I experimented with LogMeIn but really wanted to leave the web browser for browsing and remote control of a computer to a VNC client. Having previously setup my computers for VNC access / control on the local network, the changes for remote access were minimal. In short, setting up remote VNC access requires:

1. VNC server running on the host (home) computer
2. Your home router forwarding required ports to the host computer
3. Helpful: Easy to remember dynamic hostname instead of memorizing an IP
4. VNC viewer (client) for your remote computer or iPhone

I wanted to document the process here for Mac OS X 10.5+ users with along with some helpful screenshots for curious minds.

First, enable Screen Sharing on your Mac. Open System Preferences > Sharing and tick the ‘Screen Sharing’ option. In the screenshot above I’ve added the password requirement for controlling the screen (Computer Settings…).

In order to access your home computer remotely, you’ll need to forward the necessary ports appropriately. To do this, log into your Airport Extreme. Select Manual Setup. Inside the Advanced tab, select the Advanced tab then Port Mapping. Inside of this dialog, select the small ‘+’ (plus) button. The port mapping setup assistant will slide into view. Select Remote Login – SSH & Apple Remote Desktop. Each selection will automatically fill the correct ports. Select Continue after specifying each service.

You Port Mapping window should now look like the image above. Ensure that both checkboxes are checked then proceed to update the new settings to your router.

DynDNS to save you from remembering your IP

To keep the entire process of accessing your computer remotely easy, setup a free account at DynDNS (create account). Once the account has been properly setup, return to the main dashboard and look for My Services.

What you want to setup is a new Host Service > Dynamic DNS Hosts.

Select Add New Host on the following screen. DynDNS will request some basic info related to your home Mac.

The first field – Hostname – will be your "memorable" URL to access your computer remotely from outside of your home network (select from alternate domains using the dropdown). Select Service Type: Host with IP address. DynDNS can automatically fill-in your location IP address (click on the link). The rest of the settings can be ignored.

Chances are your location IP will change every so often (without you knowledge). Unless you’re paying your service provider for a static IP, you’ll want to install the DynDNS Updater (free). This handy daemon runs in the background and updates DynDNS with your current IP.

Connecting to your home Mac with a VNC client

Now that VNC is enabled on the home Mac, the appropriate ports forwarded and DynDNS setup, it’s time to connect remotely. The first option is to use a VNC client like Chicken of the VNC. The alternative (my preference) is to use the built-in VNC client provided by Apple as of 10.5 Leopard – the same client use for Back to my Mac. To access the client, go to Finder > Go > Connect to Server or CMD +K.

Upon successfully connecting, you will be prompted to enter the previously setup credentials to control your remote Mac. The beauty of Apple’s integrated VNC client is the fact that larger remote screens are automatically resized to fit. For MacBook / MacBook Pro users, the iMac or Apple Cinema display at home will be resized to fit (with the option to view at full resolution).

Do you use VNC? What method to you use to manage / control your computer at home?

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]

Get an Online Degree in Web Design

Learn more about networking and computers with an online information technology degree. It’s easy to learn online when you find an online college that can work with your schedule, no matter how hectic it may be! Learn more online, and work towards a rewarding career.