Symantec PC Anywhere 11.5 review

In many ways a radically different product from the others in this group test, PC Anywhere 11.5 is aimed squarely at business users.

With a long heritage in direct PC-to-PC remote control, PC Anywhere is based on a host/client model that uses direct connection rather than a web-based intermediary.

Products such as Gotomypc and Log Me In Pro are designed for quick and easy access to the host from anywhere on the Internet, but PC Anywhere, like Anyplace Control, requires you to install a full software package from a CD at each end of the connection.

You won’t be nipping into an Internet café and phoning home with PC Anywhere, but if you connect regularly between the same PCs or want to provide online support to a number of regular clients, PC Anywhere is full of useful features.

Perfect for IT managers and helpdesk personnel, PC Anywhere provides many support functions not found in other products. A remote management menu provides direct local access to functions on the remote machine without having to use the remote control interface.

These include the contents of the Windows Task Manager, direct editing of the remote Registry, system files and event log, as well as the ability to view the list of installed programs and run a remote command prompt. The remote control facility is very fast and automatically connects to multiple monitors at the remote end.

Both Windows and Linux are supported on host and remote systems, and you can connect from Pocket PC devices.

The Java-based Web Remote facility allows you to connect from any Java-enabled browser, although its connection setup is functionally the same as the Windows client, using direct connections rather than via an Internet service.

A total of 13 authentication types provide flexible and rigorous security in a variety of environments, including 256bit AES encryption, NT Domain and Active Directory Services.

It will also support the Windows Preinstallation Environment and can deploy the host agent program remotely to Linux or Windows systems that don’t have PC Anywhere installed.

Using the packager application, you can bundle preconfigured connection settings with the client, enabling users to connect to their required systems with no need for setup.

For a standard Internet connection you need to know the IP address or host name of the PC to which you’re trying to connect.

Included in the package is a 90-day free trial for DynIP’s DDNS service, which will allow users with dynamic IP addresses to connect to their PCs using their own domain name instead. Free alternatives to this service are also available.

You’ll need to configure any firewalls to allow incoming connections at the remote end and possibly configure more advanced options such as port forwarding.

If you’re connecting to a system on a local network, clicking the ‘New remote’ icon will cause PC Anywhere to search automatically for available systems, making discovery and connection simple.

PC Anywhere isn’t restricted to TCP/IP connections; you can use a modem, direct cable, CAPI 2.0 ISDN, Netbios and SPX.

PC Anywhere 11.5 is not for novices, nor is it appropriate if you simply want to connect between home and office.

It’s an advanced solution that comes into its own in a support or admin environment where you will be supporting multiple client PCs. It will save time and effort with its integrated remote deployment and management features.

This is part of a group test on remote access software. Other articles are:
Group Test: Remote PC Access Software
01 Communique I’m In Touch 5.10
3am Labs Log Me In Pro 2.30.523
Anyplace Control 2.12
Citrix Gotomypc 5.0
Laplink Everywhere 4
Don’t forget security issues
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