What programs to use in accessing a corporate network remotely?

ps3ud0

ps3ud0

ps3ud0

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Hi guys,

Hoping you could help me in accessing my work PC from home. I know I should really be having this conversation with my IT department but I wanted a better idea what tools/progs are available to me to do this.

I do have admin access to it but unsure how tight my network is - what progs could I try out to remote access it? Really would help me out when dealing with tight deadlines since my existing access seems to be just glorified email...

TIA

ps3ud0 :cool:
 
Have a look at Hamachi, it will allow you to make the initial network connection to your work PC and then use remote desktop or VNC over Hamachi network link.

Also no firewall config is required as your work PC and home PC connect via a remote 3rd party Hamachi server.

Link: http://www.hamachi.cc/
 
ps3ud0 said:
I know I should really be having this conversation with my IT department...
Click to expand...

That's exactly what you should be doing. Anything else is likely to be considered gross misconduct and could well see you lose your job - is it really worth it?
 
Selekt0r said:
That's exactly what you should be doing. Anything else is likely to be considered gross misconduct and could well see you lose your job - is it really worth it?
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Well Ive had discussion with them (well local support) and there seems no issue in what I want to do, but just getting anything done takes so long especially when Im not always at work...

Considering when I would want to actually do this (effectively in emergencies when the business demands it) I would assume it wouldnt be a huge problem, but you do raise a good point...

ps3ud0 :Cool:
 
Dappy said:
Have a look at Hamachi, it will allow you to make the initial network connection to your work PC and then use remote desktop or VNC over Hamachi network link.

Also no firewall config is required as your work PC and home PC connect via a remote 3rd party Hamachi server.

Link: http://www.hamachi.cc/
Click to expand...

That may be against the company's security policy. I would be very unimpressed if someone did that on my network without asking first.
 
Im not going to try these until Ive spoken to IT first, but want to know what alternatives there are to what they advise. Half the time it seems out of sheer laziness or inability to understand my requirements they say no, which is frustrating when trying to do your job.

Its just unfortunate that the Citrix access I normally use doesnt support Remote Access/Terminal Services to other servers I need to use...

ps3ud0 :cool:
 
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Hamachi is a possible solution but would you want data going via a third party server?

Ask your IT guys if it is possible to setup a VPN on the gateway router. The Cisco router we have at work supports setting up a VPN either between two sites [router to router] or between the office and a singler user [router to client].

This would be more secure and more flexible because you aren't relying on a service provided by anyone else.
 
ps3ud0 said:
Hi guys,

Hoping you could help me in accessing my work PC from home. I know I should really be having this conversation with my IT department but I wanted a better idea what tools/progs are available to me to do this.

I do have admin access to it but unsure how tight my network is - what progs could I try out to remote access it? Really would help me out when dealing with tight deadlines since my existing access seems to be just glorified email...

TIA

ps3ud0 :cool:
Click to expand...

If where you work is big enough to have a IT department, chances are your corporate network will be protected by a hardware firewall of some sort.

If you require remote access to the network it will / should be provided using VPN client software, once connected to the VPN you can access your work PC as if it was part of your local network. You would then be able to connect to your PC using RDP / VNC without any problems.

Basic answer is talk to your IT department, they are there to provide solutions to problems like these, and trying to sort it yourself could find you in hot water for circumventing your companies security policy!
 
SiriusB said:
Hamachi is a possible solution but would you want data going via a third party server?

Ask your IT guys if it is possible to setup a VPN on the gateway router. The Cisco router we have at work supports setting up a VPN either between two sites [router to router] or between the office and a singler user [router to client].

This would be more secure and more flexible because you aren't relying on a service provided by anyone else.
Click to expand...
From what I read on the Hamachi site briefly is that it only intervenes to establish the connection, after that its totally secure and not via anything. Have I got that right?

Definitely cant allow it to go via a 3rd party though due to it being work stuff. How do you guys do it at your workplaces? I could probably just ask for a work laptop but again the time to get that authorised...

Hoping to have a good few ideas for Monday so I can tackle IT on (IBM contract :p)

derfderfley said:
If where you work is big enough to have a IT department, chances are your corporate network will be protected by a hardware firewall of some sort.

If you require remote access to the network it will / should be provided using VPN client software, once connected to the VPN you can access your work PC as if it was part of your local network. You would then be able to connect to your PC using RDP / VNC without any problems.

Basic answer is talk to your IT department, they are there to provide solutions to problems like these, and trying to sort it yourself could find you in hot water for circumventing your companies security policy!
Click to expand...
Im not looking to circumvent anything - I just want to have the knowledgebase, that if they try and put a spanner in the works or advise it will take a lengthy IT request process, that I know of alternatives that I can ask them if I can use. Just want to empower myself :p and do what I am paid to do...

ps3ud0 :cool:
 
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It seems very strange that you don't have a VPN policy in place at your company. All I had to do was ask for access as I do work from home. None of it emergency work, just stuff to tidy up our product database and website, but I was then given a laptop and VPN access via a Cisco VPN client within about 10 days. I use an RSA keyfob and log. Simple as really.

Could there be a reason they don't want you to have it? Have you spoken to your manager to get them to request your remote access?
 
Origin said:
It seems very strange that you don't have a VPN policy in place at your company. All I had to do was ask for access as I do work from home. None of it emergency work, just stuff to tidy up our product database and website, but I was then given a laptop and VPN access via a Cisco VPN client within about 10 days. I use an RSA keyfob and log. Simple as really.

Could there be a reason they don't want you to have it? Have you spoken to your manager to get them to request your remote access?
Click to expand...
Ive got the same access (Citrix ICA and a RCA Keyfob) but the access within it is very generic (conns to Win 2000 Advanced Server). I can access standard Office tools, but the bespoke tools I use arent available through this. Normally I connect to them at the office via TS/Remote Access but I dont have this functionality at the moment.

I havent really engaged IT other than questioning the local support, its just something I want to get dealt with now because of a few things that have happened lately that will make my job a whole lot busier - being effective from home would be very useful, but Id rather have it now than in a couple of weeks time (on annual leave then)...

Im probably not giving IT their due, just seems so much red tape half the time that I try and avoid them at the best of times - we are at the end of a merger, so budgets arent that formalised, so getting IT Requests through are prolonged at the moment...

Anyway Ill be out for a bit - thanks for the replies and food for thought :), hopefully Ill have some more when Im back...

ps3ud0 :cool:
 
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Agreed but would suggest UltraVNC. Install the VNC server on your work desktop PC, then ask for the VNC client to be installed on the W2KAS server so you can Citrix to the server, then VNC to your work desktop which should have all the software you need to use.
 
I use them internally,
but I've seen hacks for the VNC tools over the years.


I use RemotelyAnywhere for working from home.
www.remotelyanywhere.com

It's a good tool for letting contractors into your network,
as the port is locked down to their incoming IP by your firewall,
and all they need at their end is an internet browser.


It passed the "can it be used by a manager ?" test anyway. ;)

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edit: as noted previously, it's odd they have no policy on this ?
it's their job to enable users to work efficiently .
Someone in that dept needs a kick :p

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edit2: Ah, Citrix,
so isn't "Citrix Access Gateway" the thing to use ?

.
 
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