Apple stuff - Mac, iPad, iphone
Thanks Mr Mixture, I thought that I was imagining it for a moment. Did Apple inform 'us' of this change or did it just happen along the way ?
Secondly......Would one of the experts here please be so kind to explain to me in simple terms what is the purpose of empdaemons and what do they do exactly ? Thankyou!
SHJ
Secondly......Would one of the experts here please be so kind to explain to me in simple terms what is the purpose of empdaemons and what do they do exactly ? Thankyou!
SHJ
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Did Apple inform 'us' of this change or did it just happen along the way ?
empdaemons
A daemon in a computing sense is a background process. Traditionally the processes end with the letter d to reflect this (e.g. sshd).
They do a variety of useful things on a Mac, e.g. whenever you print stuff, cupsd takes care of that (point your web browser to localhost:631 .... cupsd will say hello ! ), launchd takes care of startup processes etc. etc.
Therefore my guess is that an empdaemon is something along those lines ? But let us know the context of the question as it's not immediately clear.
Thanks for the answers. When using the internet, just reading a basic webpage I noticed the router lights flickering away like crazy and wondered what it was, so checked the processes and there at the top using 20.3% was 'empdaemon' and after googling it (and not being any the wiser) decided to ask here 
I'm curious because it was obviously doing some communicating with..whom/whatever and as I was just reading a static text page there seemed no reason to be a busy bee working hard in the background, especially for a few minutes.
SHJ
I'm curious because it was obviously doing some communicating with..whom/whatever and as I was just reading a static text page there seemed no reason to be a busy bee working hard in the background, especially for a few minutes.SHJ
empdaemon would appear to be associated with Elmedia Player. CPU usage doesn't equate to download activity & elpdaemom appears to be a known CPU hog so is probably just sitting sucking up cycles.
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As a new convert to Mac (two weeks now, and, Man, it feels GREAT) there are lots of things to learn about how to use it, and to get the Microshyster out of my brain.
All in all the Apple and Mac side of everything works really well, and I have no issues with anything. Out of the box it just works, and really well (I can't compare with what went before such as Snow Leopard and so on) but Lion is working for me.
The problems come when I try to use Microsoft Office 2011 for Mac. It all looks good when you spark it up, but then it starts playing silly beggars. For example when I imported contacts from the old Outlook contacts, and added some birthdays to the contact cards. I expected to see them in the calendar, but not so lucky. So I added a 'reminder' which showed the birthdays in the calendar, but all a day early. I think the problem was a difference between the computer's time zone (I am Z+3 at the moment, and the default time zone in the appointment card). But even turning time zone off didn't help. So after several wasted hours I gave up on Outlook. ICal works well though.
The reason for trying to make Outlook work is that I have (ducks to avoid flack for being stupid) a Windows Phone 7... Live and learn: windows phone 6 was pretty good: the assumption that 7 would be better was just plain wrong. I don't think that wp7 works with Mac at all: I am not too bothered.
I hope to be able to contribute her at least a little bit, and thanks to all have left some ideas already!
All in all the Apple and Mac side of everything works really well, and I have no issues with anything. Out of the box it just works, and really well (I can't compare with what went before such as Snow Leopard and so on) but Lion is working for me.
The problems come when I try to use Microsoft Office 2011 for Mac. It all looks good when you spark it up, but then it starts playing silly beggars. For example when I imported contacts from the old Outlook contacts, and added some birthdays to the contact cards. I expected to see them in the calendar, but not so lucky. So I added a 'reminder' which showed the birthdays in the calendar, but all a day early. I think the problem was a difference between the computer's time zone (I am Z+3 at the moment, and the default time zone in the appointment card). But even turning time zone off didn't help. So after several wasted hours I gave up on Outlook. ICal works well though.
The reason for trying to make Outlook work is that I have (ducks to avoid flack for being stupid) a Windows Phone 7... Live and learn: windows phone 6 was pretty good: the assumption that 7 would be better was just plain wrong. I don't think that wp7 works with Mac at all: I am not too bothered.
I hope to be able to contribute her at least a little bit, and thanks to all have left some ideas already!
Not sure if this helps, but when I went from Windows to Mac using both 'Outlooks' you had to convert everything to a pst file before Mac outlook would read it. This included calender events and contacts At the time I was using outlook 2008 for Mac and now I use outlook 2011 and transferred everything without a problem.
