An increasing number of Windows users at the Lab are running the XP operating system. With XP as a target system, employees can access their work computer from home using an application called Remote Desktop. If your home machine is also XP, everything you need is built in. If your home computer uses an older version of Windows, you can download software that will allow you to connect to your XP machine at work.

"With Remote Desktop, you get full, secure access to your work computer via an Internet or network connection,” explained Laura Eichman, who supports ITSD customers in Building 937. “You can work with files, programs, and resources as though you were in front of your computer at work."

Remote Desktop is free and may help eliminate the need for a second Lab-owned computer for use at home. If you use any of the Novell deployed applications like Janus, for example, or access file and print services through an ITSD service, remote desktop can be very useful. Jay Krous of the Computer Protection Program adds: "The Windows Remote Desktop application is specifically allowed by the border protection policies of the Computer Protection Program (CPP), and is considered a very secure alternative."

For initial setup requirements and other details go here.

If you have questions, contact the Help Desk at x4357.