Being able to remotely access a Macintosh running Helix is useful in a number of situations. Among them:
- Monitoring a Server that is in another location.
- Remote collection updating. (Making structural changes on a remote computer.)
- Advanced Helix Technical Support.
There are a number of software tools available to allow remote access:
- Timbuktu by Netopia
- Apple Remote Desktop
- iChat Screen Sharing (coming in OS X 10.5)
This article discusses the basic requirements for setting up remote access.
Timbuktu is commercial software that requires each user have it installed on their computer. It is priced at about $100/user, with discounts available for larger purchases. You can purchase it directly from Netopia. You can also support QSA ToolWorks by purchasing it at a slight discount here.
Once Timbuktu is installed on the target computer, configuring it for remote access requires that you:
- Open System Preferences -> Sharing
- Click on the Firewall tab and if you have your firewall turned on, click the New tab, choose Timbuktu from the Port Name menu, and click OK.
- If your computer gets its IP Address via DHCP, your network administrator will need to configure your router to allow network traffic on port 407 (the port Timbuktu uses) and to forward that traffic to your computer. Netopia has a number of technical articles to assist with the Timbuktu configuration. Consult with your router documentation for instructions on forwarding the required ports to your computer.
Once the remote computer is configured, all that is needed is to give the person using Timbuktu the public IP Address they need to reach your router.
You can also configure Timbuktu to register itself for external access via a free Netopia service. Look in the Timbuktu Preferences for this option. (Note: the option asks for an email address, but you can give it a fake address and it will work fine.)
Apple Remote Desktop (ARD) is comprised of two parts: a Client, which is built into Mac OS X, and a Controller, which is commercial software that must be purchased seperately. You can purchase it directly from Apple. You can also support QSA ToolWorks by purchasing it here.
Configuring the target computer requires that you:
- Open System Preferences -> Sharing
- Turn on Apple Remote Desktop
- Click the Access Privileges Button
- Check the appropriate boxes for the users and privileges you want to grant. (If you are activating this for QSA Technical Support, be sure to turn on the Guests may request permission to control screen option. (Advanced user note: ARD also works with Open Source VNC software.)
- Back in the main panel, click on the Firewall tab and if you have your firewall turned on, make sure the Apple Remote Desktop entry is checked.
- If your computer gets its IP Address via DHCP, your network administrator will need to configure your router to allow network traffic on the ports ARD requires and to forward that traffic to your computer. Apple has a number of technical articles to assist with the ARD side of the configuration: 106847, 106439, & 108047. Consult with your router documentation for instructions on forwarding the required ports to your computer.
Once the remote computer is configured, all that is needed is to give the person using ARD the public IP Address they need to reach your router.
This article will be updated with iChat instructions when OS X 10.5 is officially released.