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VPN & Remote Desktop - Question for current owners..

C

CodeMonkey

Guest
Seriously thinking about giving up my macbook and replacing it for day to day use with the Transformer.

The dealbreaker is that I need to be able to VPN into my office and control my workstation there using a Remote Desktop app.
I've tried this with my Atrix (stock, v2.2.2) using the built in PPTP VPN and the XtraLogic app but have not been successful. I believe that this is due to some reported bugs with PPTP VPN and encryption. (I am able to use Xtralogic to control machines within my local network).

Is anyone successfully connecting this way?
Note that I cannot use any other remote working options in my office (LogMeIn, VNC, TeamViewer, etc).

NB: my alternative option is to connect using Cisco VPN but my understanding is that this is not yet available for non-rooted non-Samsung devices.
 
I use PocketCloud. It supports RDP, but you will need to download the software client on your work computer. The app works great on mine and is pretty hassel free. Not sure if this will help you or not.
 
kampfwolf09 said:
I use PocketCloud. It supports RDP, but you will need to download the software client on your work computer. The app works great on mine and is pretty hassel free. Not sure if this will help you or not.
Click to expand...

Thanks for responding. I've tried PocketCloud's RDP connection, however I'm not in a position to install remote access software on the workstation. I can do it from an access point of view, but our internal IT support would well have have issues with me doing so.
The issue for me is not remote connection, merely the VPN connection (I think).
 
CodeMonkey said:
Thanks for responding. I've tried PocketCloud's RDP connection, however I'm not in a position to install remote access software on the workstation. I can do it from an access point of view, but our internal IT support would well have have issues with me doing so.
The issue for me is not remote connection, merely the VPN connection (I think).
Click to expand...

Also looking foward to a VPN solution, but in the interim, your IT dept may be happy with an SSL RDP connection (assuming your servers support it). you can use a client like Xtralogic's ($20, if I'm not mistaken). Works very well for me.
 
mihaelb said:
Also looking foward to a VPN solution, but in the interim, your IT dept may be happy with an SSL RDP connection (assuming your servers support it). you can use a client like Xtralogic's ($20, if I'm not mistaken). Works very well for me.
Click to expand...

I bought the Xtralogic app already but I doubt my IT dept will let me through without the VPN (corporate guidelines). I'm going to have a word with IT this week (hopefully) and test the RDP connection from within the corporate network using the wireless access, just to narrow the field further.

I'm keeping my fingers crossed that Cisco AnyConnect can be brought to Honeycomb as I have Cisco VPN option available as well.

Plan B involves picking up a silent headless windows mini pc for connecting to work, getting a Transformer and selling the macbook.

Either way I need to do something as my mac has declared open warfare on me - it's started randomly deleting photo albums from iPhoto recently as well as Timemachine failing..
 
what if you leave your home computer connected via the VPN, and doing RDP to it from the TF? can also use Crossloop (will need to get the pro version that will remain logged-in and listening on your PC) with this scenario.

Not ideal, but would work.
 
Brilliant, mikey-b!

I too have used pocket cloud on my vibrant with tightvnc server on the puter for quite some time and continue to amaze people with it. It works so well. I wonder...does that pocket cloud app work on the tf? If so, that would be AMAZING for me right now...

Can someone test it?

Michael's idea is probably going to be the easiest, most efficient way of sidestepping your uncooperative IT dept if the pocket cloud app works as well for the tf as it does for me.

Oh...and, as a side note, boo apple...
 
rmp5s said:
Brilliant, mikey-b!

I too have used pocket cloud on my vibrant with tightvnc server on the puter for quite some time and continue to amaze people with it. It works so well. I wonder...does that pocket cloud app work on the tf? If so, that would be AMAZING for me right now...

Can someone test it?

Michael's idea is probably going to be the easiest, most efficient way of sidestepping your uncooperative IT dept if the pocket cloud app works as well for the tf as it does for me.

Oh...and, as a side note, boo apple...
Click to expand...

It's an interesting idea but I'm looking to give up my macbook which is my home machine (excluding the WHS and sundry other dedicated devices) to replace with a TF.
I wouldn't class my IT dept as unhelpful - as a senior developer I work with them quite a bit, but corporate guidelines are corporate guidelines; I don't expect them to turn a blind eye or stick their neck out for me in today's tough job market.
I'm still hopeful that VPN problems will be solved - I've yet to confirm that the PPTP Encryption is still an issue with the latest Honeycomb...
Yesterday I confirmed that it is the VPN that's the issue; I was able to connect to our office WAP and RDP without issue to my workstation from my Atrix using the Xtralogic app.

On a side note, I've had a play this morning with a TF in the local store - very nice :cool:
 
rmp5s said:
Brilliant, mikey-b!

I too have used pocket cloud on my vibrant with tightvnc server on the puter for quite some time and continue to amaze people with it. It works so well. I wonder...does that pocket cloud app work on the tf? If so, that would be AMAZING for me right now...

Can someone test it?
Click to expand...

See my post. It works perfectly.
 
Just thought I'd post back with my 'workaround' solution, albeit theoretical at the moment.

