Remote control software provides technical support and computer access between two PCs running DOS or Windows. There are many DOS remote control programs, such as: Close Up, Reach Out, Carbon Copy, and Co-Session. Here we examine and the most popular remote control package, Norton's pcAnyWhere 5.0.
pcAnyWhere Features
Assume that you're traveling with a notebook computer and modem, and you wish to take remote control of a client's desktop computer.
In pcAnyWhere Terminology:
! The client's desktop PC is the Host. The Host runs a TSR portion of the pcAnyWhere software.
! The notebook computer used to access the Host is called the Remote. The remote runs an executable portion of the pcAnyWhere software.
A Remote Control Session Entails:
! DOS and Windows applications run on the Host's CPU. The image of the Host's video display is transmitted to the Remote's video display.
! The pcAnyWhere executable, not the DOS or Windows application, is running on the Remote's CPU.
! Keystrokes and mouse movements generated on the Remote are sent to the Host.
! Any program or resource (including a LAN or mainframe connection) on the Host is accessible to the Remote.
! pcAnyWhere supports standard file transfer protocols, including X-MODEM, Y-MODEM, Z-MODEM, and Kermit. Sometimes transferring files to the remote and working locally is faster than performing the entire operation on the host.
Five ways to form a remote control connection:
! Dial-up modems.
! High speed digital modems on leased lines.
! A LAN using Novell's IPX or NetBIOS.
! A pcAnyWhere Gateway. This is a computer that has both a modem and a LAN connection. This enables a Remote to access any workstation on the network via the modem and network connections on the pcAnyWhere gateway.
! Direct connection between the serial ports of two PCs using a Null-Modem cable.
LAN Modem Dial-Out sharing protocols supported:
! INT-14
! NASI/NACS
! Telebit ACS
Connection to non-pcAnyWhere Services
! ANSI and terminal emulations including: VT-100/220 and IBM 3101.
Windows Considerations
For a Host with Windows, pcAnyWhere makes modifications to SYSTEM.INI. These drivers are replaced with pcAnyWhere drivers:
In [Boot]:
! display.drv=
! keyboard.drv=
! mouse.drv=
In [386Enh]:
! TimerCriticalSection=500
! NetHeapSize=24
! device=vpcaw.386
! device=aw_vcd.386
Other Considerations:
! The original driver names are stored in PCAW.INI. The contents of this file is used when the pcAnyWhere uninstall option is invoked.
! AW.SWP swap file created on the Remote, helps speed up Windows operation. It can range is size from 64-Kbytes to 96-Kbytes.
! The Host software must be loaded from DOS, not from within Windows.
! The Remote software is always run from DOS. There is a Windows version of pcAnyWhere that enables the Remote to operate under Windows and support multiple Host sessions.
! Avoid complex Windows wallpaper. Better yet, remark-out the wallpaper= statement in the Host's WIN.INI file before starting Windows.
! Skip the Windows advertising logo with the WIN : option.
Typical Remote Control Session
Programs can be invoked from a menu or executed from the DOS command line.
Starting the Host:
! Waiting Mode - Host TSR is loaded. The PC is dedicated pcAnyWhere Host. Used for unattended computers and remote access servers on LANs.
! Incoming Call Mode - Host TSR is active and operating in the background. The Host functions as a PC until an incoming call is sensed. Used to allow a Remote to initiate a long job and periodically check on its progress.
! Hotkey Mode - Host TSR is loaded, but inactive. The Host is activated by pressing the associated hot-key. Used when voice confirmation is required before data connection.
A hot-key is used to access the Host Sessions Options Menu:
! Chat with Remote User
! Set the Print Destination (host, remote, both, or file) must have same type of printer.
! End Session
File Transfer Program
! AWSEND is used to invoke a file transfer operation.
! A split screen shows the file list on the Remote and Host.
! Simple on-screen directions show how to tag and send files.
! Press ESC to see file transfer options menu.
! File transfer can be designated as a foreground or background activity.
Host Security
Unattended remote access requires security precautions. Host security options are:
! Passwords may be required.
! Supports standard intruder alert settings.
! The origin and number of active keyboards may be designated as the: Host, Remote, or Both.
! Lock the Host while waiting to ensure that unauthorized personnel may not access the machine.
! Blank the Host screen so that sensitive data will not be displayed.
! Reboot on disconnect. Performs a warm or cold reboot when the remote is concluded.
! Specify a Remote inactivity time-out period.
! pcAnyWhere also supports data encryption using third-party applications.
Caller Information Settings
The Caller Information Configuration can be created for individual users or groups which will access the Host.
! Password for individual or group.
! Allow caller to blank Host screen.
! Allow caller to reboot the Host.
! Allow caller to change the Host mode.
! Caller is subject to inactivity time-out.
! Log calls from this caller.
! Specify maximum connection time.
! Set an automatic command to execute.
! Allow caller use of <Ctrl><Break> to break out of batch files.
! Drive security restricts access (Read/Write, Read-Only, or No-Access) to each type of the Host's drives (Hard, Floppy and Network drives).
! Invoke Callback phone number for the highest level of security or for reverse billing.
pcAnyWhere Remote Control Lab:
Objective:
To simulate a DOS and Windows remote control session.
Loaded Software:
DOS versions 5.0 or 6.2
Windows 3.1 or 3.11
pcAnyWhere ver.5.0
Procedure:
1. Connect a Desktop and Notebook computer with a dual-headed null-Modem cable. Use the 25-pin, COM2: serial port on the desktop and the 9-pin, COM1: serial port on the Notebook.
2. Determine which computer will play the role of Remote and Host.
a. Host Operation
i. Execute the AW program.
ii. Choose:
(1) Be a Host
(2) Begin Host Operation
(3) Wait for a Connection
b. Remote Operation
i. Choose:
(1) Call a pcAnyWhere Host
(2) Direct
(3) Call
(4) Press Enter twice quickly to establish the connection.
c. If you experience trouble making the connection, check the cables and insure that the baud rate of both the Remote and Host is set to 9,600 bps.
3. During the remote control session:
a. Run NDIAGS to verify the proper operation of the host computer.
b. Run Windows. If Windows hangs during the advertising screen, try WIN :.
c. Run a Windows application such as WinSense or a Norton INI program to gauge the performance.
d. Either through Windows (pcAnyWhere ICON) DOS (Ctrl-{right-shift} invoke the Remote Pop-Up Menu.
i. Try the Chat feature to communicate with the end-user.
ii. Perform a file transfer operation by executing AWSEND.
(1) Mark a file to transfer with the space bar
(2) Set the destination directory.
(3) Press F2 to start the file transfer. Check the destination directory to ensure that the file was transferred and then delete it.