Note that this section doesn't apply to those using free System Access to Go accounts.
System Access has two remote access options: Remote Control and Remote Training and Support. These features are similar, but different in the ways that they are used. Remote Control allows you to control your home computer from any remote location. Remote Training and Support allows you, with permission, to access another person's computer to either train the person or fix the person's computer from a remote location. Obviously, in both cases all the computers involved must have Internet access. These options require System Access running on a remote machine directly or from either a U3 smart drive or a PassKey; both systems must be running Windows XP. The remote capabilities are significantly more functional than available under Microsoft's Remote Desktop technology.
Using System Access Remotely... Away From Home
When running System Access from a U3 smart drive, PassKey, or secondary machine, you can have complete remote control of your home computer. With this feature, you can run any applications that you want on your home computer while you're away from home. You do not have to be running System Access on the home computer; you can run a compatible third-party screen reader if you prefer.
The default setting for enabling remote control is "off." You must turn it on to enable remote access. Go to the System Access Mobile Network Preferences section on your home computer. Select: "Manage My HomeServer", and follow the "Remote Control Preferences" link. This link gives you the option to enable remote control, as well as other remote control preferences.
If you are running a firewall or router you do not need to open any ports to access your home computer over the Internet. However, if you're running a firewall on your home computer and wish to access it from another computer on the same local area network, you will need to open port 4663 in your home computer's firewall. The System Access HomeServer is designed with security in mind, so there is no need to worry about someone breaking into your home computer through this feature. Also note that all communication between remote machines and the home computer is strongly encrypted using SSL, the same technology used by leading online stores and banks. Your activities stay private.
To access your home computer remotely, open the "System Access Menu", with Modifier+F, and choose "Remote Control Another Computer". If you are running System Access from a PassKey and have not connected to the System Access Mobile Network during this session, you will need to log into the SA Mobile Network. When prompted, simply enter your account number and your PIN in the usual way. Next, you will be asked which machine you want to remotely access; in this case, choose "Primary Machine." If you have a secondary machine which is currently online, you can also choose "Secondary Machine" to control it remotely. Next, you are presented with options for this remote session, such as voice conversation settings, and whether visual output is enabled. Note that the audio quality option has no effect on text-to-speech when running System Access on the home machine; the speech is synthesized by the machine you are accessing from, so you will always get the speech quality you have on your U3 smart drive or PassKey. If you don't need visual output, you can check the "Disable visual output for this session" check box to turn off visual output and save some bandwidth. After setting these options, activate the "Start Session" button, and after a short delay, you will be connected to your home computer.
At this point, you can use your home computer as if you were sitting in front of it. One special hot key is active at this time: Shift+Modifier+Escape opens System Access's remote control menu. The most important option on this menu is to close the remote session. You can also toggle visual output, or minimize the remote session so you can temporarily go back to the computer at which you're sitting without disconnecting from the home computer.
Remote Training and Support
What is Remote Training and Support?
Have you ever called tech support or a computer geek friend with the opening words, "I'm ready to throw this piece of junk out the window! It is not working the way I think it should and I know that there is a way to fix it, but I am too nervous about making the problem worse, or changing a setting that I shouldn't have. Can you please fix it for me?"
Or maybe you're the geek on the other end of the line thinking: "If only I could fix the computer for them, without having to tell them every painstaking step that I need them to take. They're all over the mouse, keyboard, and screen, and I am sure that I could fix the problem in a fraction of the time!"
If you've harbored either or both of those thoughts you are ready for Remote Training and Support! It does not matter if you are a computer newbie, or if you are a super computer geek. Remote Training and Support was made for you.
Remote Training and Support allows you to connect to someone's computer, and control it. For example, either a knowledgeable friend is helping you, or you are the knowledgeable friend helping someone in need. You are discussing the problem and the one who needs help exclaims, "Hey can you just take control of my computer and fix it for me?"
Using System Access's Remote Training and Support feature, the helper sends an electronic invitation to the needy party's computer. The needy party accepts the invitation, and the helper is able to control the needy party's computer. Note that this control is by consent only. No one is able to control your computer unless you give your permission.
