Remote desktop software
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In computing, the term remote desktop refers to a software or an OS feature allowing applications, often including graphical applications, to be run remotely on a server, while being displayed locally. Remote desktop applications have varying features. Some allow attaching to an existing user's session (i.e. a running desktop) and "remote controlling" it in front of the user's eyes. Taking over a desktop remotely is a form of remote administration.
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[edit] Overview
It can also be explained as remote control of a computer by using another device connected via the internet or another network. This is widely used by many computer manufacturers (DELL, HP etc.) and large businesses' help desks for technical troubleshooting of their customers' problems. Windows XP, Vista, and Server 2003/2008 include Remote Desktop Services; Apple includes Screen Sharing with Mac OS X but sells its Apple Remote Desktop separately. There are various professional third-party, open source and freeware remote desktop applications, some of which are cross-platform across various versions of Windows, Mac, and UNIX/Linux/BSD.
Typical commercial programs used for controlling Windows PCs include LogMeIn, GoToMyPC, Anyplace control, Radmin, TeamViewer, NetSupport Manager, pcAnywhere, I'm InTouch and Laplink. For Macintosh computers, there is Apple Remote Desktop and Timbuktu (Timbuktu also works under Windows). There is also open source remote control software such as many variants of VNC (Virtual Network Computing), and FreeNX. Another solution is a Web control, where you can use your computer anywhere and any platform, is a FogCreek-like solution.
[edit] How it works
When it works the controlling computer displays a copy of the image received from the controlled computer's display screen. The copy is updated on a timed interval, or when a change on screen is noticed by the remote control software. The software on the controlling computer transmits its own keyboard and mouse activity to the controlled computer, where the remote control software implements these actions. The controlled computer then behaves as if the actions were performed directly at that computer. In many cases the local display and input devices can be disabled so that the remote session cannot be viewed or interfered with.
The quality, speed and functions of any remote desktop protocol are based on the system layer where the graphical desktop is redirected. Software such as PC Anywhere, VNC and others use the top software layer to extract and compress the graphic interface images for transmission. Other products such as Microsoft RDP, Graphon GO-Global and others use a kernel driver level to construct the remote desktop for transmission.
[edit] Uses
A main use of remote desktop software is remote administration. However, remote desktop software can also be used for "headless computers": instead of each computer having its own monitor, keyboard, and mouse, or using a KVM switch, a monitor, keyboard and mouse can be attached to one computer with remote control software, and headless computers controlled by it. The duplicate desktop mode is also useful for user support and education. Remote control software combined with telephone communication can be nearly as helpful for novice computer-users as if the support staff were actually there.
Since the advent of cloud computing remote desktop software can be housed on USB hardware devices, allowing users to connect the device to any PC connected to their network or the Internet and recreate their desktop via a connection to the cloud. This model avoids one problem with remote desktop software, which requires the local computer to be switched on at the time when the user wishes to access it remotely. (It is possible with a router with direct VPN support such as a Draytek Vigor, and Wake on LAN equipment, to establish a virtual private network (VPN) connection with the router over the Internet if not connected to the LAN, switch on a computer connected to the router, then connect to it.) The common name for USB devices with the capacity to remotely recreate a user's desktop is "secure portable office."[1]
[edit] Remote desktop products
It is available with three models: hosting service, software and appliance.
[edit] Remote desktop protocols
The main remote desktop protocols in use are:
- Virtual Network Computing (VNC) - a cross-platform protocol
- Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) - a Windows-specific protocol featuring audio and remote printing
- Remote Frame Buffer Protocol (RFB) - A framebuffer level cross-platform protocol that VNC is based on.
- Apple Remote Desktop Protocol (ARD) - Original protocol for Apple Remote Desktop on Mac OS X machines.
- NX technology (NX) - a newer cross-platform protocol featuring audio and remote printing
- Independent Computing Architecture (ICA) - a proprietary protocol designed by Citrix Systems
- X Window System (X11) - a well-established cross-platform protocol mainly used for displaying local applications, but can also be used remotely
- Rapid X Protocol (RXP) - the Graphon GO-Global protocol to communicate between the host and the client
- Appliance Link Protocol (ALP) - a Sun Microsystems-specific protocol featuring audio (play and record), remote printing, remote USB, accelerated video
- Proxy Protocol (PRX) - a proprietary protocol for remote control, remote WMI, web conferencing, and screen recording, developed by Proxy Networks, Inc., formerly a product division of Juniper Networks, Inc.
[edit] See also
- Comparison of remote desktop software
- Comparison of Java Remote Desktop projects
- Desktop virtualization
[edit] Notes
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