Programming from home to the lab?

AI Thread Summary
The discussion centers on the challenges of programming from home for lab applications, particularly when the home setup lacks the necessary hardware. Key solutions proposed include using Remote Desktop and VNC for remote access to the lab computer, though concerns about firewall restrictions and performance issues are noted. Suggestions also include transferring code from home to the lab for testing, and using SSH for secure connections, with some users recommending Cygwin's SSHD for file transfers and potential graphical application forwarding. The feasibility of low-tech solutions, such as using a modem for remote access, is mentioned, but the consensus leans towards utilizing remote desktop solutions despite their limitations. Overall, the conversation highlights the need for effective remote programming strategies while addressing hardware dependencies.
nbo10
Messages
416
Reaction score
5
programming from home to the lab?

Hi all,
I'm using microsoft studio to develop a few programs that I use in lab to run various experiments. I want to write the programs at home, but I don't have the hardware on my home pc. I'm using XP, and wonder if there is a way I can log into a machine in my lab, copy the app to that computer and then run the app. It's a window app with a gui so I can't just telnet. I ahve broadband on both computers so bandwidth isn't a problem. Any Ideas?? Thanks

JMD
 
Technology news on Phys.org
  • Remote Desktop (assuming the lab pc runs Win XP)
  • VNC (possibly using SSH tunneling)
If the lab pc is behind a firewall, you might have to open some ports.
 
What programming language are you specifically using. If it is C/C++ you should just get a copy of Bloodshed's Dev-C++. It's opensource software, therefore it is free it use.

The likelyhood of doing VNC is almost silm to none. You'll need to run a server all day on the lab computer and most likely they've locked down the services that can run.
 
If the lab pc's ports are blocked by a firewall, you might try this low-tech approach.
Connect a lab phone-line to a modem on the lab-computer and call it from home. I'm not clear on how networking will work via modem... but I would think it should work. Remote Desktop or VNC will probably be sluggish, but it might be okay if you are patient and do not require a crisp desktop image. It may help to reduce the resolution and color-depth of the lab pc.

Maybe aspects of the development (which do not require the lab pc's hardware) can be done at home. Then, transfer the program to the lab pc. Then, use Remote Desktop or VNC to execute the program.
 
That's real practical. Why doesn't he just get a really long ethernet cable and hook the two computers up directly
 
I'm going to give the remote desktop a try. I can do most of the programming at home but at some point I need to make sure the code for the hardware works, I just don't want to have to spend more countless hours in lab than I have too.

JMD
 
Any chance he could run an SSH server and do some sort of forwarding? I know OpenSSH only supports X11 applications, but a more propiertary SSH might support forwarding graphical Win32 applications.
 
Last edited:
graphic7 said:
Any chance he could run an SSH server and do some sort of forwarding? I know OpenSSH only supports X11 applications, but a more propiertary SSH might support forwarding graphical Win32 applications.

I use cygwin's sshd. Using the PuTTY client, I get ssh access, scp file transfer, and forwarding of VNC and X... all through one open port.


Concerning modem-access to an office computer, my advisor used that technique since he didn't have broadband at home and the university dial-up lines were time-limited.
 
Can a Cygwin SSHD forward Windows applications (without the use of VNC), though?
 
  • #10
graphic7 said:
Can a Cygwin SSHD forward Windows applications (without the use of VNC), though?

Not that I know of.
I use VNC through SSH to access my remote Windows desktop.
 
  • #11
Ah, that's what I was thinking.

He could always rewrite his application to use X11 instead. :frown:
 

Similar threads

Back
Top