User:DanielRigal/LogMeIn

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LogMeIn
Developed by LogMeIn Inc
OS Target PC: Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X (beta)[1]
Local PC: Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X, Linux, Pocket PC, other (Java)
Genre Remote administration
License Commercial
Website www.logmein.com

LogMeIn is a Web-hosted service marketed by LogMeIn Inc. It is remote control software, which means that it enables the user to operate one computer from another computer, via the Internet.

Contents

[edit] Technology and business development

LogMeIn was developed by LogMeIn Inc of Woburn, Massachusetts formerly known as as 3amLabs Inc, founded in 2003 to market a remote access product called Remotely Anywhere modeled after competing software such as pcAnywhere from Symantec allowing the desktop view of a host computer to be manipulated from a client computer that is connected through a TCP/IP network. Remotely Anywhere uses a standard client-server architecture where the client must know the DNS name or IP address of the server in order to connect to it.

LogMeIn, first released in 200X, enlarged that software model by using the Internet for connectivity, protecting transmissions with high-security encryption and multiple passwords. By combining a Web-hosted subscription service with software installed on the host computer it became possible to access remote PCs without knowing their DNS names or IP addresses. Remote PCs maintain a registration with the server allowing them to be contacted without making an unsolicited incoming TCP/IP connection. For this reason, LogMeIn sessions can be passed through firewalls which restrict unsolicited connections.

LogMeIn's use of a hosted service to broker the connections between PCs is similar to that used by its main competetor, Citrix GoToMyPC, which currently leads the market for Web-hosted remote access[2]. As of August 2007, LogMeIn Inc claims 20 million users for its services[3], although it is not stated how many of these are for LogMeIn and how many for its other products. It is assumed that this figure includes users of the free service.

Support for remote control of various types of smart phones is currently under development[4].


[edit] Terminology

Because of its hosted service element, LogMeIn does not conform to a conventional client-server archetecture and hence the terms 'client' and 'server' are not used. Instead the PC which is being remotely controlled is referred to as the Target PC and the PC or device which is controlling it is referred to as the Local PC. When the term 'server' is used it refers to the server hosting the service which sets up connections between local and target PCs.

[edit] Security Issues

LogMeIn's ability to pass through corporate firewalls can be abused to represent an IT security risk. Once a connection is established, encrypted data can flow in both directions circumventing corporate monitoring and content filtering systems. Both an unauthorised Target PC or Local PC could present a risk.

LogMeIn Inc provides information and a free tool to enable system administrators to monitor and restrict the use of LogMeIn on their networks.[5]

[edit] Editions and features

LogMeIn is sold in four main editions: LogMeIn Free, LogMe In Pro, LogMeIn IT Reach and LogMeIn Rescue. LogMeIn allows remote access to a PC from an Internet-connected computer or wireless device running any of several operating systems. Software is installed and remote access is obtained by logging onto the LogMeIn Web site. There is also another "next-generation" edition, dubbed "LogMeIn Ignition".

LogMeIn Free and Pro are general purpose remote access products.

LogMeIn IT Reach is aimed at network administrators and can be used to proactively monitor a group of target PCs (typically servers) and alert the operator to any problems.

LogMeIn Rescue is aimed at technical support organisations who need to support remote PCs on a more ad-hoc basis. Unlike the other versions, the remote PCs are not permanently configured as target PCs and no LogMeIn software is installed, instead they download and run a bespoke version of the software when needed. This allows a single session of remote access from the support organisation. Users of the temporary target PC must interactively confirm that they wish to allow the remote access session.

LogMeIn Ignition is a portable edition, that may be installed on any device with flash memory. The procedure is very simple, plug in the flash drive and the software runs, enabling one-click access to all computers on the registered account.


[edit] Common features

[edit] Features of LogMeIn Pro

In addition to the common features:

  • file transfer for moving files between local and target PCs.
  • Remote Printing, supporting any printer configured on a host computer
  • Manangement console for accesing multiple target PCs.

[edit] Features of LogMeIn IT Reach

In addition to LogMeIn Pro:

  • Remote monitoring and reporting of the status of the target PCs.
  • Diagniostic Toolkit to assist in diagnosis of system problems in target PCs.

[edit] Features of LogMeIn Rescue

In addition to LogMeIn Pro:

  • Temporary one-off connections to remote PCs.
  • Built in instant messenger facility for communication with users of the target PC.
  • Diagniostic Toolkit to assist in diagnosis of system problems in target PCs.

[edit] Competing Products

Many competing products exist, including other Web-hosted services, and both commercial and free software. Some are listed below, under See also.

[edit] See also

Main competitiors:

Related technologies:

[edit] References

  1. ^ LogMeIn Free for Mac
  2. ^ Citrix Q4 2005 Earnings Conference Call Transcript (Jan 18 2006).
  3. ^ Company Overview
  4. ^ LogMeIn Announces First Web-based Remote Support Tool for Smartphones
  5. ^ LogMeIn Information for System Administrators


UNCOMMENT THE CATEGORIES WHEN READY TO GO LIVE!!!

DO WE NEED THE REVIEWS? THEY ESTABLISH NOTABILITY BUT ARE THEY "SPAMMY"? CAN THEY BE USED AS REFERENCES INSTEAD?

SOME GRIPES HERE. IT IS QUITE OLD. ARE ANY WORTH INCLUDING? http://www.computergripes.com/logmein.html

ARE ANY OF THESE USEFUL REFERENCES? http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/05_10/b3923032_mz006.htm http://www.productresearch.org/remoteaccess/ http://msmvps.com/blogs/shinder/articles/12268.aspx - backs up the security section

[edit] Reviews