How to run a single computer from two desks?

June 11, 2007 6:52 AM

What is the best way to allow a user to access a computer from two different locations in one office?

One of my users is getting a new desk for customer consultation, but their computer will stay at their current desk. What is the best way to allow the user to have the same setup, use the same programs, etc (basically run the same machine from two different locations >50ft apart). The computer is a Windows 2000 box on a Server 2003 domain.

posted by boreddusty to computers & internet (16 comments total)

Remote desktop
posted by ReiToei at 7:05 AM on June 11, 2007

laptop
posted by b1tr0t at 7:21 AM on June 11, 2007

KVM switch
posted by Leon at 7:24 AM on June 11, 2007

seconding remote desktop
posted by true at 7:26 AM on June 11, 2007

KVM switch

50 feet?
posted by ReiToei at 7:27 AM on June 11, 2007

thanks! I was looking at remote desktop but was hoping there was a way to do this without running another computer. I guess there isn't.
posted by boreddusty at 7:50 AM on June 11, 2007

Leon was on to something, but I think you wouldn't need a KVM switch (which would cover the opposite situation: two PCs with one console) but rather a KVM splitter. This one here claims to work over a distance of up to 250 feet with an extension cable.
posted by Herr Fahrstuhl at 8:22 AM on June 11, 2007

Color me corrected :)
posted by ReiToei at 8:30 AM on June 11, 2007

Win 2k Pro doesn't support incoming remote desktop connections.

Try a VNC variant like tight VNC
posted by Good Brain at 8:30 AM on June 11, 2007

Yep, you dont get remote desktop with win2k. If you want a one computer solution and dont want to drag a bunch of wires, try googling "kvm over ethernet" If that new desk has an ethernet drop, you're set.
posted by damn dirty ape at 8:52 AM on June 11, 2007

KVM switch

50 feet?

Yup (or what damn dirty ape said).

(Suggestion: the "correct" solution is probably to set up roaming user profiles. More work, but instead of being a hack for one desktop it's a benefit for the whole organisation).
posted by Leon at 9:12 AM on June 11, 2007

Thanks for the links.

Won't roaming profiles cause a significant increase in login times, though?
posted by boreddusty at 9:28 AM on June 11, 2007

If the DC is local, and the user doesn't have a lot of stuff in their profile, logon times are negligible. Best to set up something to clear out temp/internet files on a regular basis if you go this route, too.
posted by Liosliath at 10:12 AM on June 11, 2007

the KVM splitter is what you want, but they are about the same price as running remote desktop on a cheap computer. i'm assuming you already have the keyboard, mouse and monitor.
posted by rhizome at 10:55 AM on June 11, 2007

VNC

is the technology that Microsoft is publishing under the brand "Remote desktop"

i like tightvnc
posted by qbxk at 11:14 AM on June 11, 2007

Err, no. Remote Desktop is not VNC.

RDP is very different than VNC. VNC just grabs video from the frame buffer, compresses it and moves it down the line. That means no file, printer, etc support and very poor performance at low to medium bandwidth. RDP or ICA go a level below that, grab the system calls to draw stuff, and pass those compressed calls to the client. They are also part of an ITU standard that allows file, print, and even USB to work over the network. It also gives very good low bandwidth performance.

If you have Remote Desktop (RDP) you should use it instead of VNC.
posted by damn dirty ape at 12:05 PM on June 11, 2007