VNC software reomondations.

[morikaweb]

I'm wanting to set up my Sage Server for remote access through VNC. The problem is there is about a million VNC distributions out there, So I'm looking for advance.

In your opinion what is the best/most stable VNC software to use?

[aaronb]

I've been very happy with TightVNC. Pretty much plug and play

[davephan]

RealVNC works OK, here's the link: http://www.realvnc.com/

I also tried tightVNC and that was also OK. You may need to forward the port traffic for VNC in your router for VNC to work.

I think a better choice or perhaps an additional choice is the free LogMeIn version at www.logmein.com

You can setup a list of computers to remote control with LogMeIn. I have been using the free version for several years. LogMeIn is reliable when remote controlling from any other computer. LogMeIn works well to control another computer, although you cannot hear the sound very well. The performance of LogMeIn isn't good enough to edit movies, but is great for basic maintenance. The free version does not have file transfer, but files can be transferred with FTP, skype, or some other method. I think LogMeIn still works if the IP changes on the remote computer.

I have used LogMeIn to control computers in different parts of the US and outside the US. I have also remote controlled my system with LogMeIn while away from my home in the US and from Vietnam.

Whatever means of remote control you use, you should have several different methods. In case you need to upgrade a remote control system, you need a second remote control system to upgrade the first system. Or, if one remote control system breaks, you need a backup method for remote control. At work we have a few different independent systems for remote control. Even with four different remote control systems, it is rare, but it still can happen where all four systems break at the same time. At home, I think you should have at least two different remote control systems.

Dave

[kbyrd]

Another +1 for TightVNC. It seems the easiest to set up. If this is on a LAN, you don't actually need the tight encoding part of TightVNC, but it's still dead simple to use.

If you use the mirror driver for it, you'll get less CPU overhead on the server, but your SageTV window won't render in the VNC client. If you don't use the mirror driver, you get the SageTV window, but it'll poll so don't expect full motion video on the client. You will be able to navigate SageTVs menu's however.

[korben_dallas]

I've used the free version of RealVNC for years. At one workplace the firewall prevented the default port traffic so I changed the VNC port to 22 (SSH) and it worked fine.

If you want the traffic encrypted but still want a free setup, you can tunnel through SSH using an openSSH server running on your home network. The setup is a bit advanced and not for the faint of heart but didn't seem to introduce much latency once finally setup.

If you are using strictly Windows, remote desktop is of course always an option, and I have used it a handful of times for remote work. I prefer VNC because it runs as a separate service and allows you to login to the machine locally as opposed to a terminal session for RDP.

[S_M_E]

I use the paid RealVNC version which supports NT Logon authentication for better security.

[zoundz]

UltraVNC

http://www.uvnc.com/

[ugh]

I second the UltraVNC. Been using that for a few years. rock solid.

[pknowles]

I third UltraVNC. I've been using it on my Sage server for 3 years. Love it.

[thomaszoo]

I started with TightVNC and upgraded to UltraVNC a few years ago. Don't remember why, but it has served me well.

Wayne

[paulbeers]

I use TightVNC. For no other reason than it was the first one I tried. It setup easy. Haven't had a reason to upgrade. Both of my servers run it so I can log into my Sage and my File Servers from my laptop.

[hemicuda]

+1 for UltraVNC, though I started w/ TightVNC. Gives you the option for encryption plug-ins.

[stevech]

I've used UltraVNC for years to access my garage PC (from home/office) where Sage and lots of other things run.

[Olias]

UltraVNC for me. I do like the mirror driver and optional encryption plugins. They just came out with a newer version a few days ago.

[ElGato]

Originally Posted by stevech

I've used UltraVNC for years to access my garage PC (from home/office) where Sage and lots of other things run.

Same here

[Polypro]

TeamViewer!

Install Hamachi as well and set TeamV to accept LAN connections only (with Hamachi you're always on an encrypted LAN)...complete safety anywhere in the world.

http://www.teamviewer.com/index.aspx

P

[hemicuda]

Originally Posted by Olias

UltraVNC for me. I do like the mirror driver...

It should be noted that some video cards do not play well with this. I can't use it with mine due to whatever the conflict is. Hangs the machine on loading the video drivers. CPU is plenty fast enough to not need it though.

[Olias]

Originally Posted by hemicuda

It should be noted that some video cards do not play well with this. I can't use it with mine due to whatever the conflict is. Hangs the machine on loading the video drivers. CPU is plenty fast enough to not need it though.

Have you tried the 1.0.5.3 version yet? It cleared up a couple of video problems for me on Vista machines.

[Ryokurin]

The biggest issue I had wit UltraVNC was that it caused my video card to always have tearing on high res content unless it was in overlay while using the mirror driver. I also wouldn't recommend using VNC over the internet unless you use UltraVNC's encryption driver, or setup SSH first as VNC passwords are clear text.

Personally, what I do nowadays is windows remote desktop. Its quicker than VNC, has sound and is basically set up out of the box. I do use a modified DLL to keep it from logging out the main account however.

[S_M_E]

RealVNC has encryption built-in...