Windows Network Administration on an iPad

[Nash Bridges]

I came across an article describing how an iPad can be used to manage a Windows network using iSSH (which includes VNC) and WinAdmin RDP.

While these apps have been around for a few years for the iPhone they were torture to use on the 3.5" screen. Supposedly there are now HD versions out for the iPad.

Has anyone tried using these on the iPad yet?

 

[supermanx]

Haven't tried the two you mentioned, but am using jump for RDP. It works very well. Keep an eye out the price has been fluctuating alot, from as low as 4.99 to as much as 14.99

 

[Nash Bridges]

Haven't tried the two you mentioned, but am using jump for RDP. It works very well. Keep an eye out the price has been fluctuating alot, from as low as 4.99 to as much as 14.99

I believe that Microsoft offers an RDP client for the iPhone OS 3.2 as well.

 

[ct2k7]

I believe that Microsoft offers an RDP client for the iPhone OS 3.2 as well.

I haven't seen one yet.

I use LogMeIn for my network.

 

[BabyGotMac]

I'm using WinAdmin and Desktop Connect - WinAdmin is nicer IMHO.

 

[DravenGSX]

I use the Citrix Receiver app for managing both my Windows and Solaris boxes/desktop. It's free. Of course, you need a Citrix farm as well.

It's really nice not having to wait for the laptop to boot in the middle of the night now.

 

[dtlee1974]

I've used iSSH and Desktop Connect for real work (I use MyRoutersPro for Cisco) on Windows and Linux. I've tried doing some things from my iPhone before but it was just too painful using that small screen. But, last night I was able to do an upgrade on my Spiceworks server using RDP and I didn't feel constrained or frustrated. Granted, that isn't the most demanding task but the extra screen real-estate made all the difference in the world.

I have not tried WinAdmin yet I would be interested to hear what makes it better than Desktop Connect. I will say Desktop Connect handles the mouse in a unique way, using the screen as a touchpad rather than doing a 1:1 mapping of the iPad to the remote desktop session. It was offputting at first but having gotten used to it I like it quite a bit better because I can see what's under the mouse when I'm clicking rather than having it obscured by my finger.

Anyway, there are plenty of apps that make network/server admin'ing from the iPad very feasible. I wouldn't want to work all day on one, but if something breaks while I'm out and about I feel confident that I don't need to carry my MBP just in case.

 

[gillybean]

I've been using WinAdmin on both the iPhone and the iPad - it's much more usable on the iPad because everything is actually large enough to click on.

I haven't tried any of the other Remote Desktop programs because this has worked well enough for me. There are some shortcomings though - I don't think WinAdmin allows you to press the Shift key, the Control key, the arrow keys, or any other keys that aren't on the iPad keyboard but which you might need when driving a real computer. I emailed the developer to ask about that but never heard back.