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