Remote desktop tools allow you to diagnose and manage problems on other computers without having physical access to them. While some of the remote access applications only let you view the screen of another computer, others also let you control it from a remote location, making it easy to get assistance from others when you are in need, or provide the same service to others. A recommenced alternative to using Screens Connect in order to make your PC reachable remotely is No-IP. Please refer to the Making your computer reachable remotely without Screens Connect article to learn how. Selecting a Display. In order to select a particular display on your computer, you need to specify a different port number. Another good option to access your PC’s files remotely is setting up a VPN server on your computer. Using that VPN, you can access your computer files just as you would do on your local network. When configured properly, VPN makes your remote computer appear as a part of the local network and allows access to all the local file shares.
Virtual Network Computing logo
In computing, Virtual Network Computing (VNC) is a graphical desktop-sharing system that uses the Remote Frame Buffer protocol (RFB) to remotely control another computer. It transmits the keyboard and mouse events from one computer to another, relaying the graphical-screen updates back in the other direction, over a network.[1]
VNC is platform-independent – there are clients and servers for many GUI-based operating systems and for Java. Multiple clients may connect to a VNC server at the same time. Popular uses for this technology include remote technical support and accessing files on one's work computer from one's home computer, or vice versa.
VNC was originally developed at the Olivetti & Oracle Research Lab in Cambridge, United Kingdom. The original VNC source code and many modern derivatives are open source under the GNU General Public License.
VNC in KDE 3.1
There are a number of variants of VNC[2] which offer their own particular functionality; e.g., some optimised for Microsoft Windows, or offering file transfer (not part of VNC proper), etc. Many are compatible (without their added features) with VNC proper in the sense that a viewer of one flavour can connect with a server of another; others are based on VNC code but not compatible with standard VNC.
VNC and RFB are registered trademarks of RealVNC Ltd. in the US and some other countries.
History[edit]
The Olivetti & Oracle Research Lab (ORL)[3] at Cambridge in the UK developed VNC at a time when Olivetti and Oracle Corporation owned the lab. In 1999, AT&T acquired the lab, and in 2002 closed down the lab's research efforts.
Developers who worked on VNC while still at the AT&T Research Lab include:[4]
Following the closure of ORL in 2002, several members of the development team (including Richardson, Harter, Weatherall and Hopper) formed RealVNC in order to continue working on open-source and commercial VNC software under that name.
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The original GPLed source code has fed into several other versions of VNC. Such forking has not led to compatibility problems because the RFB protocol is designed to be extensible. VNC clients and servers negotiate their capabilities with handshaking in order to use the most appropriate options supported at both ends.
As of 2013, RealVNC Ltd claims the term 'VNC' as a registered trademark in the United States and in other countries.[5]
Etymology[edit]
The name Virtual Network Computer/Computing (VNC) originated with ORL's work on a thin client called the Videotile, which also used the RFB protocol. The Videotile had an LCD display with pen input and a fast ATM connection to the network. At the time, network computer was commonly used as a synonym for a thin client; VNC is essentially a software-only (i.e. virtual) network computer.[citation needed]
Operation[edit]
In the normal method of operation a viewer connects to a port on the server (default port: 5900). Alternatively (depending on the implementation) a browser can connect to the server (default port: 5800). And a server can connect to a viewer in 'listening mode' on port 5500. One advantage of listening mode is that the server site does not have to configure its firewall to allow access on port 5900 (or 5800); the duty is on the viewer, which is useful if the server site has no computer expertise and the viewer user is more knowledgeable.
The server sends small rectangles of the framebuffer to the client. In its simplest form, the VNC protocol can use a lot of bandwidth, so various methods have been devised to reduce the communication overhead. For example, there are various encodings (methods to determine the most efficient way to transfer these rectangles). The VNC protocol allows the client and server to negotiate which encoding they will use. The simplest encoding, supported by all clients and servers, is raw encoding, which sends pixel data in left-to-right scanline order, and after the original full screen has been transmitted, transfers only rectangles that change. This encoding works very well if only a small portion of the screen changes from one frame to the next (as when a mouse pointer moves across a desktop, or when text is written at the cursor), but bandwidth demands get very high if a lot of pixels change at the same time (such as when scrolling a window or viewing full-screen video).
