Remote Login Application

[don't do it]

Hello, I have been trying to find an application that can connect me from mac to mac. Not screen share but a remote login. I will be living in a dorm at my new school next year. I can come home easily because I live so close, but when do I would like to be able to connect to my MacBook at the school since I have a iMac at home. I don't have a .Mac account, so I can't use Back to my Mac, and I need to be able to file share. If there is anyone who can help me with this please respond. I searched this about five different ways and all i got was different things about Apple's Screen Share application. If I'm wrong please correct me but, as far as I know, that will get me absolutely nowhere with this.

Thanks in advance.

 

[VwTdi09]

Remote Login Application Options

You have a few options here.

1. You could invest in Apple Remote Desktop. This is Apple's system administration tool. It's a little expensive but it will let you do everything under the sun (screen share, copy files, install packages, and much, much more).

2. You could enable Remote Management of your home computer, including SSH. Using SSH, you would use the Terminal to copy files back and forth between your machines. This option involves a little more leg work but you don't have to buy any additional software. If you don't have a static IP at home, register for a free DynDNS account (www.dyndns.org). Then in your router at home, set a static IP for you iMac and set up port forwarding for screen sharing and SSH. I know screen sharing uses port 5900 but I forget what SSH uses. Once you have that all set up, you will be able to use the address you got from DynDNS to login to your home computer. I'm not sure how familiar you with command line tools but they are very robust and will be able to get the job done for you. You will just need to get used to not using a GUI.

If you decide to invest in ARD, you will still need to set up a DynDNS account and port forwarding but you will have a GUI to help you do everything you want.

 

[MAC-PRO-DEMON]

I use Back To My Mac allot... but if you don't have Mobile Me... then you obviously can't do that...

I also have Remote Desktop 3... its great... but if you want something that is free... check out a VNC client... E.G. Chicken Of The VNC... is respected...

Maybe... you could have a go at the free LogMeIn service... although I have found that to be quite buggy...

 

[don't do it]

You could enable Remote Management of your home computer, including SSH. Using SSH, you would use the Terminal to copy files back and forth between your machines. This option involves a little more leg work but you don't have to buy any additional software. If you don't have a static IP at home, register for a free DynDNS account (www.dyndns.org). Then in your router at home, set a static IP for you iMac and set up port forwarding for screen sharing and SSH. I know screen sharing uses port 5900 but I forget what SSH uses. Once you have that all set up, you will be able to use the address you got from DynDNS to login to your home computer. I'm not sure how familiar you with command line tools but they are very robust and will be able to get the job done for you. You will just need to get used to not using a GUI.

I don't think I'd be able to do this. cause if I'm trying to connect to my laptop then I would have to do the port forwarding at my school. I don't think they would be to happy about me messing with that.

But I have tried LogMeIn and it is quite buggy. I will look into Chicken Of The VNC and Remote Desktop 3. Thank you.

{Edit}
Remote Desktop 3 not exactly in my price range.
And also when you login to Chicken of the VNC is it just screen share or is it like Remote Desktop Connection Client. cause thats more of the feel I'm going for.

 

[Darth.Titan]

I don't think you're going to find anything that's going to work through the school's routers as most solutions require some type of port forwarding.

GoToMyPC or something of that sort might work, but it's not free.

If I may ask, the original post says you want to be able to connect to your at-school notebook when you are home, correct? If that's the case why not just bring the MacBook home with you to simplify matters? That way you get the added benefit of not having to worry about it being stolen while you're gone.

Just my $.02

 

[uberamd]

You can install a VNC Server (http://sourceforge.net/projects/osxvnc/), then use Chicken of the VNC to connect to your Mac (the VNC server). It basically takes over the desktop session you left open.

 

[maflynn]

I like to use logmein, it installs an OSX component and you can then access your workstation via the logmein.com website. This is much easier then playing with port forwarding and firewall issues. I've yet to get VNC working, but I was able to setup a free logmein account, install the software and connect to my mac all within 10 minutes.

 

[don't do it]

If I may ask, the original post says you want to be able to connect to your at-school notebook when you are home, correct? If that's the case why not just bring the MacBook home with you to simplify matters? That way you get the added benefit of not having to worry about it being stolen while you're gone.

Just my $.02

Yes i know but my roommate will also be using my mac and i can only take it home on some weekends.

After much work, a couple of swear words, and almost snapping in half an ignorant router I finally gave up on the idea of port forwarding. I decided to try LogMeIn again. (the last time i used it was maybe a year ago.) It seems to have improved. So this will work.
Thanks.