Best way to access VPN and RDP into remote Windows PC

[MR_Boogy]

I work remotely and on my normal Windows desktop, I use Sonicwall VPN to connect to the work network and then I RDP into my remote workstation.

I need to travel and my only laptop is a 10.8 MacBook. I wondered what the best solution is here:

1. Install Bootcamp and Win7, then install the VPN on Win7 and go as normal
2. Use parallels or some similar product, then install the VPN on Win7 and go as normal
3. Somehow install VPN and RDP clients directly in OSX

I've used Bootcamp before on OSX 10.5 but never tried anything like Parallels to know if it will work well. As for option #3, I don't even know if this is possible.

Thanks for any tips.

 

[tersono]

OS X has a built-in VPN client - you'll find it under the networking tab in system prefs. Unfamiliar with SonicWall, but it may be compatible (I use it with the standard Windows Server VPN implementation).

Then either Microsoft's RDP or, my personal preference CoRD (open-source freeware) and you're in. You certainly don't need Windows (I manage a corporate network for a living - it's all done from Macs either remotely or on-site using CoRD and VPN when needed).

 

[balamw]

There is a NetExtender client for Sonicwall SSL VPNs that you can usually download from the VPN appliance via your browser. Just connect to it using Safari and you should see download links.

B

 

[S.B.G]

I have a Cisco ASA 5510 VPN security appliance at work and I use that with OS X's built in Cisco IPSec VPN protocol along with the RDP from Microsoft for OS X to remote into my office PC and servers. It's a very simple, secure setup and works well for me.

 

[dazman09]

Yea OSX has a VPN client built right in that complies with industry standards. Unless sonicwall is doing something funky, it should work just fine. Look under Network Settings in the Settings window.

Also, you can download the Microsoft Official RDP client and use that. Works fine for me.

An alternative to VPN is Hamachi VPN. You install the client on either computer then use RDP over Hamachi. No VPN to configure or use. Hamachi is super simple. Assigns a 5.x.x.x to your computers in a private network. Hamachi adds compression and encryption to the link as well.

Or, use LogMeIn free. Works great. I actually use it daily. Mac has a free desktop client to make it super easy to use. Just install LogMeIn on the computers you want to access, then install the client on your Mac (or you can use the website as well) and log in. No ports to open in the firewall, no VPN to screw with...

 

[GGJstudios]

I use TeamViewer, which is free for personal use and works with Windows, Mac OS X, Linux, Ubuntu, iPhone, iPad, etc. It's very secure and quite simple to set up and use (no messing around with ports), which comes in handy if providing remote support to those who aren't very computer literate. You can talk them through the setup on their end and be connected to them in less than a minute. I prefer it over LogMeIn because it includes free file transfers between computers, a feature I use frequently.

 

[balamw]

Yea OSX has a VPN client built right in that complies with industry standards. Unless sonicwall is doing something funky, it should work just fine. Look under Network Settings in the Settings window.

OSX offers support for L2TP, PPTP and Cisco IPSec. Sonicwall offers SSL based VPN solutions. It's not funky, or not based on standards, just not supported.

B