Windows Remotely log on to servers (but not Remote Desktop though)

[Duggle]

This would be a very common scenario: A workstation with multiple server PCs running VEP7. Each PC has its own screen and they are all controlled from the workstation using "Mouse Without Borders".

Every work session:

logon to each computer must be individually logged on with password entry.

OR

set each server to "autologin" and say goodbye to any shred of security.

The usual recipes assume you want a remote desktop which I definitely don't nor would many VEP7 users as having the desktop of the server on its own screen makes for great workflow.

I want it so that I only have to logon to the workstation and everything boots and operates as normal, but is also secure.

[Bill]

And Remote Desktop is the perfect solution. What's your problem with it? I can't imagine anything more inconvenient than having screen/keyboard/mouse for each system.

[GunnarC]

I use "Royal TS," which offers a tabbed interface where each server has its own tab. Royal TS can be configured to auto-logon each server without having the server keyboard/screen logged in. Very convenient, I would say.

[Duggle]

@Bill said:

And Remote Desktop is the perfect solution. What's your problem with it? I can't imagine anything more inconvenient than having screen/keyboard/mouse for each system.

The whole point is to use Sharemouse (I now prefer to use MS PowerToys:Mouse Without Borders) to control everything from one mouse and keyboard. The screens need to arrayed on stands so that you see them comfortably from one position. I have a 2x2 array so that the 4 screens are all within arms distance. The great advantage is that you can have gui's open on instruments and plugins and everything visible at a glance. This is quite a different UX from Remote Desktop. Everyone has different workflow, preferences, and requirements, of course.

[Duggle]

@GunnarC said:

I use "Royal TS," which offers a tabbed interface where each server has its own tab. Royal TS can be configured to auto-logon each server without having the server keyboard/screen logged in. Very convenient, I would say.

Looking at it now...

Would "Lite" work for a 3 server VEP7 setup do you think?

I think the remote logon while the local screen is locked is the same behaviour as Remote Desktop connection and not what I'm after, unfortunately.

It seems that what I'm after is unusual and not commonly supported or easily implemented.

[GunnarC]

@Duggle said:

@GunnarC said:

I use "Royal TS," which offers a tabbed interface where each server has its own tab. Royal TS can be configured to auto-logon each server without having the server keyboard/screen logged in. Very convenient, I would say.

Looking at it now...

Would "Lite" work for a 3 server VEP7 setup do you think?

I think the remote logon while the local screen is locked is the same behaviour as Remote Desktop connection and not what I'm after, unfortunately.

It seems that what I'm after is unusual and not commonly supported or easily implemented.

I use the Light version with one server. The limit is 10 connections for the Light version, so 3 servers would be fine. It is also limited to "1 document," which means one list of servers. I have never seen that as a limitation.

I don't know what you mean by the "remote logon while the local screen is locked" behavior. When I'm logged on using Royal TS, the screen on my server is locked. Isn't that what you want?

[Duggle]

So the workflow here is to use the monitor(s) attached to the server(s) to edit the plugins UI that are hosted on that server. So there is local logon for the each server necessary. What makes it ergonomic is "Mouse Without Borders" (DAW mouse and keyboard control all PCs) and being able to see everything at a glance with well set up multi monitor stand.

I've developed "remote login to local session" powershell scripts which I'm trialling at the moment. When I'm convinced they're robust I can post the details if anybody really wants this.