NetOp 5.4 for Windows

Control remote computers without leaving your desk

NetOp 5.4 for Windows, a remote control utility for Windows-based systems from CrossTec, can run on LANs and WANs. NetOp lets you control hosts remotely using IPX, TCP/IP, NetBIOS, direct cable connections, and serial modem links. The software consists of two components: Host and Guest. The Host component waits for connection requests and lets remote users access your system. The Guest component establishes a connection to the Host.

Installation and Use
To test NetOp, I installed the software on two home-built dual Pentiumsystems (a Micronics-based NT server and an American Megatrends MegaRUM NT workstation) and a Windows 95 host (an Acer America Pentium system). I accepted all the default options and had no problems using the software.

To use NetOp, users must first launch the Host component on theirworkstations and program the software to listen for an inbound call. A remote user running the Guest component can then connect to the Host. For my test, the Win95 machine ran the Guest component and NT server ran the Host component. I used the Start menu on the NT server to launch the NetOp Event Viewer and check for error messages, as Screen 1 shows.

Special Features
NetOp includes several features that enhance its remote controlcapabilities. With the program's Chat feature, Guest and Host users cancommunicate in realtime, which is especially helpful if one is providing theother with technical support. NetOp has built-in file-transfer capabilities sothat you can retrieve files from the Host and send files (e.g., a configurationfile update) as necessary. Using NetOp's phone book, you can store the names ofsystems you commonly access to save time when you connect to those systems inthe future.

NetOp also offers security features. You can set default and individualGuest session access privileges and require users to enter passwords to log onto the system. Initiating chat sessions, sending and receiving files, lettingthe Guest user use the keyboard and mouse, and booting the Host are severalaccess privileges you can set. If you are concerned about security over a serialconnection, you can implement a callback plan using fixed or roving telephonenumbers.

The Glitch
NetOp's Guest component can run as many as 10 simultaneous sessions (e.g.,connection, chat, or user sessions) between your local system and a remotesystem. When I had an active connection to my NT server, I easily connectedremotely to my NT workstation. However, when I ran two connection sessionsconcurrently, I found NetOp cum-
bersome. To navigate through the remotesystems' screens, I had to use the scroll bars to access icons and the Startmenu. The software has a Screen Scaling feature to help alleviate this problem,but I couldn't activate it. For me, the easiest way to use the software was tomaximize the client screen when I ran multiple sessions simultaneously. Thatway, I didn't have to frequently use the scroll bar.

Pricing
As a remote control program, NetOp contains features and functions similarto those in Artisoft's CoSession Remote 32, Symantec's pcANYWHERE, andMicrosoft's System Management Server (SMS). However, NetOp costs almost twice asmuch as CoSession Remote/32. CrossTec prices NetOp by component: Each Guest andHost requires one license. One major difference between NetOp and CoSessionRemote/32 that might make the added cost worthwhile is that with NetOp, yourGuest can be another Windows client (it doesn't need to be your NT server). Inaddition, NetOp is a great troubleshooting tool.