Symantec’s pcAnywhere 9.0
pcAnywhere has 3 main modes of operation: host/remote, file transfer, and gateway. File transfer is self explanatory, permitting the transfer of data between two discrete computers. Gateway mode is designed so that a computer can dial into or out of a network by means of a computer on that network, allowing someone abroad to have access to the corporate intranet or whatnot. The real meat of the program, though, is the host/remote operation.
In host mode, a computer sits rather benignly, allowing the user to work without any interference. In fact, the only evidence that host mode is active is the superfluous icon in the taskbar.
Whilst it sits, it waits for someone, somewhere, to reach out and touch it. This is accomplished by the flipside of the coin: remote operation mode.
When another computer switches into remote operation mode, it immediately looks through its list of potential hosts for those that are available. Hosts can be on any number of protocols, including the standard slew of Microsoft protocols, the standard TCP/IP, LPT ports, and others.
If the protocol of choice happens to be TCP/IP, it retrieves its list of approved addresses, and checks each of them for their availability to host. Once a suitable host has been chosen by the user, logins are requested, confirmed by the host, and the games begin.
At this point the user in remote operation mode has, essentially, complete control of the host PC. In my tests, I was able to control a distant PC and use it to establish a file sharing link back to my local computer. This was not only utterly useless, but cool. However, beyond the trivialities, there are great uses for this. For example, an administrator can troubleshoot PCs in a locked office from his own office, without having to wait for the PC’s owner to return. Its also handy on a server, for software maintenance, among other things.
The interface is quite simple, almost too simple. At times I wished there were more advanced options, but the program gets the job done. While controlling a PC, you have the users desktop in front of you, scaled to a window on your own desktop. Anything you do is echoed on the distant PC. I must also say its fun to start remote control while a user is using the PC, and just start tapping the mouse around the screen, or to insert typos into their documents. But pranks aside, pcAnywhere quite effectively removes the distance from distant computing.
My favorite option while remotely controlling a PC…aah, “Send Ctrl-Alt-Del to Host”. Support for a three fingered salute, even from afar. Its like pushing the red button in the oval office.
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