Controlling multiple Macs, locally and remotely
For anyone who owns more than one Apple computer, the thought of controlling two or more machines at the same time is surely something many people think of. Despite any previous assumptions you may have had, the steps necessary to control two or more Apple computers [at the same time] is quite simple and easily completed by anyone willing and able to follow a few simple directions. The challenge now is not a question of "How could I possibly setup and control multiple machines - for free?" Rather, the challenge is deciding whether or not you need 1) simple "local" control (main desktop + a secondary computer on the same desk), 2) remote access (control your desktop from the cafe or office), or 3) both. We’ll look at setting-up both local and remote access using two methods - both utilizing free - and secure (if applicable) - software.
Looking for local network control and nothing else?
The great thing about owning a desktop and notebook computer is that both machines operate under different variables. Your desktop machine is probably considered the main computer, while mobile responsibilities are offloaded to the notebook. If you are like me, you may feel the urge / need to operate or control both computers at the same time while sitting at a desk. Rather than constantly twisting your upper torso left-to-right in order to use the desktop keyboard & mouse, and the notebooks keyboard & trackpad, why not control both computers using one keyboard and mouse without the need for an expensive KVM switch?
Fortunately, there are a couple of software alternatives for the previously mentioned [hardware] KVM switch - namely Synergy & Teleport. I experimented with both utilities and opted for the consistent and stable performance of the OS X only Teleport. Anyone working in a mixed computing environment will want to experiment with the cross-platform friendly Synergy.
1. Download Teleport to any machines you wish to control
The first step is to download Teleport to any machines that you wish to control with a single keyboard and mouse. You can find the free Teleport download on Abyssoft. For the purpose of this tutorial, I have download teleport.zip to both my Mac Pro and MacBook.
2. Install the teleport.prefPane
Unzip and double-click the teleport.prefPane which will add a new menu option to your System Preferences underneath the ‘Other’ section.
3. Opening necessary Firewall ports
If OS X’s built-in Firewall is enabled, navigate to ‘System Preferences > Sharing > Firewall’ and select ‘New…’. For ‘Port Name’ select ‘Other’, ‘TCP Port Number(s)’ enter ‘44176-44177′, and ‘Description’ enter ‘Teleport’. ‘UDP Port Number(s)’ can be left blank.
4. Activate Teleport from System Preferences
Return to the main System Preferences screen and select ‘teleport’. Activate the utility by checking ‘Activate teleport’ at the top left of the screen. You’ll need to make sure that teleport is activated on all computers you wish to use.
5. Keyboard & mouse controls for non-primary computer(s)
Now that you’ve opened the necessary ports, and activated Teleport, any computers running the software should be able to see one another on your local network. Security conscious individuals can rest at ease knowing that Teleport does offer the option to encrypt traffic. The decision now is to decide which Mac is the primary machine (keyboard & mouse), and which machines(s) are the non-primary computers.
Any computers that have the added option of ‘Share this Mac’ enabled can be controlled using the primary keyboard & mouse. In my particular setup, I enabled the ‘Share this Mac’ option on my MacBook allowing me to control the notebook using the keyboard & mouse connected to my Mac Pro.
6. Arranging screen positions
Similar to setting up multiple displays for your computer, Teleport allows users to virtually arrange the location of your non-primary computers based on their relative position to your primary screen. As you can imagine, virtually arranging your screens you with an extended desktop as you move your cursor from screen-to-screen [using a single mouse].
In addition to offering the convenience of controlling multiple computers with a single mouse & keyboard, Teleport offers traffic encryption, shared clipboard, drag ‘n drop files between Macs, and bezel notification whenever your mouse leaves the primary screen. The best part is that Teleport is free - download the latest release directly from Abyssoft.
Local network AND remote control?
Although Teleport is a fantastic free utility that provides users with the convenience of controlling multiple Macs using a single mouse & keyboard, the software is limited in that once you leave your home network, your connection with other machines is lost. In order to control your home computer, access files, or open and close applications while sitting in a coffee shop 30 miles away, you’ll need to open a virtual network connection. Similar to controlling two or more Macs, the actual setup required to access your home computer remotely and securely is much simpler than what others may have led you to believe.
In order to achieve a secure connection with your home computer (even if it is behind a firewall) remotely, you’ll need two pieces of software: 1) HamachiX - the OS X frontend for Hamachi, and 2) Chicken of the VNC - a fast lightweight VNC client.
Thanks to the thorough setup documentation pointed out by Dan, setting up HamachiX and creating a secure network is only minutes away. Carefully read through the existing HamachiX Online Help which will walk you through the necessary steps of connecting to the Hamachi servers, creating a private network, and inviting others creating an invitation which will automate the setup on your other computers.
