Best way to use Mini as "Personal Cloud" computer?

[macbook123]

I have a Macbook Air attached to a 30" monitor and just bought a Mini for heavy computations if I don't want to bog down my work flow on the Air.

What is the best way to set this up so that I can access the Mini from the Air without having to use a separate monitor? Remote Management? Or is there a different software/system?

 

[Consultant]

From the same network you can use the built in screen sharing.

Otherwise you can use the built in Apple Remote Desktop, VNC, or install something like logmein.

I use Apple Remote Desktop (you have to open ports on router for remote access).

 

[GimmeSlack12]

Heavy computations using what software? Screen sharing is built right into OS X, that's the fastest way I can think of.

 

[talmy]

I use Screen Sharing locally all the time (I've got 7 Macs at home) and remotely I use either Screen Sharing + VPN or tunnel over SSH (when the VPN ports are blocked as they are when I'm at work). Remotely it's pretty easy to use Logmein or Teamviewer or Screen Sharing + ShareTool. Best bet is to look at all of them to decide what works best for you.

 

[macbook123]

If I want to use it locally via screen sharing, do I have to also check Remote Management in the settings?

Also, I'm on a large network with many users and don't want others to have access to the mini's screen. But I don't see any password protection option in the settings pane. Is there a way to make sure nobody else access my mini?

Separate question: my mini is actually the server version. Does that lead to any security vulnerabilities?

 

[PhillStew]

I was thinking of doing just this. My own end goal would be to use a Mini Server, along with an external HDD to store all of my files. I think, based on what I have read that I could just mount this external HDD by connecting to my server on my various machines. Is this combo of a Mini Server + External HDD + A Dynamic DNS the best way to accomplish this? If so, how would I connect say, a work laptop to the shared HDD as well?

 

[Xgm541]

Logmein. Free and very useful.

 

[tdfreeman]

Don't need any software that doesn't come on the Macs. For local access, just use the share screen feature as others have said. For remote access, just use iCloud and "Back to My Mac". With iCloud on both computers, the Mini will always show in the shared section of finder. Since you are using iCloud, there shouldn't be any permissions issues. I've seen a lot of companies block all the different remote applications, but I've never had an issue with iCloud.

 

[PhillStew]

Don't need any software that doesn't come on the Macs. For local access, just use the share screen feature as others have said. For remote access, just use iCloud and "Back to My Mac". With iCloud on both computers, the Mini will always show in the shared section of finder. Since you are using iCloud, there shouldn't be any permissions issues. I've seen a lot of companies block all the different remote applications, but I've never had an issue with iCloud.

So what exactly will the Back To My Mac features buy me? What would I do if Apple kills these features?

 

[tdfreeman]

I thought iCloud (with Back to My Mac features) was free? I don't recall ever paying a fee for it.

Essentially it's just a remote connection from any Mac using that iCloud log in to any other Mac using the same ID. Also, if you have a Time Capsule, you can connect to it using the firmware update from a day or two ago.