In the wild with Route1's Mobi remote system, Part 2

NETWORK WORLD NEWSLETTER: KEITH SHAW ON WIRELESS COMPUTING
DEVICES
08/18/05
Today's focus: In the wild with Route1's Mobi remote system,
Part 2

Dear networking.world@gmail.com,

In this issue:

* Setting up the Route1 Mobi system is complex
* Links related to Wireless Computing Devices
* Featured reader resource
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This newsletter is sponsored by Nokia
Empower Your Mobile Enterprise

Nokia believes that business mobility will fundamentally change
the way work gets done-and for the better. To allow the entire
organization to get the most from this paradigm shift in
productivity, Nokia Enterprise Solutions focuses on delivering
increased efficiency through enhanced mobility. Learn more by
downloading this white paper today!
http://www.fattail.com/redir/redirect.asp?CID=110501
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WHAT IS EV-DO?

If you thought that being able to connect to the internet from
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providers have started offering it. For more on what EV-DO is,
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_______________________________________________________________

Today's focus: In the wild with Route1's Mobi remote system,
Part 2

By Keith Shaw

Last time, we discussed the benefits of Route1's Mobi system,
which includes hardware (the MobiBook Pro), software and a
service that lets users connect to their work desktop or
notebook remotely and securely. With the MobiBook, a 2.4-pound
device that can connect over a Wi-Fi or wide-area wireless
connection, we truly felt we could leave the desktop and
notebook at work (or at home on a secure VPN connection) and not
have to worry about the data out in the open.

Still, all was not punch and cookies. Setting up the system is
complex, involving a software installation on the host computer
(including the Microsoft .Net framework if you don't have that),
then subscribing to the MobiNET service with a series of
activation codes, logon passwords and authorization codes.

After the host application is installed, you then have to
connect with the MobiBook device and try to find the host
(again, exchanging certificates, passwords and other
authentication procedures - this is nothing if not secure). I
then had to go back to the host application, authorize the
remote device trying to activate itself to the host, and then
return to the MobiBook and connect.

Once everything was connected, I could see my notebook's Windows
desktop on the MobiBook device, and was able to get some work
done. Luckily, I was in the same room when I was activating
everything. If the end users with the MobiBook are remote, then
all this activation and setup will be a two-person job. One
person would need to be at the host device going through the
authorization process and the other remote person would be at
the MobiBook device trying to locate the host.

There are also some tradeoffs in using the MobiBook device. The
keyboard is smaller than a normal notebook keyboard, so touch
typists will type slower than normal, as well as make more typos
than normal. There is also a small delay in the time it takes to
type and when it shows up on the screen, noticeable lag but not
a deal-breaker. When I was Web surfing on the MobiBook and
watching the browser go to work on the notebook while in the
same room, the clicking actions and Web page load was
instantaneous. I really only noticed lag when using Microsoft
Word, or using Outlook to check my e-mail.

At first, we didn't use a mouse with the MobiBook, which meant
we had to discover new ways to use the stylus and touch-screen
to open files or e-mails, which normally is done through a mouse
double-click. Fortunately, the MobiBook Pro comes with a small
USB port (and cable) that let us connect our USB mini-mouse to
the system.

The screen resolution on our host system changed down to
800-by-600 pixels, in order to match the screen size and
resolution on the MobiBook device. Route1 officials say this is
done so users on the MobiBook won't have to scroll around the
desktop on their MobiBook. The only thing it really affected was
the look of photos. Although the Word application and e-mail
looked fine, we would be worried if we had to do some photo
editing or had an application that required the higher
resolution of the host computer. The resolution of the host
computer changed back to its original setting once I
disconnected the remote connection.

The bottom line was that once everything was installed,
activated and authorized, I was pleased with how the MobiBook
Pro device and Mobi system worked. It gave me access to all my
applications and data without requiring me to lug around a heavy
notebook. The security of the system, from the authorization,
certificate trading and the encrypted traffic, satisfied me that
everything was safe.

The MobiBook Pro costs about $1,600, with cellular data service
extra (about $80 per month on the unlimited data plans). The
company also offers a leasing plan - for $95 per month for three
years, which gets a MobiBook Pro, a three-year warranty, the
MobiNET service, a Sierra Wireless cellular data card (service
extra) and a Linksys Wi-Fi card.

The top 5: Today's most-read stories

1. Windows worm beginning to spread
<http://www.networkworld.com/nlmobile5425>

2. Cisco to juice 6500 switch
<http://www.networkworld.com/nlmobile5158>

3. Help Desk: Sniffing on a switch
<http://www.networkworld.com/nlmobile5426>

4. Zotob worm exploits Windows 2000 Plug and Play
<http://www.networkworld.com/nlmobile5427>

5. Google goes berserk
<http://www.networkworld.com/nlmobile5400>

Today's most-forwarded story:

Cisco to juice 6500 switch
<http://www.networkworld.com/nlmobile5162>

_______________________________________________________________
To contact: Keith Shaw

Keith Shaw is Senior Editor, Product Testing, at Network World.
In addition, he writes the " Cool Tools
<http://www.networkworld.com/columnists/cooltools.html> "
column, which looks at gizmos, gadgets and other mobile
computing devices.

You can reach Keith at <mailto:kshaw@nww.com>.
_______________________________________________________________
This newsletter is sponsored by Nokia
Empower Your Mobile Enterprise

Nokia believes that business mobility will fundamentally change
the way work gets done-and for the better. To allow the entire
organization to get the most from this paradigm shift in
productivity, Nokia Enterprise Solutions focuses on delivering
increased efficiency through enhanced mobility. Learn more by
downloading this white paper today!
http://www.fattail.com/redir/redirect.asp?CID=110500
_______________________________________________________________
ARCHIVE LINKS

Archive of the Wireless Computing Devices newsletter:
http://www.networkworld.com/newsletters/mobile/index.html

Keith Shaw's Cool Tools:
http://www.networkworld.com/columnists/cooltools.html
_______________________________________________________________
Anytime, anywhere networking in the wireless world

Learn about the rapidly changing world of wireless networks and
mobile devices, by tuning in to our webcast, "Trends and Best
Practices in Mobility Management."
http://www.fattail.com/redir/redirect.asp?CID=110150
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FEATURED READER RESOURCE
WIRELESS LANS BUYER'S GUIDE: THE GOODS ON 185 PRODUCTS

We've compiled the largest buyer's guide ever on wireless LAN
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