Even if you do give your permission, you can end the Remote Training and Support session at any time. In short, you always have control over your computer. In fact, you can use your computer in tandem with a trusted helper. Your good Samaritan can have you try things to make sure the fix is working. He or she can train you in using a feature. You can watch what is being done on your computer, and the remote party can watch what you are doing as long as he or she is connected.
You and a partner can also trade places as it were and flip the session back and forth. For example, if a trainer has connected to your computer to teach you a common Windows application, then wants to show you an application that isn't available on your computer, the trainer can flip the session and connect you to his or her computer. When done showing you the less widely available application, the trainer can flip the session again and get back on your computer. As always, you can end the Remote Training and Support session at any time.
Audio quality refers to the voice conversation quality. To activate voice conversations just check the, "Start a voice conversation" check box. Then in the, "Voice conversation audio quality" drop down box, you can select either, high-end broadband, broadband, or dialup or low bandwidth wireless. This is ideal for training situations and it doesn't consume precious cell phone minutes or run up long distance bills.
Using Remote Training and Support
To begin Remote Training and Support session, open the System Access Menu by pressing Modifier+F and choose "Remote Control Another Computer." If you are running System Access from a PassKey and have not connected to the System Access Mobile Network, you will be asked to log in to the SA Mobile Network; enter your account number and PIN in the usual way. Next, you will be asked which machine you want to remotely access; in this case, choose "Another User's Computer." You will then be prompted for the user name or account number of the remote user; enter whichever is most convenient for you. As with Remote Control, you may disable visual output to save bandwidth. Remember that you can have voice conversations with each other. Just check the, "Start a voice conversation" check box. Then in the, "Voice conversation audio quality" drop down box, you can select either, high-end broadband, broadband, or dialup or low bandwidth wireless. To request remote access, press the "Request Remote Control" button.
Once your request is sent, you'll need to wait for the remote user to accept or reject it. If the remote user doesn't respond, you can cancel the request by pressing the "Cancel" button. If the remote user accepts your request, System Access will notify you, and within a few seconds, you'll be connected to the remote computer. When you are connected, System Access will say "Remote Session."
If you receive a Remote Training and Support request, press Control+Shift+Y to accept it or Control+Shift+N to reject it. If you accept the request, you will be notified when the remote user is connected to your computer. You will also be notified when the remote user has disconnected.
At any time during the session, you can press Modifier+Shift+Escape to open a menu with options pertaining to the session. If you are the person remotely accessing a computer, you can toggle visual output, minimize the session (to temporarily return to your local computer without ending the session), or close the session. If your computer is being remotely accessed, you can force the remote user to disconnect.
If you initiated the Remote Training and Support session, the menu that appears when you press Modifier+Shift+Escape will include the option to flip the session. When you flip the session, you and the remote user reverse roles. Specifically, when you flip the session the first time, your local desktop will return, and the remote user will be connected to your computer. When you flip the session again, the remote user's local desktop will return, and you will be re-connected to the remote computer. At all times, only the person who initiated the session can flip it, but either person can end the session.
Differences Between the Two Forms of Remote Access
Though these two forms of remote access have much in common, they also differ in a few important ways.
First, when using Remote Training and Support, the person sitting at the computer to which you want to connect must allow the connection. This is not needed when using Remote Control to access one of your own computers.
Second, when using Remote Control to access your own computer, speech output from System Access and the SA Mobile Network is disabled on the remotely accessed computer for the duration of the remote session. This is because you're accessing your own computer, so there's no one sitting at the computer who needs to hear what's happening. However, when using Remote Training and Support, speech output is enabled at both ends, since people at both ends need to hear what's happening.
Third, when using Remote Training and Support, the person remotely accessing a computer doesn't hear arbitrary audio from the system or from applications running on that computer. This means that Remote Training and Support cannot be used with third-party screen readers as is possible when using Remote Control to access one's own computer.
Finally, when using Remote Control to access your own computer, you can't flip the session as you can with Remote Training and Support, since it's assumed that there's no one at your home computer who would want to control the computer at which you're sitting.