1. Enabling OS X VPN and remote control
In order for you to control your home Mac remotely using HamachiX and Chicken of the VNC, you’ll need to tweak a few System Preference options. Open ‘System Preferences > Sharing’ and enable ‘Apple Remote Desktop’. Highlight ‘Apple Remote Desktop’ and select the new option titled ‘Access Privileges’. In the new screen, enable any permissions you foresee requiring and ensure that ‘VNC viewers may control screen with password’. Make sure to enter a secure password. Select ‘OK’ when finished.
2. Use HamachiX on both machines to "talk" securely
Assuming you have successfully followed the necessary steps required in order to create a network and add existing computers to said network, your computes can now [securely] communicate with one another over your standard internet port (80). In order to do so, you’ll need to initiate HamachiX on both computers. If the connection between your computers is successful, you’ll notice a green dot underneath the ‘State’ of your network.
3. Remote control with Chicken of the VNC
Because ‘VNC viewers may control screen with password’ was enabled, you can now control your computer remotely. With HamachiX running and connected, start Chicken of the VNC. Enter the ‘Hamachi ID’ of your home computer as the ‘Host’, enter the previously specified password as the [Host] ‘Password’, and select ‘Remember Password’ if you feel so inclined. Leave all other settings unchecked and select ‘Connect’. Chicken of the VNC via HamachiX will create a secure connection to your home computer allowing you to work remotely as though you were sitting in front of your own computer. [digg this]
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Cyril Kotecký
Great, very useful stuff, but can anyone tell me how to keep two computers synchronyzed for free? I have an old PB G4 Titanium with only 37GB HD. I sync my iPod from iMac that pretty much belongs to the whole family. I have an accout on the iMac, where I backup all the stuff from my PowerBook. So, is there any way to synchronize those two computers, so if I change for example an event in iCal on my PB, is it possible to automatically synchronize with the accout on the iMac?
May 23rd, 2007 Quote
Paul Stamatiou
paulstamatiou.com
Great post Derek. I tried to run Synergy way back in the day but it wouldn’t work since each of the 2 computers I had were running on different networks - one wired one wireless but the router was weird and couldn’t directly communicate b/w the two. Maybe I’ll try this again now that both comps are on the same network. However, I’ve never heard of Teleport, I’ll give it a whirl as well.
May 23rd, 2007 Quote
Vincent
virbrocks.com
I’ve heard of many schools thinking of switching over to Macs simply because they are much more user friendly to students and they give insight to the more windows addicted students. The thought of controlling the computers as easily as this is definitely a benefit to schools and challenge the thought of always using windows, but it would also be a large test to whether there are numerous holes in macs, just because of all the bright students out there wouldn’t resist tinkering around. It’ll be interesting anyhow.
May 23rd, 2007 Quote
Jonathan Snook
snook.ca/jonathan
I use Synergy and have had no problems with stability. It’s been rock solid…even over wired and wireless connections. I have no problem recommending Synergy.
May 23rd, 2007 Quote
Andreas
xgrape.net
Great guide Derek!
Props for being brave and displaying your Mac Pro on the desk like that. I personally couldn’t stand the noise. It’ll have to stay underneath the table.
I’m using Apple Remote Desktop myself, for controlling a PowerBook in my bedroom
May 23rd, 2007 Quote
Andre
winnopeg.com
Wow, great timing; my second Mac is on it’s way to me right now.
May 23rd, 2007 Quote
Derek
5thirtyone.com
I can’t think of anything free. At one point the original SyncTogether was free before Mark/Space picked it up. ChronoSync is another application I know off the top of my head but that one is paid as well. I’m open to hear from others who may have a solution. You could always try creating an Automator action that mounted shared drives and synced directories whenever the computers were on the same network.
May 23rd, 2007 Quote
Chris
To sync two macs…just use rsync…it’s a wonderfully awesome built in unix utility. There are a few graphical front ends for it, just search on version tracker for rsync.
May 23rd, 2007 Quote
Thomas
You might want to consider using this VNC server over the built-in Apple Remote Desktop because it’s a ton more responsive even on a LAN.
http://www.apple.com/downloads/macosx/networking_security/vineserverosxvnc.html
May 23rd, 2007 Quote
Feldwebel Wolfenstool
“Expensive” KVM switch??? Duh? Whaa?…..oh, ya…. APPLE……HAHAHAHA…..PAY TRIPLE THEN, sucka.
May 23rd, 2007 Quote
Me
Why not just use Apple Remote Desktop?
May 23rd, 2007 Quote
Derek
5thirtyone.com
Anyone who recommends Apple Remote Desktop for personal / home use is insane. $300 for software that offers features which can be attained with free legal software is ridiculous.
May 23rd, 2007 Quote
rasterbator
rasterbator.wordpress.com
That being said, can Apple Remote Dektop even connect to remote machines? I use it in the office to install apps remotely to ten different Macs, but I could never figure out how to point it to my home IP.
