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Old 02-02-2007, 03:26 PM   #1
kzf817
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Login from Web to allow remote control of client computer.


Here is my problem: I have a series of Windows machines out in the field, typically with internet access, but behind a firewall, using NAT. I have in the past had local IT administrators open and forward ports, to allow me to use PCAnywhere to initiate a connection to those machines. Sometimes, the admins do not want to open ports, for understandable reasons. Does anyone know a way that I could allow one of these Win boxes to login to a Linux server from the internet, (Maybe by going to a Web page, and clicking "login" or something similar) so that I can from my side initiate a remote control session to the remote machine? I know that public services like "logmein.com" exist, but the logistics of administering pay accounts for 60-80 customer owned sites is not in the cards. Also, if a public service goes away or changes terms, my connectivity goes away with it. Any ideas would be appreciated. Thanks!
 
Old 02-02-2007, 04:22 PM   #2
Brian1
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I have not tried this idea and not sure if it works on ssh on Windows. But if one started a connection to your machine using the reverse port redirection -R option, then you can from your linux box make an ssh connection using the -p and specify the port that was setup in the remote Windows connection and do what every you need to do from there. Check out this link and check about 3/4 down for the -R option. http://www.suso.org/docs/shell/ssh.sdf.

I have done this before but it was linux to linux.

Brian
 
Old 02-02-2007, 05:09 PM   #3
kzf817
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Re Login from Web for reverse remote control

Thanks for the great details on SSH advanced reverse port features. I have used Putty from Windows to Linux. I think that reverse port redirection might only be one piece of the puzzle, though. Because of the specialized applications that we run on the remote machines, doing a screen view is everything during troubleshooting in the field. Even if I had to install a VNC client or something similar on the remote computer, we could probably handle that during machine build. (The Win computer is running a PLC controlled manufacturing machine, so we can do some customization to the computer before the equipment ships). I have seen other people in different posts refer to the HP or Gateway support desk model, where the customer calls in for support, then the support tech has them login to their web site, where the customer allows them to do a "reverse" remote GUI control. That is the general scenario that I am trying to replicate, if at all practical. Thanks again for lending your experience and advice.
 
Old 02-02-2007, 06:06 PM   #4
Brian1
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What to do you normal use to connect to the remote machines?
Are you using a Windows machine to run that to connect to the remote machine?

Brian
 
Old 02-02-2007, 06:16 PM   #5
kzf817
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Re Login from Web for reverse remote control

We presently use Windows comuputers at the support desk to initiate the remote control session, but if we had to use one dedicated Linux Server, connected directly to the internet (not through our corporate firewall) I would consider that option. Thanks.
 
Old 02-02-2007, 07:03 PM   #6
Brian1
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I have never gone this far before but if I am thinking right you might be able to do this.

Install ssh support on the remote Windows machine and install putty. Setup a putty connection to make a connection to the linux machine you want to use and setup a reverse port of the client software you connect too, to the linux machine.

Now from your tech Windows machine using the software you use connect to the port on the linux machine that was forwarded from the clients remote windows machine.

This is got me wanting to try it. Might play with it this weekend with a friend of mine and have him use his windows machine to connect to my linux router. Or just have him use his linux machine to connect to my linux router and then I connect from my linux laptop to linux router as I descibed above. If it works I will give the windows theroy a try.

edit:
Each client would forward to a port of their own and this would allow you to work on multiple systems at the same time. So one to port 10001 next one to 10002 and so on.
edit:

Brian

Last edited by Brian1; 02-04-2007 at 04:54 PM.
 
Old 02-04-2007, 09:06 AM   #7
klefrancois
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Login using webex

Why not use some web based control like webex, raindance, etc. This only uses the normal port 80, which should be open. Only java needs to be usable on both sides to install some java applet. You can view what the user is doing, and take control if necessary (with user permission). VNC or other application usually doesn't work through firewalls, obviously, because the firewall would need some specific port opened to forward to a specific machine. Look into a web based application for http control.

Keith
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