Today, all Web access is considered a form of remote connectivity, so the idea of connecting remotely to a computer has greatly broadened with numerous potential solutions. Remote control software like the old favorite desktop solution, Symantec's pcAnywhere, has been around for years. Software is loaded on both machines, and the PCs have to be turned on with the remote control software loaded in memory. The operator initiates the keystrokes at the remote machine, and through a modem, the local machine responds, performs the processing, and sends back screen images of the results to the remote machine. This type of interaction is handy for a few situations, including training, technical support, and troubleshooting.
Remote node involves one computer in which the user is directly logged onto the network.
It can be a regular file server with RAS software, and internal or external modems. Users are given a bank of phone numbers to call in from dial-up or ISDN lines, and the server handles authentication of the users before granting network access. A broader view of accessing applications remotely could be had with the Web on the scene. Zollars can access his entire tax research library from any computer and especially likes that he doesn't have to open up his own office systems to the exposure of outsiders. Among the numerous tools for telecommuters and other remote users are mobile and wireless access devices.