On another note, Tmbuktu Pro is nice for Mac to Mac or Multiplatform environments. And it is cheaper than Apple Remote Desktop, although IMHO the features are marketed to different sets of customers.
May 23rd, 2007 Quote
Ben
showngo.wordpress.com
Thanks! This works great for me, for a remote connection solution.
May 23rd, 2007 Quote
Torben
I don’t get it I think - Hamachi I mean.
The only I see this could be useful if I was able to remotely control my office Mac where I couldn’t mess with router ports and the IP is possibly changing everyday.
Does it allow that ?…I just tried it. Got Hamachi running OK so they see eachother but I still can’t connect via Chicken…
May 23rd, 2007 Quote
TZ
I don’t really understand the need for Hamachi… Why don’t you use a secure SSH connection and tunnel VNC through it ? It’s secure, stable and can be set faster.
May 24th, 2007 Quote
Derek
5thirtyone.com
If I’m not mistaken, SSH does not guarantee the simplest [near] guarantee of getting through most firewalls. Hamachi operates on the standard internet port 80. Feel free to correct me if I’m wrong though
May 24th, 2007 Quote
Brett
ohlookitsbrett.com
I don’t know if it’s still the case, but I had a problem where HamachiX would slow down the computer pretty badly if it was left on for extended periods. Eventually I stopped using it because it go to be pretty bad.
May 24th, 2007 Quote
Jordan Chark
jordanchark.com/blog
Nicely illustrated. I use this method quite often even though I don’t own two Macs, I’m often finding myself using this when working on friend’s machines.
Even though Hamachi entirely bypasses the need for firewall configuration and/or port forwarding, using port 80 as Derek mentioned, I’ve had the same problem as Brett has in the past with it’s excessive lag after a long period of time. I figured it just wasn’t worth it if I could easily forward a port and use teleport,
May 24th, 2007 Quote
Derek
5thirtyone.com
Everyone that has been experiencing lag, have you all been updating regularly when updates are available? I’ve left HamachiX running for 4 days straight without any noticeable impact on system performance.
May 24th, 2007 Quote
MarkD
“So, is there any way to synchronize those two computers, so if I change for example an event in iCal on my PB, is it possible to automatically synchronize with the accout on the iMac?”
I was in the same position with several programs I wanted to sync. I finally just decided to put all those files I update constantly in a folder on my iDisk, (in both of my machines I use the local iDisk). Whenever there is a change in any file, it syncs the folder. If you have changed the same file on both machines before syncing, it will ask which one you want to keep, or if you want to keep both.
May 25th, 2007 Quote
rasterbator
rasterbator.wordpress.com
There is always .Mac service. Lbelieve you can set up an Applescript or an Automator workflow to do this, but I believe the iMac would need to be mounted already.
May 25th, 2007 Quote
Brett
ohlookitsbrett.com
Well, the recent update was the first update in nearly a year… so I don’t think that that’s the issue. The update doesn’t mention that it addresses lag anyways, just a couple minor bug fixes.
May 26th, 2007 Quote
Nicholas DiToro
nicholasditoro.com/serendipity/index.php?/archives/9-Free-KVM-Software-Minus-the-V.html
I had success with Synergy going between Windows and Linux. You can read about my experience by following the link.
May 28th, 2007 Quote
Eduardo
As for establishing a secure remote connection, I cannot speak highly enough of openvpn. It isn’t quite as simple as Hamachi; however, it doesn’t take long to configure.
May 31st, 2007 Quote
adin
adin.vox.com
You also want to check out the shareware app Spyme. It’s fairly inexpensive and doesn’t use the VNC protocol–so its got a little bit of security by obscurity. It also works *really* nicely for more than 2 computers and feature a “Help Desk” (useful for helping out family members) and also can be routed through SSH.
Jun 6th, 2007 Quote
Shawn Blanc
thefightspot.com
Derek - I noticed some warnings about installing HamachiX on Intel Macs and it crashing and causing errors. Have you had any trouble on your Mac Pro?
Jun 10th, 2007 Quote
Derek
5thirtyone.com
Haven’t had any issues with HamachiX + the Mac Pro. Anyone worried about using the recommended setup above might want to check out the beta of LogMeIn. I hear it’s supposed to be pretty good. I haven’t had a chance to thorough experiment with the software yet though.
Jun 10th, 2007 Quote
Eugene
ovfn.com
Thanks for the tip. I’m new to the mac and learning more about it each day.
Jun 12th, 2007 Quote
Willie Newton
What if I want to control two different macs on my home network remotely? Can I use different port numbers that point to two different local computers through my router?
Sep 26th, 2007 Quote
admin
5thirtyone.com
You can enable remote desktop from your Apple Preferences and port forward (router) to each Mac so you can access them remotely with a VNC client.
Sep 26th, 2007 Quote