Comment on how to set up a remote managed node for mom
pezhore@infosec.pub 2 weeks ago
Speaking as someone who has recently taken on a far-remote (e.g. about 22 hour drive away) support for a MIL, the best thing you could do is set up a VPN.
- It works both ways (typically) so you can easily remote in to their system when they’re on the VPN for updates/troubleshooting
- it minimizes the hardware “on-site” at their location
- Depending on your VPN client, it can have an easy to use GUI, further lowering the barrier if your remote person is tech-inept
For me, I’m still on Plex with a very old lifetime account with my MIL using a dedicated user account - that access is over the Internet. The VPN is to provide access to Overseerr so that she can do things like request specific movies/TV shows without having to email/call.
It’s not perfect - one day I woke up to 26 seasons of “Into the Country”, but it works fairly well.
I sat down with her one day while visiting about a year or so ago and walked her through connecting to the VPN, then getting to the hosted site, then disconnecting from the VPN - basically running drills and making her take notes until she felt she could do it by herself.
nagaram@startrek.website 2 weeks ago
That’s not a bad call.
There’s fortunately pretty tech literate people at both locations. I can walk them through most of it with very little a long the lines of finger puppets and crayons.
pezhore@infosec.pub 2 weeks ago
We were visiting for about a week and I think it took three separate days, about 20 minutes each day before she felt comfortable doing the VPN stuff herself.
It was definitely painful, but if you’re patient, it’s doable.
Good luck with whichever option you choose!