VNC to a Mac from PC - Security Type?

Question

VNC to a Mac from PC - Security Type?

Hi,

I'm trying to VNC to my Mac (which I can 'screen share' into from another Mac) from a laptop running Vista.

I have tried several PC VNC utilities (VNC Viewer, EchoVNC, TightVNC) but they all fail with similar error messages about not matching the Macs security type.

Am I mis-understand how this works? Should I be able to VNC to a Mac that I can screen share to without having to load any other software on the Mac?

(Mac on 10.6.4)

Many Thanks for any pointers.

MacBook Air, Mac OS X (10.6.4)

Posted on Aug 8, 2010 10:51 AM

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Answer 1

Meherally

Level 4

1,123 points

Aug 10, 2010 1:15 AM in response to Martin Harrison

Not sure if there is a way to do that without installing additional software. However, compared to VNC method, I would try using teamviewer. This is a nice easy software for screen sharing and trouble shooting another computer. It can be found here http://www.teamviewer.com

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Answer 2

Aug 10, 2010 1:46 AM in response to Martin Harrison

Hi,

just to be sure: Did you check the checkbox to allow VNC connections? Just enabling Screen Shraring does not automatically enable VNC as well.

Björn

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Answer 3

Aug 10, 2010 11:27 AM in response to Martin Harrison

create an ssh session first. once your connected via SSH you can VNC.

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Answer 4

badness

Level 1

11 points

Aug 10, 2010 11:38 AM in response to DonnieBlaze

Are you attempting to connect to your Mac from outside of your network? If so, make sure you have ports forwarded properly. The VNC connection should work as long as you have enabled the Mac to receive such connection. What is the exact security message you are receiving with a failed connection attempt?

Message was edited by: badness

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Answer 5

BobHarris

Level 9

55,403 points

Aug 10, 2010 11:50 AM in response to Björn Herrmann

I suspect Björn Herrmann might be onto something asking if allow VNC access and a VNC password has been specified

System Preferences -> Sharing -> Screen Sharing -> Computer Settings -> VNC viewers may control screen with password: xxxxxxxxxx

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Answer 6

Aug 10, 2010 4:41 PM in response to Martin Harrison

Hi Guys,

Thanks for the help & suggestions with this one. *Really appreciated*.

Björn - Yes, setting that flag has worked and enabled me to access the Mac from a PC just like Mac to Mac screen sharing. *Many Thanks.*

Just to clarify what I am trying to do in case it helps anyone else with the same problem or anyone can suggest a better/easier way. (I am trying to improve my knowledge of Port Forwarding and Route Tables as I think this may be the key).

I have a local network with several macs and PCs.

One particular local Mac I want to access via Mac to Mac screen share has an IP address 192.168.1.102. One of the local PC's has an IP address of 192.168.1.8.

This all works fine when I am on that local network and I access that Mac from the other Macs using screen sharing and the PC via remote desktop on the macs.

However, I want to be able to access the network remotely while I am away with my Macbook Air using screen share to the mac on 192.168.1.102 and remote desktop to the PC on 192.168.1.8.

I have purchased and configured a Cisco/Linksys RVL200 router for the local network as it supports SSL VPN.

I am now working remotely and trying to access the Mac on 192.168.1.102 and PC on 192.168.1.8 ideally from the Macbook Air and, as a backup device, from a Vista laptop.

Using the vista laptop I can connect via https://<external IP address> and the RVL200 creates a tunnel allowing me to ping & remote desktop to the PC on 192.168.1.8 and now access the Mac via TightVNC viewer.

I would like to acheive this with the Mac, and although I can get it to connect via the VPN web client (via Firefox) and create a tunnel, I am not able to either ping/remote desktop to the PC on 192.168.1.8 or use screen sharing to the Mac on 192.168.1.102.

From what I have been able to understand so far, I think this may be to do with the route table on the Macbook Air? My problem is that I don't understand how it should be configured and the details about this on that I've found on the web have been too technical.

The bit I'm struggling with is that if the remote network DHCP is issuing IP addresses in the range 192.168.1.2 onwards, how do I 'tell' the Mac that when I key 192.168.1.8 I intend for it to go to via the VPN to the PC & Macs? I've seen mention of a /24 at the end of the IP address but I've not yet found an explanation of that reference or whether it is related to this problem.

Thanks for any further pointers or recommendations where I can learn more about this subject.

Martin

(My Mac is on 10.6.4 and RVL200 is on 1.1.12.1)

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