well, and fits on a floppy….and even better doesn’t require an installation. I’ve been experimenting with it as an alternative to pcAnywhere for quick and dirty operations: VNC (Virtual Network Computing). For remote control, I think this is one of the best thing around.

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VNC is an excellent product, and you can’t beat the price. I’ve found that although it’s flexible with cross-platform support (linux/unix, mac as well as Windows), it’s a little bit more difficult than other solutions to set up and get going. For example, if you are trying to remotely connect to a PC that generates IP addresses dynamically (dial-up connection or periodically changing cable/DSL connection), you need to know the IP address before you attempt to connect. I also had troubles with using VNC in conjunction with a firewall.

My RC app of choice is now GoToMyPC. It’s not free like VNC, but it doesn’t require knowledge of IP addresses. GoToMyPC runs as a service on the host PC (Windows only), and all that’s required on the client (remote PC) end is a browser and an internet connection. The service polls the GoToMyPC server at regular intervals to let it know that’s online and available for a remote connection. It runs at 128-bit encryption and is password protected in two layers. I know use it exclusively to remotely assist my clients – RC in general is one of the most productive additions I’ve made to my arsenal in quite some time.

(Disclosure: No commerical interest in the company other than with an affiliate program)

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