XP Remote vs SMS

  • Thread starter Thread starter JasonW
  • Start date Start date
J

JasonW

We are currently using SMS at our site to do remote control of XP, W2K, and
NT boxes. I was looking at the capabilities of XP Remote Assistance and
Remote Desktop, but it seems that it is more limited.

I would like to know if I have the following correct or not:

1. XP Remote Desktop cannot have the remote user logged in at the same time
as the person trying to remotely control the PC. (It logged off the current
user to allow the remote user.)
2. XP Remote Assistance can only be done between XP boxes. (Due to our mix
of OSs, this wouldn't work for us.)
3. XP Remote Assistance uses some form of Windows Messenger. (This icon
appeared in the system tray when we were testing).

If these are true, then we will probably stick with SMS.

-JasonW
 
JasonW said:
We are currently using SMS at our site to do remote control of XP,
W2K, and NT boxes. I was looking at the capabilities of XP Remote
Assistance and Remote Desktop, but it seems that it is more limited.

I would like to know if I have the following correct or not:

1. XP Remote Desktop cannot have the remote user logged in at the
same time as the person trying to remotely control the PC. (It logged
off the current user to allow the remote user.)
2. XP Remote Assistance can only be done between XP boxes. (Due to
our mix of OSs, this wouldn't work for us.)
3. XP Remote Assistance uses some form of Windows Messenger. (This
icon appeared in the system tray when we were testing).

If these are true, then we will probably stick with SMS.

-JasonW
Click to expand...

1. Correct.
2. Correct. (Or Windows 2003 server to XP..)
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=308013
3. Incorrect. I do not believe messenger is a requirement.

Remote Desktop is more for remote control, not.. well, assisting.
Remote Assistance is more for remote assistance, not.. well, remote
computing.

With a domain, you can "offer" remote assistance to a user - it can be set
up with group policies. You can decide who can offer as well.
 
1. As you present it, correct... However, since you run in a larger
environment, you can use the shadow functionality to take control of a
remote computer without logging off the remote user (see
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=279656)

2. XP And above only..

3. Windows Messenger is not required for Remote Assistance. WM acts
as one of the transport/connection methods (it is the easiest to set
up), but you can still use other methods to connect.

Jeffrey Randow (Windows Net. & Smart Display MVP)
(e-mail address removed)

Please post all responses to the newsgroups for the benefit
of all USENET users. Messages sent via email may or may not
be answered depending on time availability....

Remote Networking Technology Support Site -
http://www.remotenetworktechnology.com
Windows XP Expert Zone - http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone
 
As Shenan mentioned--I'd look at the "offer remote assistance" method--this
eases the connection, in a domain.
 
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