REVIEWS
Remote Node And Remote Control: Like Peanut Butter And Chocolate
by Andrew S. Pawlak
You've got your remote node in my remote control. No, you've got your remote
control in my node. Two great technologies that could work great together.
Each solution has its appropri-
ate use, but a great combination-like Reese's-is not yet available. We were
hoping to find a merging of two technologies, but in most cases we only
found creative bundlings.
Look at it this way, remote control is like theoretically pulling a remote
computer's keyboard, mouse and video signals through a phone line. Remote
node, on the other hand, is like pulling an Ethernet signal over a phone
line. We were looking for solutions that blurr
ed this distinction and actually
hid each remote access choice from us. We want the technology to decide
which is the more appropriate solution based on task, not based on technology.
This type of integration simply does not exist yet.
We tested six products in our Syracuse University lab: Artisoft CoSession
for Windows 6.0, Funk Software WanderLink, Stac ReachOut 5.0 for Windows,
Stampede Remote Office Gold, Symantec Norton pcANYWHERE32 and Traveling
Software LapLink for Windows95. We wanted to know how well they compared
when performance, versatility, ease of setup, usability and features were
considered. But more important, we wanted to know how well each integrated
the remote node and remote control portions of its software.
Notably absent is Microcom, which was between versions. We did get a brief
look at its Carbon Copy for Windows 3.0, but we were unable to include Microcom
because of some performance issues with its beta.
Due to its many features and excellent usabilit
y, Traveling Software delivered
the best product in this roundup. Its tight integration with the operating
system and unique features helped Traveling Software come out on top. A
not-too-distant second was Stampede, which brought to the table a PPP package
no one could touch.
ReachOut had the fastest performance on the remote control side. Though
consistent with previous releases, it lacked some of the features that helped
bring LapLink to the top. Symantec Norton pcANYWHERE32 integrated well with
Windows95 and was a consistent performer with a good mix of features. Artisoft
CoSession 6.0 (formally of Triton Technologies) performed well, but it lacks
the operating system integration that others have. Funk WanderLink was difficult
to set up in Windows95, but once running, it performed well.
Traveling Software LapLink for Windows95
Traveling Software went all out on thi
s release of LapLink. Its ability
to establish a bidirectional connection shows that it has kept both the
end user and administrator in mind. File transfer speeds were very good
compared with the rest of the group, though not as fast as ReachOut. All-around
caching was excellent and improved with use. Repeated use showed that between
session caching was also implemented.
The first thing you notice upon running this application is the lack of
a host/viewer icon. The LapLink interface is well organized and intuitive.
Additionally, LapLink is the only product in the group to utilize a bidirectional
or peer-to-peer connections. The major benefit of this technology is that
you can implement tech support over the same line you are using for a remote
connection. LapLin
k allows you to communicate with your help desk personnel
to solve problems you may be having and provides support for a total of
11 simultaneous connections at once.
File transfers were not the fastest of the group, but Travelin
g Software
was within a few seconds of the leader. With its SpeedSync technology, file
transfers only send the portion of files that have changed, thereby greatly
increasing throughput. Also included with LapLink is support for Error Correction
Protocol (ECP) parallel cables. With an ECP cable, Traveling Software claims
it can attain Ethernet speeds.
Speaking of Ethernets, connecting to our LAN via PPP was simple. Once connected,
LapLink can switch to remote control over the same connection without having
to reconnect. The ability to connect to both TCP/IP and IPX networks simultaneously
is not only unique, it allows for easy file transfers across different protocols.
Performance over PPP was quick and responsive.
Once the application is launched, a help box comes up to help guide the
new user through the interface. As you traverse from one feature to another,
the dialog changes to the appropriate text-a nice feature that assists when
learning the interface.
When you purchase
LapLink, you not only get the Windows95 version but you
also receive the 16-bit version that will run under Windows 3.x. LapLink
was by far one of the most unique products. It will surely please both the
end user and administrator.
