In the last article, I introduced Hamachi, a free software to easily create a VPN. Hamachi works even when computers are behind a router, so you can easily use it between office, home and anywhere.

UltraVNC is another useful remote tool and it is open source. If you have use tools like PCAnywhere, UltraVNC is something like it. UltraVNC allows you to connect to and take control of a remote computer.

Used together with Hamachi, you can connect to a computer behind your office router without having to set up special port forwarding in the router. (In the UltraVNC website, there are some other solutions to accomplish the same thing. I have not tried them since Hamachi+UltraVNC works for me.)

The advantages of using UltraVNC with Hamachi are

• Encryption. Hamachi already encrypts all traffic by default. So UltraVNC traffic are encasulate within.
• Private IP. Connect with private IPs and not available on public IP network (for computers behind router).

Let’s take a quick look at how to use UltraVNC.

After downloading and installing UltraVCN, you will find two programs – a Viewer and Server. In order for UltraVNC to work, it has to be installed in the local and remote computer.

To use with Hamachi, make sure Hamachi is installed and setup on both computers as well.

UltraVNC Server

The server should be running on the remote computer for connection to happen. The default configuration should work but go ahead and try the different options.

A password is recommended if you do not want just anyone to be able to connect to it.

During install you can elect to install it as a service so that it starts with your Windows startup. (Note: Hamachi service required a paid version or extra setup.)

One drawback of UltraVNC is that the server is Windows only. On other platforms, try TightVNC.

Viewer

The viewer is simply use to connect to the server and view the remote computer screen.

Simply enter the remote IP and click on the Connect button. (With Hamachi you can find the remote IP under your network list)

Some typical use of UltraVNC

• Remote tech support. This is the most popular use. A huge market exists for this class of software. I often use this to help my wife with her computer problems.
• Looking at what a co-worker sees directly – no need for screen capture.
• Run program or access files not on shared folders.

Chinese support

No Chinese language interface available in the standard install. Browsing the forum, there is some translation work going on but it is not clear how to install and change to a different language.

Typical Chinese IT workers should be able to understand the English interface though a simple way to switch language would be a great plus. Building software with no language support should go the way of dinosaur in the Internet world.

Where to get it?

• UltraVNC is at http://ultravnc.sourceforge.net/
• Current version: 1.0.2
• Function: Remote PC Control and Access

Related Post:

• Share your LAN with Hamachi

One solution is to get Hamachi installed on both PCs.

Hamachi is not open source but the free version is very usable and I have used it on occassions between office, home and client’s location. (Hamachi had just been acquired by LogMeIn Inc in August 2006, it seems like the free version will continue to be available.)

There are a number of solutions available to achieve remote connection, even Windows XP comes with Remote Desktop. But what makes Hamachi stands out is the ease of use. Once installed, you just have to follow the few guided steps to get it up and running.

If you have ever tried connecting to remote computers with softwares like VNC, PCAnywhere or even a VPN you will find that the setup is often a big hassle, especially for non-technical users.

Here are a few problematic scenarios I can think of,

• you are behind a firewall in a client’s office
• you office LAN is behind a router (or wireless router)
• you do not know the IP of the remote computer
• you need some to run a host/server at the remote computer to listen to your connection

Hamachi’s concept, however, makes it easy to deal with all these sceanrios. There are no ports to be opened or configured and no need to find the remote IP. (For the technically inclined, find out how it works)

The steps are simple (and Hamachi comes with a very intuitive Quick Guide that explains each step.)

1. Download and run the install. (Assuming you are using the Windows version.)
2. If this is your first installation, you need to create a Network.
   A Network is basically like a workgroup with members of the same Network can share resource.
3. Once you have installed Hamachi on other computers, add them to the same Network

Once Hamachi is running this is what you see.

How to connect to shared folders?

If your office LAN has a few computer sharing files, you can install Hamachi with all computers in the same Hamachi network.

Right-click on any member of the network and click browse. You will be able to browse the file like in Windows’ Network Neighbourhood.

One draw back of the free version Hamachi is that the program cannot be run as a service. What this means is that a Windows XP user is required to log on and run Hamachi. In another word, connecting to an unattended computer may fail if the computer does not auto-logon like in the case of multiple user or password protected computer.

Fear not! Go to the Hamachi forum, a source of many useful information, you will find solution to this and many more advanced usage.

In the meantime, try Hamachi, I’m sure it will bring a new level of connectedness in your business and work.

What I like about Hamachi?

• very easy to use, even for non-technical users
• no messy configuration
• file and print sharing across multiple LAN and locations
• other network protocols (like SSH, FTP, HTTP, VNC) can go through it transparently
• encrypted

My wishlist for Hamachi

• official support for FreeBSD

Chinese support

The Simplified Chinese version of Hamachi can downloaded from the download page (click on “Click here for more languages”).

In the English version, Hamachi is able to support Chinese characters in the Nickname and Network name. So there is no problem using Hamachi in a mixed English-Chinese environment.

Where to get it?

• Hamachi is at http://www.hamachi.cc/
• Current version: 1.0.1.1
• Function: VPN, LAN over the Internet

Related Post:

• Remote Control with UltraVNC