Need a little help

  • Thread starter Thread starter Klutch
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Klutch

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Ok I have a pc running through a router to the internet and I have my new pc for recording only.

What is the best way to be able to control my internet PC from my DAW but without the DAW ever touching the internet if possible.

What i mean by controlling the internet PC is I want to be able to have my DAW running with the one monitor I have and one keyboard and mouse but i want to be able to see from my daw the windows i have on my internet PC and be able to control it so that i can bounce internet files over to my DAW easily but without having to unplug my monitor and keyboard and replug and all that crap.

Im not an idiot when it comes to computers, im just an idiot when it comes to certain networking issues.

I run winxp pro so i have remote desktop if that can be used but I want to be sure that my DAW never touches the internet once again if its even possible:)

all help appreciated.
 
Klutch said:
Ok I have a pc running through a router to the internet and I have my new pc for recording only.

What is the best way to be able to control my internet PC from my DAW but without the DAW ever touching the internet if possible.

What i mean by controlling the internet PC is I want to be able to have my DAW running with the one monitor I have and one keyboard and mouse but i want to be able to see from my daw the windows i have on my internet PC and be able to control it so that i can bounce internet files over to my DAW easily but without having to unplug my monitor and keyboard and replug and all that crap.

Im not an idiot when it comes to computers, im just an idiot when it comes to certain networking issues.

I run winxp pro so i have remote desktop if that can be used but I want to be sure that my DAW never touches the internet once again if its even possible:)

all help appreciated.
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Well, at the end of the day, if you want your DAW PC to control your web PC, they need some form of connection. This connection will be susceptible to attack. There is no way to get around the fact 1 computer needs to talk to the other, so it’s impossible to 100% isolate them. Anyone with advanced firewalls and security, feel free to correct me.

I am a bit confused about how you want them to talk to each other. If its just switching the keyboard and mouse over, and no data needs to go between the 2, maybe invest in a monitor switch: http://www.netshop.co.uk/productcategorydetail.aspx?categoryid=52042

I would assume remote desktop is your best option. I would: connect both PC's onto the network, and install firewalls and virus protection on both. On the DAW PC set everything to max. For example on the firewall tell it to limit/approve all incoming and outgoing connections. Basically make it a strong wall. On the web PC, set it up for normal settings.

I would be very surprised if anything at a consumer level would be able to penetrate a decent and up-to-date firewall and virus scanner.
 
Hmpf.... "Daw never touches the internet" is 1995 thinking.

In those ancient days, you had to strip all the functionality out of a daw to get any performance out of them.

Now that's just a holdover tip that has no meaning anymore.

You still have to protect EVERY computer from infection, too....
 
Most routers provide a hardware firewall. That is, nothing comes or goes out without your knowledge(action).

Connect your main PC and your DAW to the router via RJ45 cable - standard phone jack like connector.

In both PC's, authorize your 'shared documents' folder so they can see each other - use "Help and Support" in XP.

You can then transfer files by putting them in the Shared Documents folder.
 
You could do a combination of what the two above posts said. Using a KVM switch (look them up on newegg, they're cheap: ~$30) and then making sure the computers are networked and dropping the files in a shared folder.

OR

You can set up a VNC server on the internet PC and connect remotely with the DAW. (I think it should work over your local network)

http://www.realvnc.com/

Good luck! Networking is never fun...
 
Depending on your router and/or firewall, you can possibly do the following:
  • Make sure only your Internet PC gets NATed. No NAT, no Internet access, because your internal network automatically gets what's called Private IP addresses that are not routable through the internet.
  • Make sure you only allow outside -> in connections only to your Internet PC's IP address.
  • Make sure you run a robust antivirus/antispyware program, something like Kasperki Antivirus is both very affordable and more effective that things such as Symante/Norton. Make sure it is setup to scan files that you download from the internet.
  • Setup file sharing on both your PCs.
  • Map the drive on your Internet PC that holds the files in question to your DAW. This way you can copy the files over to your local drive. Before you copy the file over, scan it with your antivirus program of choice.
You can definitely use Remote Desktop to remotely control your Internet PC.
 
If there's any chance you can get your hands on another monitor - look into synergy. One keyboard, one mouse - two computers, each with their own monitor, and smooth transitions from one machine to the other just by sliding the mouse off the side of one screen, and onto the other... It kicks the crap out of KVMs and/or remote desktop. I used to use synergy when I still bothered with keeping my DAW off the Internet. It works across different operating systems, too - so if you're really paranoid, you can run Linux and clamWin on your internet machine, and still control both with the same keyboard and mouse and not have to mess with remote desktop or X forwarding or any of that (not that that won't work - it will, of course - but others have already addressed that).

To keep the DAW off the Internet - the easiest way is to just give it a static IP, and block that IP at the router, so it has LAN access, but it's cut off from the outside world. Should require about 3 clicks and 10 keystrokes in any router's web interface.

Some dude using Synergy with two computers on Youtube. Looks like some kind of Linux or older Windows on the left, and either Linux/Gnome or OSX on the right...
 
thanks for the help. I think ill just go remote desktop for now. Im sure ill get tired of it and just put the DAW on the net eventually haha. I know people say that was a back in the day thing having DAWs offline but i still like to keep my machine clean and clutter free without antivirus and all that.
 
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