Stampede Technologies Remote Office Gold v3.0
Unlike the rest of the products in this review, Remote Office Gold was the
only product that would not run under Windows95. The installation routine
was a DOS installer for both Windows and DOS, which installs NetWare's VLMs
and FTP Software's TCP/IP stack. With large buttons, two of which are configurable,
Remote Office Gold bundles a slightly stripped-down version of Stac's remote
control client, and
network applications such as Telnet, Ping and FTP. It
is the most versatile package for the administrator and user alike.
Before running Remote Office Gold under Windows, you must run a batch fi
le
that loads the VLMs and TCP/IP stack and then automatically starts Windows.
Though this may seem bothersome, think of the implications: no changes to
INI files, therefore making its removal painless and clean. Once up and
running, it was easier to make a connection to our PPP server.
A watered-down version of Stac's remote control client allows for exceptional
throughput on remote control sessions and file transfers. Stampede went
with the best in terms of performance. Though not as functional as Stac's
shipping copy of ReachOut, the bundled version performed very well.
Drive mapping under Windows is not as simple as a drag and drop. It assumes
you already know what drives you want to connect to, since you have to enter
the server name and drive designation. If no server is given, the default
server is assumed. Once mapped, however, access and usability are not issues.
Like WanderLink, this product was somewhat more difficult to set up if you
are not already familiar with P
PP software. However, it does provide an
"Answer File" that most system administrators could use to help
with installation and setup. Where this product excels is in its ability
to connect to a number of different PPP servers successfully. It seemed
to be the most interoperable and provides excellent control over the PPP
environment. For PPP connectivity, it is the best choice of this roundup.
Stac ReachOut 5.0 for Windows
When it comes to performance, ReachOut 5.0 was the clear winner. On the
other hand, if you're looking for the bells and whistles that LapLink brings
to bear, ReachOut may not be for you. Whatever your choice is, neither product
will lead you astray and both are excellent performers.
Installation went smoothly and the interface was simple and uncluttered.
Files
transfers were the fastest of the group, thanks to Stac's lzh compression
scheme. Copying files from one computer to another is exactly what you would
expect in a Windows environment-simply
drag and drop. Drive mapping was
just as simple. Simply drag the network drive over to an available drive
letter on your local machine and you are mapped.
Other products have caching schemes, but Stac seems to have gotten its right,
turning in the fastest caching performance. Only Stampede's offering was
close-remember Stampede bundles a version of Stac. Along with Stampede and
others, ReachOut was able to establish a PPP connection and then switch
easily to remote control without having to reconnect.
Realizing that not everyone may be running Windows95, ReachOut thoughtfully
included VLMs for PPP access, so DOS or Windows 3.x users aren't left stranded.
During the install, ReachOut installs both the Windows and DOS portions
of the software, so connecting from DOS is also an option.
During our tests we encountered a problem with color interference when performing
remote control sessions. Unlike the other products, ReachOut uses different
colors when connecting to a remote host
. This helps the user distinguish
which is the host and which is the client. The problem caused some icons
and words to be blacked out or simply unreadable. After numerous resolution
and background color changes, we were informed that the problem was known
and had been fixed in version 5.04. We tested version 5.0.
Symantec Corp. Norton pcANYWHERE32
Specifically designed for Windows95, don't expect to get any DOS or Windows
3.x support from pcANYWHERE32. What you do get is seamless integration into
the operating system. Like LapLink, which is also designed for Windows95,
you get an interface that is a joy to use.
File transfers are a simple drag and drop away, with performance slightly
less than that of ReachOut. Similar to other products in this roundup, Symantec
uses a process called SpeedSend to pump
better performance out of file transfers.
With SpeedSend, only portions of files that have changed are sent over the
wire. Symantec also includes both single-session and cross-
session caching
in pcANYWHERE32.
Initiating remote node connections are easy because of the large buttons
on the button bar. Its tight integration into the operating system provides
for a seamless transition from the button bar to the built-in PPP software
that is included in Windows95. Once connected, mapping of network drives
was straightforward and similar to ReachOut-another drag-and-drop solution.
