C H A P T E R

Allowing others to control your computer

As a host, you let authorized remote users connect to your computer and take control of it. The remote user sees your computer screen and can open files or programs that you have given the user permission to access.

In a corporate setting, your system administrator may be responsible for setting up a host server so that people can connect to the network while away from the office. However, there are a number of reasons why you may need to set up your computer as a host. For example, you can set up your office computer as a host, so that your system administrator can remotely fix a problem, or so that you can connect to your office computer when working from home.

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This chapter contains the following:

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Managing host connections

■

Setting up a host computer

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Starting a host session

Ending a host session

Letting multiple remote users hold a conference

Managing host connections

Host connection items contain the connection and security information that the host requires to let a remote user connect, perform operations, and end a session. These items appear as icons in the pcAnywhere Manager window. You can manage your host connections by creating new connection items that contain unique settings for each type of connection

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Allowing others to control your computer that the host supports, or by modifying the settings of an existing connection item.

Creating a new host connection item

For more control over your connections, you can create unique connection items to handle connections from specific types of hardware devices or from specific users. For example, if many remote users need to connect to your computer, you can set up a separate connection item for each user that contains a unique password and file access permissions.

For more information, see

“Setting up a host computer” on page 45.

To create a new host connection item

1

In the pcAnywhere Manager window, click

Hosts

.

2

On the File menu, click

New

.

Modifying a host connection item

The settings on the host connection item’s property page are grouped by tabs. This table explains where to find the settings that you need.

Tab

Connection Info

Settings

Callers

Lets you For more information, see

Select the connection device for sessions that use this connection item.

A host can wait for a connection on two separate devices.

“Selecting the host connection method” on page 46.

Control the options for a remote control session, including when to start and end a session and what to do if a remote user loses the connection.

“Controlling the host session” on page 47.

Select a method for verifying that a user has permission to connect to the host, set up logon accounts for individuals or user groups, and specify what level of access the user should have.

“Setting up caller accounts” on page 96 and

“Specifying caller privileges” on page 100.

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Setting up a host computer

Tab Lets you

Security Options Set security options for connections and logons and data encryption levels for remote control sessions.

For more information, see

“Securing your computer and sessions” on page 93 and

“Using encryption to protect data” on page 105.

Conference

Protect Item

Set up a conference, so that multiple remote users can log on to the host.

Protect the connection item with a password.

“Letting multiple remote users hold a conference” on page 52.

“Protecting your configuration settings” on page 103.

To modify a host connection item

1

In the pcAnywhere Manager window, click

Hosts

.

2

Right-click the connection item that you want to modify, then click

Properties

.

Setting up a host computer

Before remote users can connect to your computer, you must set up your computer to allow the connections. You must specify the connection device, what method to use to ensure that remote users have permission to access your computer, and what to do after the session has ended. You can also prevent others from viewing or inadvertently cancelling your host session.

This information is stored in a host connection item file, which appears as an icon in the pcAnywhere Manager window. pcAnywhere provides three default connection items: direct, modem, and network, each of which contains unique connection and security settings.

For more information, see

“Managing host connections” on page 43.

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Allowing others to control your computer

Selecting the host connection method

Whether you set up a host to wait for a connection from a remote computer or to initiate a connection to a remote computer, you must specify what type of device your computer uses to handle connections.

You can set up a host to wait for a connection from two different devices.

For example, you can set up your office computer to wait for either a modem connection from your home computer or a direct connection from your laptop computer. A host can accept only one connection at a time.

After establishing a connection on one device, the other device is not available until the session ends.

You can also control the settings of some types of connection devices such as a modem or communications port.

For more information, see

“Customizing connection devices” on page 131.

To select the host connection method

1

In the pcAnywhere Manager window, click

Hosts

.

2 Right-click the connection item that you want to configure, then click

Properties

.

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Setting up a host computer

3

4

On the Connection Info tab, select up to two connection devices:

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For modem connections, select the name of your modem, which is listed at the top of the device list.

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For network connections, select the network protocol (TCP/IP, SPX,

NetBIOS) that the host uses.

If you are using a cable modem or digital subscriber line, such as

ADSL or DSL, you must use TCP/IP.

