Remote Access for users

[Darylrese]

Hi Guys,

 

We are still relying on products such as GoToMyPC and Logmein for our users to have remote access and its a total pain because our firewall is controlled via the local council and also the PC's keep getting turned off by cleaners which makes for some rather angry staff members!

 

What is the best way for us to give remote access to a desktop for our users?

 

We were waiting for a Terminal Server to be setup and licensed by an Academy we were going to join but that has fallen through.

 

We have a VSphere setup and 120 staff who may need access but not all at the same time.

 

Something cheap / free is always preferred!

 

Cheers

[synaesthesia]

Depends on what you want them to be able to do with it. If it's changing files mostly, then a standard install of Home Access Plus will do wonders. If you need access to SIMS then look at HAP again alongside Remote Desktop Services (RemoteApps)

[Darylrese]

They will need access to their user account (documents), Sims, Pars, shared areas, everything they can on site really.

[synaesthesia]

RemoteApps will probably be your best friend along with HAP then. Set up remote desktop services (this is all of course assuming you have teh relevant licensing!) and you can set up PARS, SIMS etc as remoteapps so they'll work in a similar fashion as they do within school.

 

Otherwise SSL Explorer might be worth a look maybe for full remote access. Again, free and not too difficult to setup; requires a Linux box though.

[RTFM]

Have a look at SonicWall SRA devices, fairly cheap and really powerful.

[Darylrese]

I believe SSL Explorer has been abandoned and I have very little knowledge of Linux.

 

SonicWall looks good but at £1000+ the school wont be able to afford it

[synaesthesia]

Abandoned yes. Doesn't mean it doesn't work!

[BKGarry]

I used to use SSL Explorer on a windows box before HAP came along. :-)

 

TBH SSL Explorer was pretty much solid for remote access to internal files and home drives

[sted]

direct access? possibly or some sort of terminal server / vdi server would get my vote logmein is sueful but its only 1 user to 1 pc whereas a terminal server is many users to 1 pc

[Darylrese]

I'm giving HAP a go, the installation instructions are pretty out of date though so having trouble setting it up in ISS, the latest tutorial doesn't tally up with what i'm seeing in ISS.

 

Authentication ONLY HAS anonymous authentication and MIME Types gives error cannot add duplicate collection entry

 

We were hoping to go for terminal server, however licensing never happened due to the academy status falling through.

[SovietRussia]

I'm giving HAP a go, the installation instructions are pretty out of date though so having trouble setting it up in ISS, the latest tutorial doesn't tally up with what i'm seeing in ISS.

 

Authentication ONLY HAS anonymous authentication and MIME Types gives error cannot add duplicate collection entry

 

We were hoping to go for terminal server, however licensing never happened due to the academy status falling through.

 

Install the auth features, go to Windows Features - Web Server and tick the relevant boxes.

[synaesthesia]

The owner/developer of HAP is on Edugeek so take a look at the relevant forum for any direct advise on it He's most helpful!

[Duke5A]

Here is another vote for HAP. I'm still using v7.9 in a district of about 250 teachers and haven't had any real issues with. Staff loves it and it is one of the few things I can setup and forget about (with the exception of security updates of course). I will admit though the documentation is a bit lacking.

[TheScarfedOne]

Plus 1 for HAP; but also TS and Remote Apps as well here. A combo of both is probably what you are looking for. There are a good number of RDS users on here, so shout if you need some advice to get going...

[Mr_Jiminy]

Out of curiosity, to facilitate any of the above options I take it it's advisable to look at putting in place a DMZ and ASA? Or am I wrong? I'm looking at providing remote access of sort myself. Edited June 11, 2013 by Mr_Jiminy

[CyberNerd]

I would advise using DMZ. All of our remote access servers are DMZ based.

TBH I think that if remote access is anywhere near a priority for your senior team then they will find the money if you come up with some options.

[Darylrese]

Thanks guys,

 

Getting further with the install of Home Access Plus, just having problems opening MIME types in ISS now, its giving error, any ideas?

 

[synaesthesia]

Hiya, post in Home Access Plus+ - specific for this

[Darylrese]

Many thanks, will post in there about HAP