VPN

I searched the forums, but my query was never adequately answered.

What I want to do is have a single box running winXP, and be able to remote administer it from my main computer. Both will be on a LAN. This box will just contain onboard sound, video, LAN, and two 80GB drives in RAID-0, 256MB RAM and an AMD 2400+ processor. I could get more because RAM is so cheap, but I seriously doubt I'll need it. It's a mail/web server for a student group, and a LAN file server for music storage, and once in a while will be a gaming server. You think I'll need more?

The issue is that the single box will not have a monitor, keyboard, mouse, or any other input devices. It is simply going to be a file/web/mail server that's on all the time, so these functions will not have to be performed from either of my desktops. I'm trying to minimise costs by not having to basically buy a whole new computer.

What I would like to know is if there is any software that can allow control over the box in this circumstance, and if there will be any issues running the server because of a lack of direct input devices for the box that I may need to consider. I can use any input devices necessary to get the OS and other software installed, but after that I don't want to keep having to move my monitor and mouse around whenever I need to restart the server.

I also have the option of installing Win98SE, or Win2K, though I would prefer XP simply because I know my way around in it like the back of my hand. I would rather not use Linux, because I have no experience with it at all, and I don't want issues with cross-platform compatibility.

So, waddya think?

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Yeah, there's a number of them. PCAnywhere's another.

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It's not software, but when I read your post I thought....KVM switch. It sounds like that is what you need.

That's what the IS dudes at my work use in their server room.

ha ha $800 US? There are much less expensive SOHO models out there.

I am not 100% sure, but if you set your BIOS to do a "minimal POST", i.e. turn off the Video and Keyboard detection you should get it to boot. I know that 98 and 2k will boot without monitor/keyboard, and I would guess this is the case with XP as well.
XP has a remote control feature buildt in, but you have to permit the incoming host first. It works if you only use one designated machine to connect with, but if you want roaming access I'd recommend TightVNC. It's free, multi platform and fairly stable (although VNC is a pain by definition, but that is another issue

Dev

Poor windows was not a brave soul. Threatened by the force of General Protection and Major Problem the little OS committed suicide by hanging.

and what the hell does it have to do with vpn anyway? you said it was going to be on a lan.

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ok, xp has the software you need. spend 10 bucks on a kb and mouse and your set. and yes it does boot without a monitor.

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you dont need a mouse at all, even in windows. it just occured to me, there may be a bios option to not halt on kb error. i know i have seen it.

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