Maybe this link might help
Import a .pst file from Outlook for Windows
Maybe this link might help
Import a .pst file from Outlook for Windows
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When I create events in Outlook on my work PC, sorry I don't have Office on a Mac to compare, but the reminders for events are always earlier than the event itself. For meetings at specific times, the default is a reminder 15 minutes before. An all day event, like a birthday, the default reminder period is 18 hours before the event.
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Anybody using Ipad SSL VPN with RDP?
I am looking at a Sonicwall TZ100 router which does SSL VPN too.
This is to replace some Draytek 2900 routers which do PPTP VPN only.
Sonicwall do not reply to questions, except via their forum and the access to that is done using a product serial number
Their FAQ says
>Overview / Scenario:
>
>User will connect to the SonicWALL SSL-VPN portal from IPad and tries to launch bookmarks like RDP, VNC, fileshare, Citrix...etc, but will fail to connect. Generally, all MAC Desktops or Laptops use Java as they do not provision ActiveX component on their browsers. In this case of IPad, Apple does not support Java and hence we get an error while trying to access any of the services which is mentioned above. The access will be limited only to URL resources.
>
>Again, please do note that Apple DOES NOT provision Java on IPad and since there is no alternative, we will not be able to launch the above-mentioned services.
>
>Workaround/Resolution: Not Available as Apple does not support Java on IPad.
I do not understand what that means.
At the simplest, a VPN gives you (at the client) a network connection (an IP).
Applications like RDP (I am interested only in RDP, or also PC/Anywhere if the client is a windoze XP laptop) just connect to that IP.
What does lack of Java got to do with that?
If one could not use RDP with the Ipad SSL VPN, what is the point of products like this (being an IOS developer they do not do much replying either ).
If the Ipad SSL VPN does not provide a straight "local network" IP, then almost nothing will be able to use it.
This is to replace some Draytek 2900 routers which do PPTP VPN only.
Sonicwall do not reply to questions, except via their forum and the access to that is done using a product serial number
Their FAQ says
>Overview / Scenario:
>
>User will connect to the SonicWALL SSL-VPN portal from IPad and tries to launch bookmarks like RDP, VNC, fileshare, Citrix...etc, but will fail to connect. Generally, all MAC Desktops or Laptops use Java as they do not provision ActiveX component on their browsers. In this case of IPad, Apple does not support Java and hence we get an error while trying to access any of the services which is mentioned above. The access will be limited only to URL resources.
>
>Again, please do note that Apple DOES NOT provision Java on IPad and since there is no alternative, we will not be able to launch the above-mentioned services.
>
>Workaround/Resolution: Not Available as Apple does not support Java on IPad.
I do not understand what that means.
At the simplest, a VPN gives you (at the client) a network connection (an IP).
Applications like RDP (I am interested only in RDP, or also PC/Anywhere if the client is a windoze XP laptop) just connect to that IP.
What does lack of Java got to do with that?
If one could not use RDP with the Ipad SSL VPN, what is the point of products like this (being an IOS developer they do not do much replying either
).If the Ipad SSL VPN does not provide a straight "local network" IP, then almost nothing will be able to use it.
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Buying I-Pad in the USA
I am just about to holiday in Florida and I am going to treat myself to an I-Pad2 for $499 (£325ish). Does anyone know if the $499 is a walk out the door price, or are taxes added???????
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IO540,
SSL VPN products use java/active-x tools in order to enforce endpoint security.
That is, requirements that sysadmin specifies prior to allowing access to resources (e.g. anti-virus software present etc.).
Surely you've read the manual for your aventail box ? The above is a basic operating concept.
The obvious work-around to your problem is to configure your normal packet-filter / proxy firewall to allow the RDP port. Ensuring of course that you take appropriate security precautions, as RDP exposed directly to the outside world is not recommended (and there is a virus doing the rounds at the moment that exploits this fact, even if it does somewhat rely on dictionary attacks).
Second option might be to switch vendors and get a Juniper box instead (see YouTube demos of Junos Pulse etc).
SSL VPN products use java/active-x tools in order to enforce endpoint security.
That is, requirements that sysadmin specifies prior to allowing access to resources (e.g. anti-virus software present etc.).
Surely you've read the manual for your aventail box ? The above is a basic operating concept.