I've made the decision to obtain a cheap mini PC for certain tasks that I don't want to offload on my WHS when I sell the Macbook - specifically email storage, iPod syncing, and photos storage. I've obtained a slightly used Dell Zino HD which I'm going to build up on Windows 7
I intend to use the PC headless and wired to my network; this will then connect to the work vpn on demand and use hosted services to share the VPN connection out through the built in 'n' wireless card. I believe that this should then let me use an Android device to connect and remote desktop to my office.
With any luck I should have this built up and working by the end of next week; once I've tested with my Atrix I can then offload my macbook on eBay and pick up a Transformer for my day to day use at home.
 
Another solution is to build up that windows PC and use "Splashtop" on the tablet.

It's currently on sale for download for $10, you install the app then an .exe on the PC. You enter the security codes, as long as they're on teh same wifi network, you can control the PC from the tablet. (You see the PC screen on the tablet.)

You could unplug the monitor on the PC after taht first config/install and never use the monitor again. :-)
 
kampfwolf09 said:
Remote into a remote pc....sound good in principle, interested to see if it works in practice.
Click to expand...

Should do - I used to chain remote through machines to servers that I had no direct access to at one of my previous employers :D
 
AutobahnSHO said:
Another solution is to build up that windows PC and use "Splashtop" on the tablet.

It's currently on sale for download for $10, you install the app then an .exe on the PC. You enter the security codes, as long as they're on teh same wifi network, you can control the PC from the tablet. (You see the PC screen on the tablet.)

You could unplug the monitor on the PC after taht first config/install and never use the monitor again. :-)
Click to expand...

Oh I don't own a monitor - I'll do the initial install at work and then configure for remote access via Xtralogic and LogMeIn. The Zino has an HDMI port and we've 2 HD tellies at home if I need a screen :D
 
kampfwolf09 said:
Remote into a remote pc....sound good in principle, interested to see if it works in practice.
Click to expand...

People do it all the time- with windows remote login. Servers and such are usually in a different room/building than the people who work on them. ;-)

Splashtop is pretty cool. My netbook is too weak in the processor/RAM department to stream netflix to my Transformer, so I can't wait to go home and try it with my desktop tomorrow.
 
I am in Rapid City today, running my office Windows XP computer in Dallas on a corporate network using 2X Client (free android app). It works great. In fact, a little while ago, I even printed out some files for my staff on a networked printer at the office.
 
TexasBadger said:
I am in Rapid City today, running my office Windows XP computer in Dallas on a corporate network using 2X Client (free android app). It works great. In fact, a little while ago, I even printed out some files for my staff on a networked printer at the office.
Click to expand...

See...it's this kind of thing that would make the TF (which I ordered day before yesterday...:-D) indespensible [sp...] to me. I run a VNC server on my machine at home and use PocketCloud on my phone to monkey around with it and it works GREAT. If I could use that or another program like it to use the machine at home (which apparently there are more than one program that will do that) AND transfer files to the TF from the home machine, I will be elated and probably won't even buy a laptop when I get home as I had originally planned. Is there an app that will allow me to connect to the machine at home and transfer files between the TF and the PC at home? And, if I can do this through SSL, that would be even better. I guess I could turn the machine at home into a server and SSH into it or something...hmmm...maybe even just wget from the terminal on the TF? *mind spinnin*

Can't wait to get the tf!

Also...as a Chrome OS Beta Tester, this is something that the Chrome OS REALLY needs. They might have it now (I've been out of the country and away from my beloved CR-48 for a few months now) but they didn't when I was using it before. The ability to use the Chrome OS as a media to use a remote PC would be awesome.
 
So I went ahead with my plans and picked up a TF from a local store on Friday morning.
The macbook is now sitting unused in a drawer pending cleanup for sale and has been unused since Saturday morning.
I've been using a combination of LogMeIn and Remote Desktop to meet my heavier needs, chaining RDC connections where necessary (through a headless Dell Zino running Win7).

However I've just updated OTA to 3.2 and retested my PPTP VPN connection with Remote Desktop and.... it now works!

Seriously pleased..
 
Rock on. Been too busy the last few days but I will try to see how my win7 games work on the tablet with Splashtop HD tonight...
 
AutobahnSHO said:
Rock on. Been too busy the last few days but I will try to see how my win7 games work on the tablet with Splashtop HD tonight...
Click to expand...

I would be VERY interested in how this works. I think it would be AWESOME to take my little tablet to the local hang and run around a bit on WoW through wifi. Wonder how that'd work....hmm....

I know the VNC protocol is very delayed due to the way it has to query the video card for updates or something like that...is this also the case with RDP? I've never tried it.
 
I figured. There are lots of variables so I could see how it could even get a little better or worse. Have you ever used VNC though? You get...like...a refresh every 2 seconds...lol VERY unusable for movies and the like. As long as it's smooth, a little delay isn't too big of a deal.
 
Completed a day's work via Remote Desktop (XtraLogic app) through the stock Android PPTP VPN (with encryption) with only 1 dropout, which I believe was down to a IP release & renew from my router.
Nice to finally have this working properly.
Macbook is now on eBay :-)
 
VPN is good but it is costly. Also, there is lot of traffic congestion while using VPN from places such as Airports, Hotels, etc. I would suggest continuing using remote support tools like logmein, teamviewer, R-HUB remote support servers, Bomgar etc.
 
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