When you connect to a remote system, you specify the type of connection,
either file transfer, remote access, or chat. The file transfer window displays
two panels: One represents your local system, and the other represents the
connected remote system. You can move files between the two systems (or panels)
by clicking on the files you want to move and dragging them to their
destination. Screen 1, page 99, shows a typical file transfer session. The
interface is similar to Windows Explorer.
A LapLink feature related to file transfer is the Xchange Agent. This
feature lets you automatically synchronize folders between two machines. A
wizard guides you through the configuration process. It guides you in selecting
folders and taking the right steps when a file already exists or has multiple
versions. After the wizard finishes, you can begin the process immediately, or
you can schedule the process through the Scheduler.
LapLink's remote control feature is useful, especially for NT Servers
located some distance away. Launching a remote control session opens a window
echoing the remote system's screen on your screen, as Screen 2, page 99, shows.
After the session opens, you can move around the window, click on icons, launch
programs, or use the Start menu. Anything you need to do locally on the machine,
LapLink accomplishes remotely. The remote system mirrors all actions, so a user
present at the remote machine can follow your actions.
LapLink's remote chat utility lets you have a keyboard exchange with a
remote user. Help desks can use this feature to show remote users the steps for
completing tasks on their own.
Several other features of LapLink are noteworthy. The program offers
complete compatibility with Win95 and Windows 3.1. You can interact between any
combination of machines. If you use long filenames on your NT or Win95 machines,
LapLink automatically manages the names if you connect to a Windows 3.1 machine
and vice versa. If you route your connection over the Internet, LapLink offers
full data encryption for all traffic. Furthermore, LapLink uses a form of
adaptive compression based on your link connection speed to augment its
performance.
A Handy Tool
LapLink for Windows NT, 7.5 is a useful tool for transferring files between
systems. The remote control capabilities are extremely useful if you are an
administrator and need to access a user's remote system. Of course, other NT
utilities that duplicate LapLink's features are available. For instance, both
the remote control and integrated chat features come with Microsoft's Systems
Management Server (SMS). So if you already use BackOffice, purchasing LapLink
may not be worth the cost. However, LapLink performs remote control from a
laptop over a Remote Access Service (RAS) connection, which you can't do easily
with SMS Administrator. Therefore, even in environments where alternative tools exist, you may still find a use for LapLink.