For direct connections, select an available port.

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An LPT port is recommended; however, if you are using Windows

NT or Windows 2000, you must select a COM port.

Click

OK

.

If an ISDN device is installed and configured properly on the computer, pcAnywhere adds it to the list of connection devices. ISDN connections are handled differently, depending on your location.

For more information, see

“Customizing ISDN connections” on page 134 or

“Customizing European ISDN connections” on page 135.

To configure an ISDN connection

1

In the pcAnywhere Manager window, click

Hosts

.

2

3

Right-click the connection item that you want to configure, then click

Properties

.

On the Connection Info tab, do one of the following:

■

In Europe, check ISDN via CAPI.

4

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In any other location, select the name of your ISDN device.

Click

OK

.

Controlling the host session

For each host connection item, you can control when to start the host, what to do after ending a session, and how to protect the security of the host during and after a session.

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Allowing others to control your computer

To set the host startup options

1

In the pcAnywhere Manager window, click

Hosts.

2 Right-click the connection item that you want to configure, then click

Properties

.

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3 On the Settings tab, select from among the following host start-up options:

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Check

Launch With Windows

to automatically start a host session when the host computer is started.

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■

Check

Use Windows Screen Saver

to launch a Windows screen saver whenever the host is waiting for a connection.

Add a password to prevent unauthorized users from cancelling the waiting host.

Check

Run Minimized

to hide the status dialog box.

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A host icon appears in the system tray when waiting for a connection.

(NT only) Check

Lock NT Workstation

to prevent unauthorized users from cancelling the waiting host.

(NT only) Check

Run As A Service

if you are launching a host in

Windows NT.

Setting up a host computer

You can also control what to do after an unexpected loss of connection.

Normally, a session ends when either the host or the remote user cancels the session. However, network or equipment problems might cause either the host or the remote to lose a connection. A connection might also be dropped because of a security issue, such as an unauthorized user trying to break in; therefore, it is important to secure the host after a session ends.

You can choose different options for handling an abnormal end of session and a normal end of session.

To secure the host after a session ends

1

In the pcAnywhere Manager window, click

Hosts

.

2

Right-click the connection item that you want to configure, then click

Properties

.

3

4

5

On the Settings tab, do one of the following:

■

Click

Wait For Anyone

to wait for another connection.

■

Click

Cancel Host

to prevent other connections.

When configuring security options for an abnormal end of session, select how many minutes to wait before proceeding with the security option.

Check

and secure by

, then do one of the following:

■

Click

Logoff user

.

■

■

Click

Restart host computer

.

(NT only) Click

Click

OK

.

Lock NT Workstation

.

Protecting the host computer

The first line of defense in protecting your computer and network from unauthorized access is to select the strongest method of user authentication that your computer environment can support. User authentication is the method by which a remote user who attempts to connect to your computer is checked against a list of valid users to ensure that the remote user has permission to access your computer. pcAnywhere requires that you select some method of user authentication for a host session. You can further control the level of access a remote user has to your computer once a connection has been established. For instance, you can restrict a remote user’s access to specific files.

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Allowing others to control your computer

For more information, see

“Securing your computer and sessions” on page 93.

Starting a host session

You can host a remote control session in one of three ways:

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Launching a host to wait for connections from authorized remote users

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For more information, see

“To wait for a call from a remote computer” on page 51.

Initiating a connection with a remote computer, then allowing the remote user to take control

For more information, see

“To call a remote computer” on page 51.

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Accepting a voice first connection over a telephone line, then switching to data mode, using the same connection

For more information, see

“To wait for a voice first call from the remote” on page 52 and

“To make a voice first modem connection to the host” on page 65.

When you start a session, a host icon appears on the system tray on your

Windows desktop. Unless you select security measures to hide the activity on your screen or lock your keyboard and mouse, you can access the host online menu by right-clicking the host icon.

Host online menu

Host icon

Using the host online menu, you can display status information, end a session, and initiate file transfers.

For more information, see

“Ending a host session” on page 52 and

“Transferring files” on page 82.

