Remote Support Software....open source out there?

YeOldeStonecat

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OK so curiosity got me to thinking..all these remote support packages out there like GoToAssist/Meeting, Bomgar, DualDesk, etc etc etc....

...I got to thinking..and looking...that there has to be some open source stuff/free out there.

Came across something "close"...fairly cheap...Echogent
http://www.echogent.com/
40 bucks personal, 3 hundge or something for commercial. But sure beats several grand for a Bomgar appliance.

Anyone else poked around this area? Found anything?

***************************************edited, updated, to get a list going******************************************************
I'm starting a remote support software list, since many of us here do computer/IT tech stuff and need to connect to random various clients easily in order to see their desktop and fix issues.

Proper remote support software is different than remote access software like logmein, or VNC, or PcAnywhere, or Remote Desktop Protocol built into Windows.

What defines a good remote support app
*As single click as possible for the remote end user needing support
*No firewall configuration, no port forwarding, no needing to know end users WAN IP address
*Share desktop with end user needing support, full KVM from your point of view

http://www.ammyy.com/en/

http://www.teamviewer.com/index.aspx

http://www.showmypc.com/

http://www.ntrglobal.com/ntrsupport/

http://www.chunkvnc.com/index.html

http://www.crossloop.com/landing.htm

http://www.gbridge.com/

https://www.mesh.com/welcome/default.aspx

https://secure.logmeinrescue.com/

http://echovnc.sourceforge.net/fom-serve/cache/1.html

http://uvnc.com/addons/singleclick.html

http://www.uvnc.com/pchelpware/index.html

http://www.advantig.com/oneclick/

http://www.echogent.com/products.htm

http://www.advantig.com/oneclick/

http://www.simple-help.com/

http://www.helpdeskvnc.com/modules/mainpage/index.php

http://www.gidsoftware.com/remotehelpdesk.htm

http://www.beam2support.com/EN/welcome.aspx

http://www.softplatz.com/software/remote-helpdesk/

http://www.yuuguu.com/home

http://www.dualdesk.com/

http://www.gotomeeting.com/fec/

https://www.techinline.com/default.aspx

http://www.gotoassist.com/en_US/entry.tmpl

http://www.bomgar.com/

https://join.me/

http://www.litemanager.com/

Remote Assistance built into Microsoft Small Business Server...the admin logs into the console, and from MMC you can do a TSWeb like session with clients on the network. I use this a lot since many of my clients networks are based on SBS. While technically it does require a static IP and port forwarding, it's still a quick and easy way to get to end users desktop if they're behind their their SBS box.
 
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Nice find! This will be a great alternative to Webex since I can't use my work version for home use.
 
Signed up to test Crossloop...went to launch it and test it out..but their service must be down today..."connecting...connecting...connecting....//went downstairs and filled coffee up again..came back up..//still connecting...
 
Signed up to test Crossloop...went to launch it and test it out..but their service must be down today..."connecting...connecting...connecting....//went downstairs and filled coffee up again..came back up..//still connecting...

heres the thing with these... if you put all your eggs in one basket... and then you have a problem where you can't connect...



doesn't that mean you're screwed?

i'd be more interested in an opensauce version that you can install yourself on your own webserver... that way you control whether it is up or down... or you at least have something to tell your clients if it does go down (service problems/hardware failures... something where you can give them a timetable... "it'll be back up within the hour"

THAT would be neato...
 
i'd be more interested in an opensauce version that you can install yourself on your own webserver... that way you control whether it is up or down... or you at least have something to tell your clients if it does go down (service problems/hardware failures... something where you can give them a timetable... "it'll be back up within the hour"

THAT would be neato...

Agreed...I downloaded "Echogent" this morning..will put on one of our servers and dork around with it. I'd also prefer to have some open source package we host on our own boxen.
 
I think its UltraVNC we are using. We have a 'repeater' that is essentially a server. To run the viewer (What the techs use) you have to be in the network since it 'repeats' only to our subnet but thats no biggy.

