Solo Technology

… but my initial experiences with it have not gone well.

I wrote about Hamachi a week or so ago. I downloaded version 0.9.9.9 and installed it on a home machine and my laptop. Configuration is quite easy and I quickly had them talking to each other over their own private vpn. Ok, not overly impressive since they were already on my own internal network… but still, it shows how quickly it can be configured.

Feeling cocky, I attempted to use Remote Desktop Connection to control the laptop from the desktop. Hmm… that didn’t go so well… I could get to the login prompt, but never got past it and the laptop would end up in a “hung” state for several minutes. At the time, I just rationalized it to myself as just one of those weird things that happen when both machines are on the same network and on the same vpn.

The next day I headed in to the office. But before leaving I dropped my home lan’s router based VPN connection to the office. Thus ensuring that there was no link between work and home. That is, no link except for the forthcoming hamachi link I was going to make. Got to work, linked ‘em up. Again, drop-dead simple and quickly the two machines were joined again. Did some quick drive mappings and was easily able to move some files back and forth using windows shares.

RDC, however, still didn’t work. Same deal. Headed over to the Hamachi forums and found a post laden with some odd work-arounds that might make it work. Among other things, it seems that Hamachi might have to be installed as a service. Or maybe you need to RDC in as a new/different user. Or go try the new beta. Or or or. Gah… voodoo troubleshooting. However, there is some good stuff in the thread and a note that “something” is fixed in version 1.0. Granted, I could also use VNC I suppose… but I like RDC for windows stuff.

Next steps: Find the newer version and give it a shot. This application (Hamachi) has an insane amount of potential. For instance, I support family computers all over the country… while there are other options, I sure like how this thing could make my life a bit easier — without having to hose up firewalls or open ports!

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