Vnc

[peekaboo]

I've downloaded the free edition of real vnc.
i intend to install it on the computers in my university lab since i am in charge of computers there and i'd rather do that stuff from home.
i've installed the software on my test computer and i don't know how to configure it so that i can connect to it without typing in the ip address.
i'd like to be able to name all the computers in the lab and not have to type in each ip address.

i'm also having trouble transferring files (i just don't know how).

helpful suggestions appreciated.

[faulkner132]

If you are connecting from home (not on the same network) you are going to have to enter the IP. You could remote into a single machine on the school network and then open another VNC session to the client on that network using only the machine name... you would probably have to do this if you have DHCP on the school network.

[peekaboo]

so far i've only installed it on my other computer which is on the same network and i don't know how to configure it so that it has a stored name (instead of ip).

copy/paste from viewer to server didn't seem to work, so how would i transfer files back and forth?

[glc]

VNC is not designed for file transfer, it's simply remote control. You will have to do that through Windows filesharing in the workgroup - easy enough in the lab but more difficult from home. You may be able to do it with a FTP server running on your home machine and FTP clients on the lab machines.

I think you need to bite the bullet and use static local IP's in the lab - then forward separate ports in the router (2 for each machine) and customize each VNC server instance for unique ports for accessing all the machines from home. The only IP you will need to know is the public IP, and you will have to keep a list of the ports for each machine. To connect, you browse to http:/xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx:yyyy where X's are public IP and Y's are the control port for that machine. If the lab machines are all public IP, you have to use the public IP unless each machine is registered in the Internet DNS system with a discrete name.

[peekaboo]

bite the bullet? does that mean there are risks?

i'm not intending to do massive file transfers, just work on the website from home and then be able to upload the files to the lab server.

each computer has a discrete name and the ip does not randomly change. does that make it easier?

[glc]

Bite the bullet as in forget about being able to access them by name.