Possible remote access + using software on local laptop?

[SomeItName]

Hi

I'm curious to know if the following is even possible. I do a lot of programming on vehicles but the vehicle always has to be at my shop. I'm using the obd port of the vehicle and the other side of the obd cable goes in to the laptops usb or ethernet.
Is it possible that when the obd cable is connected and hooked up to a latop that I can remotely take over and do my work with the all the software on my computer?

 

[Ralston18]

What do you mean by "computer" - a desktop?

If the connected device (laptop or desktop) has the necessary diagnostic software then it should work.

However, if you are considering using a desktop to remote into the laptop then yes. Provided that you have set up the laptop to accept remote access and that you can do so via your network.

 

[jarotech]

Hi, you can do that with a program name TeamViewer, you can take control remotely over the internet.

 

[SomeItName]

Hi

Thank you for your replies.

@Ralston18
With computer I mean a laptop.
The software I use is installed on my laptop which is approx. 50gb.
Lets say laptop 1 is mine and laptop 2 is somewhere across the world. Laptop 2 is connected with a vehicle through obd. For example If I want to read out the fault codes of the vehicle I want to use the software on laptop 1 and the car is connected through laptop 2.

@jarotech
If I use teamviewer the laptop which I remotely take over needs to have the software I use installed.

 

[jarotech]

You have to try TeamViewer to see if it will do what you want, but I think it will do, the program you use for the car could be on both laptop, you could read the informations from laptop 2 connected to the vehicle, and perform the task with the laptop 1 with the same program you use on the laptop 2.

 

[SomeItName]

If I understand correctly the software should be on both laptops?

 

[Ralston18]

I agree with jarotech.

If the distant laptop can do the obd diagnostics via the necessary software application and you can run that application remotely via TeamViewer (or some similar product) all should be good to go.

I would recommend some local testing where you first verify that the traveling laptop obd software works. Then that that same laptop is accessible and operational remotely nearby and then at farther distances.

In addition, document the process for the users on each end. Lots of factors involved and a "step-by-step" process will help with any necessary troubleshooting. Especially when the traveling laptop is far away and out of reach for you. You will need ways to determine where problems, if any, are occuring: all the way from the vehicle, the obd cable, the laptop, the communication channels, the software and the users. E.g., if you cannot get remote access to laptops obd software have another program you can try to run remotely.

 

[USAFRet]

If I understand correctly the software should be on both laptops?

You need the TeamViewer software on both laptops.
You need the OBD software only on the one connected to the car.

From the PC in your office, you connect to the laptop in the shop, which is connected to the car.
On your office PC, you see the laptop screen in a window, and you can control that PC just as if you were sitting at it.

 

[SomeItName]

The problem is that the software on my laptop is licensed and can't be used on another laptop.

 

[USAFRet]

The problem is that the software on my laptop is licensed and can't be used on another laptop.

It is still only being used on that original laptop.

Teamviewer only talks to the OS on the remote laptop. Your OBD software still runs only on that remote (in the shop) laptop.

Teamviewer is free. Try it.

 

[Ralston18]

So you need:

Test vehicle -------obd cable ---------> USB port on remote laptop (w/o licensed software) >>>>> Internet>>>>>> Office Router -----> Laptop (with licensed software) to diagnose.

Maybe something like this as long as you are not violating your software licensing.

http://www.usb-over-network.com/usb-over-network.html

 

[Alabalcho]

The problem is that the software on my laptop is licensed and can't be used on another laptop.

Check your "licensed application" - does it support *any* OBD reader, or said reader must be brand X, connected over USB?
I came into OBD game pretty late, so my reader is USB only, but if there is supported reader connected over serial (RS232) port, it would be much easier to "location shift" that reader to your PC.

 

[SomeItName]

@Raiston18
thank you for posting that link. That could be interesting.

@Alabalcho
I've got another device which only can be used with licensed software and that device is connected through lan.
The device:

The situation would be:
vehicle === obd cable == lan connection on laptop (no software) ==> internet ==> remote laptop with licensed software to diagnose

I was thinking should I do something with a vpn?

 

[USAFRet]

I see it as:

vehicle->OBD reader->laptop with OBD software->TeamViewer->LAN/ethernet->TeamViewer on other PC.

TeamViewer opens the desktop of the remote PC in a window on the office PC. You control it directly, just as if you were sitting at it. All software runs on that remote PC/laptop.

Given access, I could run your shop laptop from my desk here.

 

[Alabalcho]

@SomeItName,

This **could** work, but I doubt you can pull this with forum help. The computer at the shop must have two Ethernet cards (or a laptop with Ethernet port and WiFi internet connection), VPN server configured, and router configured. Your computer needs VPN client connected to that computer, and your diagnostic software.

Someone with proper Windows and networking skills can do that for probably a day, with all trial and error.
What's the idea behind all that - for you to sell a handful of OBD readers to shops, and you perform the diagnistcs?

 

[SomeItName]

No I'm not interested in selling obd readers. Some customers of mine (who have their garage) also have the ethernet obd reader but with very old software. Therefor I need to run it with my software.

 

[Ralston18]

Does the obd software permit data saves?

If so and if remote access is not viable, maybe the customer could send or otherwise transfer their diagnostic data to you to read and analyze via your software. Not as convenient maybe but could be simpler and more workable as long as the newer obd software uses the same data format and structure as the older obd software.

I.e., backwards compatible.