Its pretty sweet. Dosnt have multimonitor support, but it has worked with no issues so far. Even the shared clipboard works.
 
We pay for Logmein Rescue. I tried some open source cheaper solution, but paid solution seemed to work better.

But can do much more then most of the open source. Biggest thing is being able to get into Safe Mode with it =)
 
I think its UltraVNC we are using. We have a 'repeater' that is essentially a server. To run the viewer (What the techs use) you have to be in the network since it 'repeats' only to our subnet but thats no biggy.

Its pretty sweet. Dosnt have multimonitor support, but it has worked with no issues so far. Even the shared clipboard works.

Yah I used to use UltraVNC years ago before remote desktop...still use it on legacy 2K machines. But it needs firewall configuration, etc. I need something for remote users across the internet...and I don't want to spend hours trying to figure out whatever of the plethora of various ISP supplied router/gateways/firewalls..plus the myriad of various software firewalls, they may have.

Need something here any end user can download/run/enter some access key I give them..click on a button or two..and BAM...I'm on their machine.
 
I second teamviewer, but I am also going to checkout the other two posted :)
 
I'm going to try out that CrossLoop thingy. I do like the idea of the ShowMyPC and being able to host own SSH server, that sounds nice, may give that a shot and run it by the boss. . . .

 
I use the crossloop and like it a lot. I am interested in the Showmypc features also. Might give that a try.
 
After trying the other two, I really like teamviewer the best still. No installs and easy to use :cool:
 
I setup Echogent....uses customized light VNC components. I installed the server package on a spare box we have in the data center....
Ran the EchoVNC on my home PC..had a buddy download the Instant VNC host on their PC..enter my servers IP address and password...I see him in my launcher as an available client...I double clicked him...and BAM...on his desktop with control just like through regular VNC. No firewall stuff needed.

So..think I'm going to use this package..I like being able to control my own neutral server. I'll make a quick link avail on our website to download the remote host component....and that'll make it easy for clients to get to so I can get to them.
 
so you need to give the user 2 items of data: server ip/name and a password?

this seems good, currenty we use Logmein Rescue which is anywhere from 800-1200 for a yearly license. But its so cake for people to use and allows access to safe mode which helps alot with stupid spam problems.

I may have to weigh the pros/cons.

How was the setup involved?

Also any kind of logging (like time connected to a specific user), does it record any information from the user, so if you are working on 3 sessions do you know who is who??
 
so you need to give the user 2 items of data: server ip/name and a password?

How was the setup involved?

Yeah....although I bet the remote client can be somewhat pre-configured.

2x bits of info for the remote client...
Address of host server that you built (IP or DNS)
Password that you pre-assign for access to the server.

Tiny client they download..run..enter those 2 bits on info..and they become available as clients on your server. No firewall interaction needed as far as I've seen yet..although I've not tested with someone who has something like Symantsuck 360 tons Internet Bloatcurity on their PC.

As far as the server setup....download/install, open/forward port 1328 (by default) to your server. Create a host name for the server....create a password to access the server...and start the service.

For you..the remote person...you run a EchoVNC viewer. Once setup to your server (IP or DNS, and password)...you can see the list of available clients on your server....(by default they're named as the host name of their PC)...you double click who you wish to access...and BAM...you're viewing them through full VNC Viewer..toolbars and all..file transfer, etc etc. No needing to tell them to click some button to "show my screen"..or give keyboard 'n mouse control to you...you have instant access to their screen..and both can control mouse. It's just like using regular UltraVNC viewer.

I haven't dug around for logging yet.

Somewhat close in price (300 bucks commercial use for started package , 40 bucks personal use) to ShowMyPC (250 bucks for starter version..didn't see a smaller version)..which I wish to try next..they have a server component too.
 
Somewhat close in price (300 bucks commercial use for started package , 40 bucks personal use) to ShowMyPC (250 bucks for starter version..didn't see a smaller version)..which I wish to try next..they have a server component too.


looks good... thanks for spending the 40 bucks... does the commercial package include anything the personal doesn't?

i mean i'd hate to say this because i think its a fairly easy thing to set up if you had a bit of knowledge with these things, but i think eventually it'd be worth the 300 dollars to spend on it...

