1. I have controlled a machine using RDP (mstsc.exe: free
with MSwindows {if you have windows xp pro or vista you have
thisinstalled now just type mstsc in the run dialog box}) and
VNC(www.realvnc.com). This has been very fruitful, I have been able
to'connect with a remote user to allow them to see a part or
assemblyand see how it compared to the sketch they sent me. I have
alsocolaborated with others that changed the design while they were
inchicago and I was in seattle on the phone with them.I have
alsoremote controlled my desktop from a central design review pc
thatdid not have SWx installed on it. I would 'bring up' my
cubilclemachine (that did have SWx installed) to review the
design.2. Ihave no Idea if I was using VDI with either of
theseproducts.longtime lurker first time poster.
I've used RDP over a network and internet to work on SW.
Idon't recommend over the internet if you are doing something
otherthan helping someone. It's entirely too slow.
A more expensive option (I assume) for collaboration would be
touse webex. I have used webex before with other 3D
softwareand found it to work very well. If you are trying to
justaccess a remote computer, then it wouldn't work.
My experience with SolidWorks over RDP has been mixed at
best.
On a LAN, some days it has worked well for me, other times I have
trouble with the graphics freezing.
From a remote location and through our VPN, I have not had good
luck at all. When I tried to open a very simple model, the screen
froze completely and I was unable to recover it until I returned to
the office.
I would recommend extensive testing before implementing this as an
engineer's primary solution.
You could try PCNow from WebEx. I've been using this for a
coupleof years now and it works very well.
http://pcnow.webex.com/
Basically you register your PC with WebEx and leave it
on.You can then use any PC (Customer site, airport etc), log onto
theWebEx site, enter your details and within seconds you have
youroffice PC desktop in the browser window. You can then use it as
younormally do.
I don't advocate full on working as you are dependent on
theinternet access speed for feedback but for quick checking of
filesor opening a model to check details it is fine. You can
alsotransfer files to the remote machine via the web browser -
thisalone has saved me a lot of time in the days before Pack and
Go!Also ideal when you are stuck in an airport and your customer
wantsa file emailing - just log on and fire up your office email
clientand email the file!
Scenario:
An Engineer who is overseas and needs access to a workstation for Modeling & FEA to solve a problem.
Laptops are not strong enough in processing power & memory to solve the problem.
On a LAN, some days it has worked well for me, other times I have trouble with the graphics freezing.
From a remote location and through our VPN, I have not had good luck at all. When I tried to open a very simple model, the screen froze completely and I was unable to recover it until I returned to the office.
I would recommend extensive testing before implementing this as an engineer's primary solution.
http://pcnow.webex.com/
Basically you register your PC with WebEx and leave it on.You can then use any PC (Customer site, airport etc), log onto theWebEx site, enter your details and within seconds you have youroffice PC desktop in the browser window. You can then use it as younormally do.
I don't advocate full on working as you are dependent on theinternet access speed for feedback but for quick checking of filesor opening a model to check details it is fine. You can alsotransfer files to the remote machine via the web browser - thisalone has saved me a lot of time in the days before Pack and Go!Also ideal when you are stuck in an airport and your customer wantsa file emailing - just log on and fire up your office email clientand email the file!
I see they now support the iPhone...
For remote support, MS LiveMeeting has issues...everything seems to work fine, except we can't view the graphics area of the SW app.
Also for remote support, I have had excellent experiences with GoToAssist and a local VAR. It worked very well.
Cheers!