Here is an XML-RPC Server/Client pair with which you can trigger remote PCs to do almost anything. Anything at all for which you have written a script in advance. And almost anything which you dare to submit remotely via command line. Some example scripts (for testing & backup) are herewith provided.

All of that, plus it's encrypted. Mostly... The info-carrying method calls and data are at any rate. Not the outer TCP/IP or XML envelope tags.

Included is a port-forwarding CGI script which will allow your XML-RPC traffic slip unchallenged straight through most firewalls via HTTP on port 80 and/or enjoy full SSL encryption via HTTPS on port 433.

Fair warning, though. It's an all-powerful sledgehammer of potential self-destruction. Not in itself, but for the opportunities it opens up to you as the (mis-)user. Any accidents you cause shall be your own. Enough said...

Download link to script with examples