LogMeIn from LogMeIn, Inc. provides remote access to Windows PCs, allowing users to setup their PCs such that they can access and control them from remote locations. The PC that is being accessed (the host) must be Windows based; while the remote machine being used to access the PC (the client) must support a Java-enabled Web browser (on any O/S). The host computer must also be on and connected to a direct, always-on Internet connection. The vendor does state that the service is able to work properly through firewalls. Special instructions for connecting through ZoneAlarm and other application specific configurations are provided on the LogMeIn Web site.

To setup the software, the user first downloads and installs a component from the LogMeIn Web site on the host computer. They then launch that component on the host. To access the host, they connect directly to the LogMeIn.com Web site from any client (I.E., Java-enabled, Internet connected) computer and login to that Web site to access their host computer. An additional authentication check is then done by the host computer (i.e., in addition to logging into the LogMeIn site itself) before actual access is granted to the machine. Host authentication is based on the user's Windows user name and password (for the Windows OSs that support them) or an access code that the user supplied to the LogMeIn component when it was installed on the host.

Once connected, the user can control the host machine from the client, including the ability to cut/paste data between the two machines. All connections and data transfers between the connected computers are protected via SSL encryption (both from the client to the vendor's gateway, and from the vendor's gateway to the host computer).

The services described above are free to LogMeIn users. A LogMeIn Pro version is also available ($12.95/month for a single PC; volume discounts are available) offering additional capabilities including file transfer and synchronization, file sharing, local-to-remote printing, and a "Guest Invite" feature that allows you to invite a friend or colleague to remotely view or control your Local PC's desktop.

Other separately priced products in the LogMeIn stable are also based on remote access capabilities, and include:

- LogMeIn IT Reach, targeted to administrators for remote IT support. IT Reach also includes file sharing, guest invite, local printing, and file transfer capabilities; connectivity is facilitated through the vendor's gateway (both the administrator and the target PC first connect to the vendor's gateway, and are then connected directly to one another). Additional administrative features include deployment of the LogMeIn target component via a link-based mechanism; E-mail alerting for events, thresholds, disk space, etc.; a dashboard displaying all supported PCs; and other Administrative tools including diagnostics, computer management, performance monitoring, and background/unattended access support (following the initial installation of the client component). The LogMeIn Network Console can also be used in conjunction with LogMeIn IT Reach; the Network Console provides a centralized management interface for the administrator who needs to support a large number of machines (features include one click connections to target machines, push deployments for on-LAN machines, multiple simultaneous sessions handling, more). Pricing for LogMeIn IT Reach starts at $12.95/month per computer; volume pricing is available.

- LogMeIn IT Rescue, which facilitates on-demand remote support for a PC. For support, the customer downloads a small applet within which they can communicate with the remote technician and grant them access privileges to work on their PC. When the session is over, the applet is removed from the customer's PC. Pricing for LogMeIn IT Rescue is $129/month per technician seat.

New and currently in beta is LogMeIn IT Rescue + Mobile, which enables remote technicians to remotely access and control mobile phones. The beta version allows support for smartphones running Windows Mobile; with the vendor noting that future versions will support Symbian and BlackBerry. LogMeIn IT Rescue + Mobile is expected to be available by the end of October, with a price tag of $1,950 per year, per technician.

- LogMeIn Backup, for Windows 2000/XP/2003/Vista. LogMeIn Backup is setup on two or more computers (one of which is designated as the "Storage PC"), and allows for the automated remote backup of selected data from a PC to the Storage PC either immediately or on a set schedule. Again, connectivity is through the vendor's gateway; and communications are protected via SSL communications. By default, backup sets are stored in a password-protected, encrypted state on the Storage PC. Pricing for LogMeInBackup is $3.95/month for a pair of PCs; with additional PCs priced at $3.49/month per.

- LogMeIn Hamachi, a UDP-based VPN service that enables peers to connect to one another via encrypted communications. Similar to the other LogMeIn offerings described above, the peers are initially connected via communications with the vendor's own "mediation server," which enables the PCs to locate one another and establishes the communication channel between them (once the connection is made, no further traffic is routed through the LogMeIn servers). A feature-limited free and premium versions of the service are available; premium pricing starts at $4.95 per license per month.

- LogMeIn Ignition, a specialized client version of LogMeIn for use with the Pro, Free, or IT Reach versions; designed to be portable and storable on Flash drives, iPods, PDAs, etc. The tool includes the user's login information and preferences; enabling the user to plug in the portable media to the computer and connect to their target PCs without installation or configuration. LogMeIn Ignition pricing starts at $7.95 per month.

- LogMeIn Scout, which enables administrators to detect and manage LogMeIn installations within their network. LogMeIn Scout is a free utility.

The LogMeIn products are available now. Visit the LogMeIn Web site for further information.

product submission by EITPlanet Staff

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