Interconnecting Computers

[pjphilli (Peter)]

Hi
I am a registered user of a program called Radmin which permits remote operation of a computer. I intend to connect my outside astronomy PC to my indoors Notebook using a RJ45 crossover network cable. I have ensured that the cable is OK and that the associated ethernet NICs in each computer are enabled. I am using the correct IP addresses for each computer. However, when I try to ping between computers to intially check the connection I get the message "network cable unplugged".
Any suggestions on how I check/proceed?
Cheers Peter

[robgreaves]

Can only be cable wired wrong, or network card drivers missing...

Have you looked at UltraVNC for controlling a remote PC? It's great, and very fast.

I used it in the UK to remote (wirelessly) control my PC in the observatory while I imaged from indoors in the warm. Although the graphics sent over the network are compressed, they still look great and it's very useable. And free!

Regards,
Rob

[g__day (Matthew)]

Given the ultra cheap price for hubs, switches and routers - I always advocate their use if you will ever want three or more devices to talk to one another. A five port switch typically costs around $45 and gives you expandability (I don't go as low as hubs) and I strongly advocate routers if you want broadband access to your local PCs. A five port router costs around $115 and it gives you significant access, network configuration and protection for your home PCs.

With that said - I assume all PCs have the same workgroup and each has at least one directory on one drive marked as shared (under Windows explorer -> select say the C:\tmp driver\directory - left click and select Sharing -> Network Permissions) and mark each drive as shared.

Next make sure each group has the same subnet mask - e.g. 255.255.255.0.

What IP address are you setting - valid home addresss - like 192.168.0.200 and 192.168.0.220 - not real internet addresses?

Are you setting TCP/IP as the main comms protocol? Is DHCP turned off and no WINS or DHCP or gateway specified?

Sounds like a basic network setup error - again a hub, switch or router makes a network set-up extremely consistent. Sorry couldn't help more!

[pjphilli (Peter)]

Hi Rob and Matthew
I have just spent nearly three hours buzzing out cable - ok, changing NIC cards and software etc. I could then get the indication that the cable was connected but could not ping. After a lot of mucking about I went back to the original connections and viola! it now works! I suspect that because I have not used the RJ45 ports and cable for quite a while that possibly
the cable was not making good connection but the subsequent pushing in and pulling out cleaned the contacts. I do hate though when faults disappear without a good reason as they can just as easily come back!
Rob - I will keep your suggestion of UltraVNC for possible future reference but I found Radmin very good although I had to buy it (about $65?). It allows me to control my PC remotely from the Notebook with no deterioration in screen presentation or speed of response.
Matthew- I am using the subnet mask you have advised and IP addresses
192.168.1.3 and 192.168.1.4 which seem to work alright. I will also keep your advice on network routers for future reference.
Thanks both for your help - Peter

[ozstockman (Mike)]

Hi Peter,

I was going to ask you why you don't want to use remote desktop software built in Windows but after I downloaded and tested radmin I think I know what the reason is. It seems to work better than windows remote desktop and much better than free UltraVNC.

Thanks for mentioning radmin here. I'll give it a try and may be will start using it instead of remote desktop.

cheers,

Mike

[AlexN]

VNC etc is going the hard way if its only going to be accessible from your home network...

Windows comes with RDP (remote desktop protocol). It works perfectly for what you're talking about...

This is pasted from another thread I posted in earlier this morning...

-------------------
I do it here.... Once I've set my scope up with laptop outside, I walk inside, log in to my laptop via RDP, use the sky to slew to targets, EQMOD to frame the image correctly, get guiding going, perform critical focus and fire off exposures all from the comfort of my media room...

All I need is an electronic, ascom controlled camera rotator and im 100% remote... Appart from the fact that its not in an observatory, and I still have to set it up before hand.. However to do it in a ROR obs would take little extra effort.. could easily have the computer control a motor to roll back the roof, relay switch to power up or power down the mount.... Anything is possible really...
------------------

I do this every time I use my scope at home, its just so simple and effective.

I have run mine on 108mbit wireless in the past, however I've recently invested in a 1000mbit 8 port switch.. wireless would sometimes drop out, which was very annoying. And if I wanted to pull the images through the network, then RDP would become slow and unresponsive... With the gigabit network in place, I can still have complete, flawless control of whats happening on the laptop, whilst copying 1~2gb through the network at the same time.

With the gb network, RDP is 100% seamless.. Its so smooth than anyone else looking wouldnt even know you were accessing another PC.. its like your sitting right infront of your computer...

[rider]

another program which allows remote access is "logmein" (via the internet)

I use this to access and service 53 remote computers scattered around Australia and the Pacific, and to access my home computer when I'm travelling.

If you dont need to move files there is a free version. (you can still move files with the free version if you use an FTP site.)

[pjphilli (Peter)]

Hi All and thanks for the interesting replies.
Mike and Rider - I tried a lot of remote access programs before I decided that Radmin was the best. Cost a bit but I don't mind paying for something useful and of good quality. If you can use a crossover cable this is a very economic, secure and reliable way to interconnect. Wireless is also an option. I tried this and found that the signal strength from my remote to my astro PC was a problem as apparently the signal did not like going
through double brick walls. I believe there are ways around this but the cable option was easier.
Alex - Sounds like a great arrangement you have there. I am starting to get there! I quite enjoy setting up my gear outside but I also like stacking lot of images and keeping an eye what is being saved. However, sitting outside for hours on end becomes a bit tedious so it will be nice to keep and eye on things indoors and catch up on a bit of reading etc as well.
Cheers Peter

[higginsdj]

What version(s) of Windows are you using? I assume that you have enabled the IP addresses through the windows firewall on both PC's?

[AlexN]

Im using Vista ultimate on both systems.. 64bit on the desktop, 32bit on the laptop...

All the security settings are handled by RDP, you just need to go into system properties -> Remote connections and click "allow remote connections to this computer"

[g__day (Matthew)]

I use UltraVNC - freeware - but its screen refresh rate over a gigabit network is a tad slow. The Windows admin tools works - but its labarious sending expiring permissions all the time, versus VNC remembering an IP and simply asking for a password.

Waht is RADAdmin like for re-draw speed - and is there a trial version to evaluate?

Matt

[pjphilli (Peter)]

Hi Matt
Look up Radmin on the net. A thirty day trial is available and I see that at $us49 for the license fee this works out at about $A75 with our crook dollar. The way I use Radmin via an RJ45 crossover cable operating at the remote Notebook is just the same as operating my Astro PC directly. The screen quality is the same and there seems to be no delay in response. Give it a try although like me you may find it so good that you may be tempted to buy it!
Cheers Peter

[g__day (Matthew)]

Downloaded it yesterday - will wait till the weather improves before I install it (fingers crossed it will work on both 32 and 64 bit Win XP machines)!

The one hassle I have with VNC is a 2 mbit pipe must limit re-draw, whereas its on a bi-directional 1gbit network - it has oodles of headroom. If Radmin is far better - its an easy purchase decision!

Thanks,

Matt

[pjphilli (Peter)]

Hi Matt
If you wait until the weather clears maybe your thirty days free trial will be up! Give it try soon, I have it working on XP but whether it is 32 or 64 bit I would have a clue.
Cheers Peter

[g__day (Matthew)]

The way trial software normally works is its 30 days from installation (controlled by dated, hidden cookies or keys) not 30 days from download!