Once running, there are many similarities between the Windows95 desktop
and the pcANYWHERE interface. Any user familiar with Windows95 will have
no trouble using this application to its full potential. Much like the configurable
icons in Remote Office Gold, it's a straightforward process to create new
icons to perform custom tasks. One button may be defined as remote control
connection, while another may be labeled remote node-definitely the best
interface of the bunch.
Artisoft CoSession for Windows 6.0
Artisoft's CoSession offering is easy and basic. It shares many
features
with the rest of the pack, such as intelligent file transfers, file synchronization
and connections over different media. Connecting to another computer via
the Internet was simple and straightforward. Support for DOS, Windows 3.x
and Windows95 is included with the package.
CoSession shares a few similarities with our top contender, LapLink. For
instance, it has the ability to support multiple connections to the same
machine. One feature that we found impressive was that CoSession is able
to carry on a file transfer and a remote control session simultaneously.
Connectivity via PPP was not much of an issue, although it took a little
reading to finally make a connection. Once connected, we could switch to
a remote control session with ease. Network drive mapping was by far the
easiest and most intuitive of the group. I
t was mere child's play to map
a network drive to the local machine and then seamlessly access it from
the client. An impressive solution to drive mapping that was
even better
than Stampede's solution.
Although not available at the time we tested, Artisoft has rebranded CoSession
for Windows 6.0 as INSYNC CoSession Remote 7.0. INSYNC is now shipping,
and it offers an improved caching scheme and the addition of Modem Share,
also recently acquired by Artisoft.
Funk Software WanderLink PPP Client Pack
Funk claims that WanderLink will run under Windows95, and although Funk
is not lying, it took us a little coaxing to make WanderLink work. If you
have a DOS or Windows 3.x shop and you are in need of a PPP client that
works fairly well, WanderLink might be just what you're looking for.
After numerous attempts at installation and about 20 minutes on the phone
with tech support, we did get WanderLink to install in Windows95. Although
there is a "Read Me" file on the installation disk, it did little
to correct the problem. Apparently Funk is using 16-bit code, and so we
had to install the 16-bit VLM manually. We were told th
at the next release
will support Windows95 fully.
Also worth noting is the fact that Funk was the only vendor in this roundup
to ship its own remote node and remote control client. The remote control
software, Proxy, allows you to switch over to remote control after you have
established a PPP connection. The PPP features are solid, second only to
Stampede. They are a little more complicated than the average user may like,
however, once connected, they work flawlessly.
File transfers were on par with the other products, though they are somewhat
slower. Under remote control, caching was good. One nice feature that WanderLink
shares with LapLink is the ability to transfer files and data across different
network protocols. In this case, it was across TCP/IP and IPX. However,
unlike LapLink, WanderLink can only be a client, and therefore it c
annot
allow an administrator to connect to your machine, diagnose and fix a problem.
Andrew Pawlak works for Network Systems at Syracus
e University. He can
be reached via e-mail at aspawlak@mailbox.syr.edu.
Remote Control/Remote Node Products
For our tests, we used a Dell Dimension P90 with 32 MB of RAM, and a 16550
UART as the Host computer. On the client side, we used a Dell Dimension
P60 with 32 MB of RAM, and a 16550 UART. We used US Robotics Courier V.34
modems over line simulators to establish a clean connection for our tests.
These systems ran Windows95 for our tests. In the case of Stampede's Remote
Office Gold, we used Windows 3.11. Each product was installed into its own
clean segregated copy of Windows95, to ensure a fresh environment for all
products.
To test performance, we transferred three files across the connection. The
first was an incompressible file, the second a moderately compressible file
and the last a highly compressible text file. To measure caching performance,
we repeatedly opened a Windows BMP file over the remote async connection.
Each of the products recognized
a cache hit and promptly displayed our image.
May
15, 1996
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