Waiting for a connection

When you launch a host session, your computer waits for connections from authorized remote users, using the connection device that is selected in the host’s Connection Info property tab. If two devices are selected, the host waits for a call on both devices. However, the host can accept only

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Starting a host session one type of connection at a time. When a connection is established on one device, the other device is not available until the session ends.

Use this method if the host computer is running unattended, or if you do not need to interact with the remote user. For example, use this method if you want to connect to your office computer from home.

To wait for a call from a remote computer

1

In the pcAnywhere Manager window, click

Hosts

.

2

Double-click the host connection item that you want to run.

Calling a remote computer

The host computer can initiate a connection with a remote computer. The remote computer resembles host behavior in that it must be waiting for the connection. However, unlike a typical host session, after the connection is established, the remote computer controls the activities on the host. Use this method for added security if you do not want remote users to initiate connections with your computer.

To call a remote computer

1

In the pcAnywhere Manager window, click

Hosts

.

2

Right-click the host connection item that uses the same connection device that the remote computer is waiting on, then click

Call

Remote

.

3

Do one of the following:

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For dial-up or modem connections, type the telephone number for the remote computer, then click

OK

.

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For network connections, type the host name or IP address, then click

OK

.

Once the connection is made, the remote user can take control of the host computer.

Accepting a voice first call

Voice first connections require a modem. The remote and host users have a voice conversation and then switch to data mode, using the same connection. Use this method to save time if you need to speak with the host user over the telephone before starting the remote control session.

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Allowing others to control your computer

The remote user initiates the call, and the host computer must be waiting for the call.

To wait for a voice first call from the remote

1

In the pcAnywhere Manager window, click

Hosts

.

2

3

Right-click the modem connection item that you want to use, then click

Voice First

.

When you answer a call from the remote user, a dialog box appears on both the host and remote computers.

Click

OK

when you are finished with your conversation.

The remote control session can begin after you both hang up the receiver.

Ending a host session

Either the host or remote can end a session. The security settings that you select on the Settings property tab determine whether the host waits for another connection or is cancelled.

For more information, see

“To secure the host after a session ends” on page 49.

To end a session from the host

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On the host online menu, click

End Session

.

Letting multiple remote users hold a conference

Conferencing lets multiple remote users connect to a single host and simultaneously view the host’s activities. For example, you can host a conference to conduct a software training demonstration that can be viewed by any remote user who connects to the host PC.

A conference is basically a remote control session, except that multiple remote users connect to the host at the same time. The first caller can connect using any connection device; however, subsequent callers must use a TCP/IP network connection. The first remote user to establish a connection controls the host. Other users can view the activity on the host screen, but cannot take control of the host.

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Letting multiple remote users hold a conference

Setting up the conference host

To let multiple remote users connect to your host computer, you must specify the information needed to make the connection. You can start with an existing host connection item or create a new one.

For more information, see

“To create a new host connection item” on page 44.

For more information, see

“Setting up a host computer” on page 45.

To configure a conference host

1

In the pcAnywhere Manager window, click

Hosts

.

2 Right-click the host connection item that you want to use, then click

Properties

.

3

4

On the Conference tab, check

Enable conferencing

.

Select one of the following options:

■

Obtain IP Address Automatically

Selecting this option lets your network server automatically assign an available Class D IP address. (Conferencing uses a form of communication called multicast, which requires a valid Class D address.)

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Allowing others to control your computer

5

6

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Specify IP Address

Select this option if you know the IP address and want to type it in.

The address must be a valid Class D IP address within the range of

225.1.1.1 through 239.254.254.254.

If you are using routers to increase the broadcast area of the conference, select the number of routers you want to use in the

Allow

Conference Over “x” Routers

list box.

Click

OK

.

Starting a conference

The steps for starting a conference are almost the same as starting a remote control session.

To start a conference

1

2

Configure the computer that will host the conference.

For more information, see

“Letting multiple remote users hold a conference” on page 52.

On the computer that will host the conference, start a host session.

3

4

For more information, see

“Starting a host session” on page 50.

On the remote computer that will control the host computer, start a remote control session.

This computer can connect to the host using any connection method, provided that method is supported by the host.

For more information, see

“Starting a remote control session” on page 62.

On the remote computers that will participate in the conference, connect to the host computer using a TCP/IP network connection.

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