About remote desktop clients
 

I'm just looking for advice for now on this.
I'm looking into remote desktop software for the Macs here atw ork. Were talking about over 150 machines total, but will only need to access them from time to time to help users out, not to take care of updates (welll rarely, as they are supposed to do those themselves) and was wondering if ARD was the best solution for this... I have to take into account that they only want to get "official" software (not very keen on opensource or freware in this case)... Wanted to know basically if that would be a good choice...

It's a good choice under the self-imposed limitation of no open source. If you broaden that, I'd recommend using VNC. I use that to admin/support hundreds of machines. If it makes you feel better, there is a "Pro" version of VNC that you can pay for.

The main thing is that the ARD client can easily be downloaded by customers of ours and or configured.
However, what pro vnc would you recommend in any case ?

The latest (2.1) version of the ARD Client works with a number of 3rd party VNC viewers. Download the package here and give it a try.

I've tried various VNC Clients and Servers and none come close to the capabilities and reliability of ARD (1.2 or 2.1). The added feature of ARD 2.1 to handle VNC Servers is just frosting on the cake.

Guess what I should have asked is , is there anything with the same features as ARD as some of its features like being able to copy files to the computer your connecting to, running scripts, send messages to users...
LasVegas kinda answered that one though... Thanks :D

You can also use TimBukTu

But you would need to install TimBukTu on all machines.

OS X comes with ARD built in. You just need to buy the Unlimited Client edition for the main machine. Simple to use.

http://www.apple.com/remotedesktop/

You can also use ARD (2.1) to connect to a PC running a VNC program (free).

That was why I chose it in the end (will order later today)... It has the client side pre-installed on OS X... well 10.2 and 10.3, and 90% of our users use those two versions... Thanks for the info everyone !

Not directly related to the question here, but for future readers of this thread:

Apple Remote Desktop (ARD) is basically designed for the case of a single administrator viewing multiple remote machines, but not the reverse. If you needed multiple remote machines to control some central servers, that's when the aforementioned VNC or Timbuktu become useful since they are peer-to-peer remote desktop solutions. Of course, due to the limits of the Aqua window manager only 1 person can be in control at a time. Hopefully some day that limitation will be overcome.

Hope that made sense! :)

Is there anything on the Apple side similar to the MS Terminal Server? That allows multiple users (many, many users) to run Windows sessions, all their Windows apps, and send only the screen to the remote. Great way to securely allow remote access, or to use old junk machines as dumb clients.

On a related tangent...the OS X version of the Terminal Server client only allows you to run one session at a time. Any way around that, or any third-party clients that will allow you to connect to more than one TS at once?

What I need to do is log into my home machine with my Laptop when I'm away to restart the computer or mail.app. I have my home computer act as FAX machine that emails the Faxes to me and if mail can't connect I need to get in and restart the connection or mail.app. I'm on DSL DHCP though an ABS at home. Is there an easy way to do this? I don't need to do a lot of fancy manipulation of the Home computer other than software update and restart (if that).

VNC is what I use for that. You need to open/redirect port 5900 in your router. Also ports 5800-5803 if you want to be able to use the web-VNC access.

The answer to both questions… Mac OS X Server

Realy ? Panther server can handle having multiple users connected to it in different sessions at the same time ? Even using VNC ? OR if not what is the program used ? Just need to know as in my specific case, strangely enough, its windows users who would need to connect to the Mac machine via TS...
So tyo answer some of you, Yes, I got Windows users to use a Mac :D

I don't think so. At least, not using Quartz in the Citrix-style manner you were asking about. It can be done for CLI or X11, and you don't need Server for that.


Carlos - I believe there was a Hint on the main site about doing multiple current Microsoft Remote Desktop sessions, or using rdesktop in X11 can do it as well, although not as elegantly.

Vegas - Please point to a reference in the OS X Server documentation that explains how to accomplish this feat.

Yes, please. If it can be done, I have a new X Server sale. Is that anything that's even rumored for 10.4?

Okay… I apologize for jumping the gun on the above answer without re-reading the questions. Please disregard the above answer.

Ard
 

I am a school and wer'e testing ARD. I can control and do what I want on the remote macahines, but is there anyway to hide the toolbar so the students don't see we installed the software?

Yes there is. In the Sharing PreferencePane under Remote Desktop, in the Access Privileges, you can uncheck Show When being Observed on the students machines.

Is there a Citrix like option for Macs
 

No one has answered whether there is or is not a comparable Citrix like app for Macs. I am looking to have multiple Mac users log into the network and create Terminal Service Sessions via the server or anything. However, it needs to be screen refreshes--this is what Citrix does--so that it doesn't cost much in bandwith, like many mutiple VPN logged in at the same time.

Anyone have any solutions?