jd_programmer1
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Software to Monitor Computers in School Environment
We have a site license for a program called SynchronEyes (latest version here http://www2.smarttech.com/st/en-US/Products/SynchronEyes+Classroom+Management+Software/default.htm). This program is heavy on the bandwidth, though, and does not allow as many wireless clients as we would like. We are thinking about using some form of VNC server on the student computers and need a program to monitor them. Do you know of any free or low-cost programs that can monitor several VNC sessions at once?
We use a program called VNCon (http://vncon.chronetal.co.uk/), but it only allows 25 sessions to be shown on the screen at once, and they take up the entire screen, instead of appearing inside of a window. We are looking for something that puts the screens inside of a scrollable window, but allows a full-screen view as well.
Thanks!
We use a program called VNCon (http://vncon.chronetal.co.uk/), but it only allows 25 sessions to be shown on the screen at once, and they take up the entire screen, instead of appearing inside of a window. We are looking for something that puts the screens inside of a scrollable window, but allows a full-screen view as well.
Thanks!
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jjamstrong
I forgot to mention something. It is multiplatform, it's a good extra also
I use tightvnc its light weight in bandwidth and you can lock it so that can't see they are being accessed or be able to change the settings. But I am going to check out netsupport manager too. Always looking for the better program. :)
I recommend it... it has all those functionalities that you just mention plus much more. Try it out.
ASKER
@jjamstrong
This software looks very similar to the SynchronEyes product we're already using, along with Netop School6, which we've demo'd as well. A few questions, though: Is NetSupport Manager very bandwidth intensive? Have you run it across a wireless network? Or across VLANs? Lastly, how many users did you use it with at a time on a single subnet? Sorry to deluge you with quetions... Thanks!
This software looks very similar to the SynchronEyes product we're already using, along with Netop School6, which we've demo'd as well. A few questions, though: Is NetSupport Manager very bandwidth intensive? Have you run it across a wireless network? Or across VLANs? Lastly, how many users did you use it with at a time on a single subnet? Sorry to deluge you with quetions... Thanks!
ASKER
@dmathwizard
You mentioned that you use tightvnc, but did you use any other software on the administrative side? We'd like to view multiple screens at once (for an entire class), not one at a time. Thanks!
You mentioned that you use tightvnc, but did you use any other software on the administrative side? We'd like to view multiple screens at once (for an entire class), not one at a time. Thanks!
I see where your getting at ours was only used for repair and guidance. There was a content filter at the district office which is where the traffic was sent so I guess they saw no reason for monitoring.
ASKER
Yes, this is for a laptop class initiative at our school. Teachers often administer assignments and tests on the computers, so they at least need some way of monitoring the student computers to ensure that there is no cheating.
I'd like to use something lightweight (like VNC) that allows multiple screen viewing. Anyone have any other ideas?
I'd like to use something lightweight (like VNC) that allows multiple screen viewing. Anyone have any other ideas?
Well it all depends on what you want to do. If you just, for example want to monitor the computers it doesn't consume very much, but lets just say that you want to broadcast your screen to all of the users (lets just say 50) and on top of that transfer files, and other processes that require bandwidth, like web navigation and download, well yes it will consume a lot but not just the program, everything will.
You can download the demo and try it and see if it works for you. Like I said it is what worked for me and I have tried it on a network with almost 100 workstations with simultaneous connections of almost 50and it worked fine
You can download the demo and try it and see if it works for you. Like I said it is what worked for me and I have tried it on a network with almost 100 workstations with simultaneous connections of almost 50and it worked fine
ASKER
OK. I'm sorry for bugging you still, but were those 50 concurrent connections on a wired or wireless network?
I'll download this to try it, but the problem I have is actually testing it in a real-life situation - we can't install the trial and then ask the teachers to simply test the software for us... but we have no other way of running it with more than a few users at a time.
To everyone else - I doubt anyone besides these two experts are reading this, but if anyone knows of a way to use VNC, please let me know!
Thanks again.
I'll download this to try it, but the problem I have is actually testing it in a real-life situation - we can't install the trial and then ask the teachers to simply test the software for us... but we have no other way of running it with more than a few users at a time.
To everyone else - I doubt anyone besides these two experts are reading this, but if anyone knows of a way to use VNC, please let me know!
Thanks again.
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ASKER
Alright. Thanks for all of the detailed info - you've been great. I'll download the trial and give it a shot.
ASKER
Thanks again!
Ohh another thing. I think the trial version only lets you connect a certain amount of computers but if you want to try the full version I have. If you want, you can give me your email and I can send you the links to download it. ("It's just for trial porposes and if it works for you, you'll have to aquire it.")
ASKER
Alright. Is there a way to PM you my email address?
Send it to me here jordan.hunter@gmail.com