Virtual Private Networking
Another means for connecting two distant computers one to another is to set up a VPN, or virtual private network. A VPN is a secure network achieved over the internet. Where pcAnywhere is more for dialing into a single client computer, for tasks like management and whatnot, VPN works allowing clients to dial up to the internet and connect to their corporate server.
The upside of this is that it effectively allows many users to connect at one time to the corporate intranet from anywhere in the world. The downside is that it requires a server. This, in effect, puts this solution out of reach of the traditional consumer. Most home users do not have a server sitting in their trunk (memo to self: remove server from trunk). As such, this solution is not cost effective. It is, however, useful for those who do happen to have a server and the computer savvy to implement it.
Implementation requires a bit of knowledge of working with NT Server 4 or Windows 2000 Server. First, you need the server set up with Remote Access Services and PPTP, and secondly you need all the users and permissions set up. Client computers need any necessary updates (Windows 95 doesn’t come with support for VPN without the patch to dial-up networking 1.2) as well as the VPN connection set up.
When connected to the internet, a client merely runs the VPN connection, which then finds the specified IP address and pops up a login dialog requesting the username, password, and NT domain which to login to. After successfully logged in, its just like being directly connected to the network. Going into network neighborhood reveals all shared resources as being right there, shared.
Another strong upside to VPN is that its built into NT at the onset. There are no programs that you need to run out to the local software shack and swipe. As long as you have the NT CD, you have the VPN services.
Conclusion
The two choices are both great, but for two totally different reasons. For sheer networking power, VPN is a wonderful solution, as its just like a local network. It functions just like a local network, and as such for standard users connecting to the main office or whatnot from Timbuktu or Nepal or where-have-you, it’s a great tool.
Where VPN falls short, management potential, pcAnywhere kicks in. The ability of pcAnywhere to allow for manipulating the host computer instead of merely sharing resources is a great boon to IT people fixing offsite computer problems, or computer problems from offsite, whichever the case may be.
Of course, such uses are only the beginning, as there are I’m certain innumerable other uses that you can dream up. The choice is yours which is the best solution.
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