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I intend to use a small form factor PC with Windows 7 Professional installed as a network appliance attached directly to my customer's LAN without connecting a monitor, keyboard or mouse.

How should I configure the networking for my PC so that I can access it via say my laptop?

I figure that I can do it 2 ways.

  1. Attach my laptop to the PC using a crossover cable? Connect via RDP and configure networking.

  2. Configure an IP address on the PC before I deliver it to the customer place. At the customer's place, attach the PC to LAN and connect to the IP address which I previously configured from my laptop or from one of the customer's workstations.

I know the first way is doable, but is the second way possible? I'm sorry if this question sounds ridiculous - I am Delphi programmer but a novice on networking.

Finally, if possible, I hope to make the configuration process web based as I wouldn't like to reveal the fact that I am using Win7 Pro for the network appliance!

wizlog
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Joshua Lim
  • 271

2 Answers2

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Here are a couple of tools that might help you out:

TeamViewer: Allows you to remotely access a PC over the net.

TeamViewer screen shot

Synergy: Lets you share your mouse and keyboard between multiple computers on your desk. This won't share a monitor, but it's a good tool to have in your toolbox.

Image from Synergy site

braveterry
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Two additional options:

  • Bring a small keyboard/mouse/display with you for the initial setup
  • Request an IP you can use from the customer before installation, and configure it to use that IP in advance
Joel Coehoorn
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