Version Tested : 1.0.2.5
Compatibility : Windows 2000, XP, 2003, Vista, Linux and OS X

Description : Lan over the Internet. Create a virtual private network across the internet allowing you to act like a network and even play network games across the internet directly. You can password your networks so that only people you allow can join. The connection is direct after initial set up, so no server lag! Instant, Zero Configuration VPN!

This is a real gem from the makers of the earlier reviewed LogMeIn system, allowing users to access their home computer screen via a web browser. Hamachi does much more that just enabling you to play network games over the net, but it’s a really good use for it. Its widely used for gaming, so much so that people have even developed tools for enabling easy connection with games like Age of Empires 3, making direct network games across the Internet (although it wouldn’t work for me).

I confess, I tested this with a 1995 game of Yu-Gi-Oh, which makes me more retro than cool, but hey. It worked like a charm, especially because you could only play multiplayer over a network. There are websites devoted to the cataloging of Hamachi networks, from C&C 3 to Call of Duty 4. An increasing number of people are starting to use Hamachi to play their cracked downloaded games which can’t connect to the online servers, although downloading cracked games isn’t recommended at all!

To connect to a VPN (Virtual Private Network) using Hamachi, both ends must have the client installed. The host creates a network name, and the guest simply types in that name to connect to the network. Access can be restricted with a password if needs be, just to keep it truly private.

One feature I really did like, is the ability to chat using the client as well. If your running a gaming network, I can see how this would come in rather handy! This is done by right clicking and then clicking chat on a user in the network. The right click menu on a user also allows you to ping, block or evict them from the network. You can even set encryption and compression settings in the advanced menu.

Security is always an issue with networks of any kind. Hamachi promises total security with its mediation server, which uses RSA key-pair. The mediation sever is only used to set up an IP tunnel, so after your established, it looks rather secure. You can also use password protection, network locking, membership approval eviction and ban, and you can also add network admins. For those of you obsessed with security, they have a page devoted to it HERE, which they call their "Security Architecture." Grate if you speak network and encryption.

The GUI is really intuitive and easy to understand. Now that’s something I haven’t said in a while, but it’s true for this app. Naturally this is the free version. The Premium version doesn’t have much a normal user would want, however if you want to use this as a corporate networking tool, then here are some factors you may consider. Free version limits 64 networks and 16 users in each, doesn’t allow user ban or network locking, and only uses low bandwidth relays on their server. As a bonus to the Premium, you can set it to run as a Windows System Service, for always on always in use VPN’s. The price yearly is cheap compared to other kinds of networking solutions on a large scale.

Conclusion : When networking computers with internet access, think twice before going to buy cables. Although the service may not work beyond 2010 due to IP address issues, its a solution worth thinking about considering the cost of £/$ 0 for most uses. Really simple and easy to set up a network with friends and family to allow easy file sharing and network gaming across the web.

Website : https://secure.logmein.com/products/hamachi/list.asp
Download : Page - Direct
Size : 986 KB