EDIT:

i'm looking here http://echovnc.sourceforge.net/fom-serve/cache/1.html and seeing links to "packet relay servers" all provided open sauce... what am i missing here? maybe this is do-able 4 free... make some money off of it and donate

EDIT2:

nevermind... links to the packet relay servers redirect to echogents pages eventually... now it all makes sense :D... at least the shareware version of the relay server is free to try though... limited to 4 connections and 10 minutes worth of file transfer at a time...
 
I setup Echogent....uses customized light VNC components. I installed the server package on a spare box we have in the data center....
Ran the EchoVNC on my home PC..had a buddy download the Instant VNC host on their PC..enter my servers IP address and password...I see him in my launcher as an available client...I double clicked him...and BAM...on his desktop with control just like through regular VNC. No firewall stuff needed.

So..think I'm going to use this package..I like being able to control my own neutral server. I'll make a quick link avail on our website to download the remote host component....and that'll make it easy for clients to get to so I can get to them.

Yea let me know how this works out for you. Looks very interesting. I might have to get a license myself. While it is not free 300 bucks is a pretty good deal considering the cost the other solutions cost per month. You run this a few years and it is golden.
 
Echoware looks sweet. I've been using the Hamachi VPN client with built in remote assistance for most of my at home family support, using MSN messenger to start remote assistance sessions. I set up a download page with setup instructions on the web server at the house.

I have one uncle with a laptop whose wireless goes all wonky when the Hamachi VPN client is installed. It would also save time with those relatives who don't use IM. Talking my aunt through how to send a remote assistance invitation through email time after time gets a little tedious.

Have a feeling the wallet will be $40 lighter soon.
 
Went to try the private "ShowMyPC" server the other day..but it's a linux only package...I don't have one kicking around. Gotta stick with weeeenders hosted ones.
 
running echoware as well... have a customized instantvnc upped to a webserver... all they have to do is browse and click run a couple times...

people are loving it....
 
running echoware as well... have a customized instantvnc upped to a webserver... all they have to do is browse and click run a couple times...

people are loving it....

Yea thats how I have it setup right now. Have it running on a test sbs box. When I move it to my companys main server I'll upgrade to the business license unless I've found something better by then.
 
We're going to give that advantig one-click a shot here in the office. Test out the free version and see how it works then buy the business license if it works nice.
 
Have you played around with that one yet?

Not yet...I just stumbled across it this morning over on the Untangle forums....I wanted to put the link here...more for documenting before I forget it.

I installed Echogent on a Teamspeak server I run....so far runs great....I've yet to try on a Server 2003 box. I know sometimes there are UltraVNC related hiccups on some 2K3 servers. I'm hesitant of purchasing it yet...because I'm still wanting a product that has a "dashboard" panel so that I can install agents on some of my clients servers..and have them run as a service..be able to connect unattended.
 
i keep reading this, will mess around with some of these products later on. i have already paid for hte Logmein Rescue service, still haven't seen any of these services that lets you get into Safe Mode.

Anyone find one yet?
 
i keep reading this, will mess around with some of these products later on. i have already paid for hte Logmein Rescue service, still haven't seen any of these services that lets you get into Safe Mode.

Anyone find one yet?

Humm you might be able to start one once the machine is in safe mode with networking. With that in mind you can always force the machine to reboot into safe mode.

Would be interesting to try it.
 
Well with Logmein Rescue, the user can connect with me in regular windows. I can then send a prompt for them to type in their login password. I can then force reboot to safemode and in the time it takes to restart I am in safemode. Dont have to talk to the user through restarting and hitting F8. Also can do file transfer through it. I looked into a few before going with Logmein then just had the bossman order it. We like it but I wouldn't mind trying something thats just as easy.
 
What do you guys recommend for end users looking to connect to their home pc from work or vise versa? I need something simple for this old lady heh.
 
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