Remote Access - We've Come A Long Way
I remember using the DOS version of PC Anywhere in the early 90's to access the point of sale computer at the retail computer store where I worked. I think it was over a 2400 baud modem, which I quickly upgraded to 14.4 as soon as the cost dropped below $500. I couldn't have imagined then the scenario that I'm using today to work remotely.
Today I'm upgrading a regular Windows Server 2003 computer to Active Directory using DCPromo. The server is on a very locked down DMZ subnet in our Data Center. I'm at home using a broadband connection from the local cable company. I don'th have any access to the DMZ from home, but the office firewall can access the DMZ via Windows Remote Desktop. To do the DCPromo, I'll need the Windows Server 2003 CD which, of course, is not in the CD tray. I don't want to have to drive to the data center (which is only 7 minutes away, but still...) to put the CD in the tray, but I do have a copy of the ISO on a file share on the corporate LAN. Here's how I got it to work.
My laptop is connected to my Linksys router via 802.11b wireless. I have a VPN connection established to the corporate LAN. Using the VPN connection I've connected to one of our LAN servers using Remote Desktop. From the LAN server, I've connected to the server sitting on the DMZ segment, also using Remote Desktop. To access the ISO of Windows Server 2003, I've configured a VPN connection on the DMZ server back into the corporate LAN and copied it from the file share. Then I've used a Virtual CD tool to virtually mount the ISO and point Windows to Z: drive to get the files it needs.
Voila! The server is now a Domain Controller. And I'm still sitting in my comfy chair drinking coffee and listening to my 80s MP3 collection streaming via Shoutcast over wireless from my wife's workstation downstairs, while my son plays with his animal collection behind me.
As much as we might gripe about computers being hard to use and buggy, we sure have come a long way. Take a few minutes today to think about how good we have it compared to even 10 years ago.