The obvious work-around to your problem is to configure your normal packet-filter / proxy firewall to allow the RDP port. Ensuring of course that you take appropriate security precautions, as RDP exposed directly to the outside world is not recommended (and there is a virus doing the rounds at the moment that exploits this fact, even if it does somewhat rely on dictionary attacks).
Second option might be to switch vendors and get a Juniper box instead (see YouTube demos of Junos Pulse etc).
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The newer Draytek routers do SSL-VPN if you require (alongside PPTP/IPSec)
I have 1 Sonicwall as a legacy device at one of my customer sites. Can't wait to get rid of it - it may be reliable, but it's not great from a usage POV.
I have 1 Sonicwall as a legacy device at one of my customer sites. Can't wait to get rid of it - it may be reliable, but it's not great from a usage POV.
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as RDP exposed directly to the outside world is not recommended
If one cannot get the VPN up (e.g. lack of password) then one will not reach the internal network on which the RDP server is sitting, surely?
Are you saying there is an issue there, e.g. the Ipad is prone to connecting without the VPN being up?
That is certainly a problem in a normal "travelling laptop" scenario where you open a VPN to your office (e.g. to check your POP email securely) but if the VPN connection drops, the email client will happily carry on making the access without the VPN
With a browser one can force VPN-only operation.
The newer Draytek routers do SSL-VPN if you require (alongside PPTP/IPSec)
but it's not great from a usage POV.
To save the cost of a call, any idea how much?
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If you want to go upmarket a tad, the Fortigate products are very good.
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Sure, which is why one would run RDP only via a VPN.
If one cannot get the VPN up (e.g. lack of password) then one will not reach the internal network on which the RDP server is sitting, surely?
If VPN has been configured as your only way in, then that wil be your only way in.
Are you saying there is an issue there, e.g. the Ipad is prone to connecting without the VPN being up?
That is certainly a problem in a normal "travelling laptop" scenario where you open a VPN to your office (e.g. to check your POP email securely) but if the VPN connection drops, the email client will happily carry on making the access without the VPN
With a browser one can force VPN-only operation.
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tax is different from state to state, when I was in Seattle it was around 10% could be more or less, google will probably tell you.
I nearly bought one when I was there, but when you add the cost of a power adapter (£26) and you can't just take it back should it go wrong, didn't seem worth the £40 saving, yes I know it has a warranty, far easier to take it to the shop you purchased it from.
If you are looking at a 3G sim card one, they are locked to the provider, AT&T or Verizon, so another reason not to buy it.
some peripherals were cheaper, cases etc.
I nearly bought one when I was there, but when you add the cost of a power adapter (£26) and you can't just take it back should it go wrong, didn't seem worth the £40 saving, yes I know it has a warranty, far easier to take it to the shop you purchased it from.
If you are looking at a 3G sim card one, they are locked to the provider, AT&T or Verizon, so another reason not to buy it.
some peripherals were cheaper, cases etc.
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If VPN has been configured as your only way in, then that wil be your only way in.
1) Via any open ports (and then there has to be a machine on the internal LAN, on the port-forwarded IP, which does something with the packets, e.g. a web server on port 80)
2) Via a VPN (comment as above - e.g. an RDP server)
3) Via some way which hacks NAT. I don't know of any such method, but possibly one might get in via a port which was previously opened by some internal machine accessing some external resource.
That seems to be the default position, anyway.
With PC/Anywhere, some people opened up the two PC/A ports in their routers, and relied on the PC/A authentication etc for security. I have always thought that was a stupid idea, because a hacker could just forget PC/A and feed all kinds of malformed packets to that machine; all kinds of such hacks have been developed.
The iPad (or any other device) can only connect to what you have opened up on your network perimiter. Don't open up the VPN port and it can't connect to that either.
What I was getting at is the example I gave, where a VPN failure will result in the app trying to do plaintext logins (pop3, ftp, htaccess, etc) over an open network.
There is no easy way to stop that, because of the usually indeterminate way in which different apps fall back onto whatever network connection happens to be available.
If the RDP client on the Ipad can be forced to use only a VPN, that is OK, but what if not? VPNs are notoriously unreliable, especially on a GPRS/3G connection. The ither week I was in Greece, on a Cosmote 3G SIM card (2GB for 7 days), which disconnected you every few minutes. So the VPN will bomb after a few mins, and whatever app you are running over it may retry the login...