Access your OS X box from anywhere

Sep 13, '01 08:01:00PM

Contributed by: mithras

If you want to access your OS X computer from remote locations, you've probably encountered some of the same frustrations I did in easily connecting from anywhere. I've tracked down Java software that allows (more or less) secure, easy access from any computer with a web browser.

The built-in SSH server, and the VNC server compiled for OS X, are invaluable tools for complete remote control, but have a weakness: both require specialized client software at your remote location, which is difficult to find at a typical internet cafe, corporate, or educational computer.

Fortunately, smart people have written Java SSH, VNC, and FTP clients: so read the rest for my advice on setting up your built-in Apache server for full remote access.

1. Apache setup

The first thing to do is to set up a folder within /Local/WebServer/Documents to restrict access to certain users. Strictly speaking, your SSH, VNC, and FTP are available to outsiders anyway, but this helps keep out idle snoops. Read this hint for details:

http://www.macosxhints.com/article.php?story=20010422202915223

2. Java SSH
The most useful tool is the Java SSH applet, which allows you to run a SSH connection to your webserver within any browser window. Read about and download it at:

http://www.mud.de/se/jta/index.html

Note that you'll need to tweak the default installation to use the plugin "SSH" instead of "Telnet".

3. Java VNC
VNC allows graphical control of your computer from a remote location. The great folks at OSXvnc.com [UPDATE: osxvnc.com has expired and been taken over by a porn operation; do not try to visit!] made an OS X version of the server, including instructions to run it as a Startup item (to run between logins). However, for some reason they didn't include the Java client in their installation. After you've set up their package, go to the VNC home page and download the Mac or Linux server.

Within that package you can find the Java VNC viewer; put that in your Apache documents folder, tweak the web page a bit, and you have an in-browser VNC!

4. Java FTP
Unlimited FTP is a full-featured Java FTP client that is available in a free non-commercial demo. Just download the demo, put it in a folder in your Apache documents, and tweak a few settings. Now you also have full FTP access from any browser!

One important caveat: The Java in OS X / Internet Explorer is too buggy for any of these applets to work from OS X 10.0.4, ironically. Best to try these out from a Classic browser for now, though I hear that 10.1 fixes Java in IE.

The modifications required for any of these packages were fairly easy to do; however, I can put together a more detailed tutorial if anyone desires.

You can see an example of the apps (but not log in!) on my box by entering the username "guest" with no password. Remember, use Classic or Windows, not OS X, to connect here!

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Mac OS X Hints
http://hints.macworld.com/article.php?story=20010913200137518