VNC by default uses TCP port 5900+N,[6][7] where N is the display number (usually :0 for a physical display). Several implementations also start a basic HTTPserver on port 5800+N to provide a VNC viewer as a Java applet, allowing easy connection through any Java-enabled web-browser. Different port assignments can be used as long as both client and server are configured accordingly. A HTML5 VNC client implementation for modern browsers (no plugins required) exists too.[8]
Although possible even on low bandwidth, using VNC over the Internet is facilitated if the user has a broadband connection at both ends. However, it may require advanced NAT, firewall and router configuration such as port forwarding in order for the connection to go through. Users may establish communication through Virtual Private Network (VPN) technologies to ease usage over the Internet, or as a LAN connection if VPN is used as a proxy, or through a VNC repeater (useful in presence of a NAT).[9][10]
Xvnc is the Unix VNC server, which is based on a standard X server. To applications, Xvnc appears as an X 'server' (i.e., it displays client windows), and to remote VNC users it is a VNC server. Applications can display themselves on Xvnc as if it were a normal X display, but they will appear on any connected VNC viewers rather than on a physical screen.[11] Alternatively, a machine (which may be a workstation or a network server) with screen, keyboard, and mouse can be set up to boot and run the VNC server as a service or daemon, then the screen, keyboard, and mouse can be removed and the machine stored in an out-of-the way location.
In addition, the display that is served by VNC is not necessarily the same display seen by a user on the server. On Unix/Linux computers that support multiple simultaneous X11 sessions, VNC may be set to serve a particular existing X11 session, or to start one of its own. It is also possible to run multiple VNC sessions from the same computer. On Microsoft Windows the VNC session served is always the current user session.[citation needed]
Users commonly deploy VNC as a cross-platform remote desktop system. For example, Apple Remote Desktop for Mac OS X (and more recently, 'Back to My Mac' in 'Leopard' - Mac OS X 10.5) interoperates with VNC and will connect to a Unix user's current desktop if it is served with x11vnc, or to a separate X11 session if one is served with TightVNC. From Unix, TightVNC will connect to a Mac OS X session served by Apple Remote Desktop if the VNC option is enabled, or to a VNC server running on Microsoft Windows.[12]
In July 2014 RealVNC published a Wayland developer preview.[13][14]
Security[edit]
By default, RFB is not a secure protocol. While passwords are not sent in plain-text (as in telnet), cracking could prove successful if both the encryption key and encoded password were sniffed from a network. For this reason it is recommended that a password of at least 8 characters be used. On the other hand, there is also an 8-character limit on some versions of VNC; if a password is sent exceeding 8 characters, the excess characters are removed and the truncated string is compared to the password.
UltraVNC supports the use of an open-source encryption plugin which encrypts the entire VNC session including password authentication and data transfer. It also allows authentication to be performed based on NTLM and Active Directory user accounts. However, use of such encryption plugins makes it incompatible with other VNC programs. RealVNC offers high-strength AES encryption as part of its commercial package, along with integration with Active Directory. Workspot released AES encryption patches for VNC. According to TightVNC,[15] TightVNC is not secure as picture data is transmitted without encryption. To circumvent this, it should be tunneled through an SSH connection (see below).
VNC may be tunneled over an SSH or VPN connection which would add an extra security layer with stronger encryption. SSH clients are available for most platforms; SSH tunnels can be created from UNIX clients, Microsoft Windows clients, Macintosh clients (including Mac OS X and System 7 and up) – and many others. There are also freeware applications that create instant VPN tunnels between computers.
An additional security concern for the use of VNC is to check whether the version used requires authorization from the remote computer owner before someone takes control of their device. This will avoid the situation where the owner of the computer accessed realizes there is someone in control of their device without previous notice.
See also[edit]References[edit]
External links[edit]
Retrieved from 'https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Virtual_Network_Computing&oldid=983184018'
Need to access your work computer from home, or your personal computer from the road? Here’s how you can connect to a remote computer with Splashtop.
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What Devices and Platforms Does Splashtop Support?
Splashtop supports remote access to computers running on Windows and Mac operating systems.
As for devices you can use to remote from, you can use any Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, and Chromebook device to access your remote computer.
How Does Splashtop Remote Access To Computers Work?
Splashtop works by installing a streamer app on the computers that you will need access to. The streamer application can be set to always run in the background when your computer is on. The streamer app will be tied to your Splashtop account. As long as the computer and streamer app is running, you’ll be able to initiate a remote connection to your computer at any time.
While on another device, you’ll be able to access the remote computer with the Splashtop Business app or by using a Chrome web browser. The Splashtop Business app is available for free for Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android devices (you can get the mobile app from the iTunes store or the Google Play store). With a Chrome web browser you can use the Splashtop Business Chrome Extension to remote access your computer.
By using the Splashtop Business app and Splashtop Streamer, you’re able to easily start a remote session with just a couple clicks! No need to memorize computer names or the ip address. All you need to do is open the Splashtop app and click connect to access your computer.
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Once signed up, you can download the Splashtop Streamer on the computers you want to remotely access and the Splashtop Business app on the devices you’ll be remoting from. Keep in mind with Splashtop Business Access you can remote from an unlimited number of devices!
How Do I Start A Remote Access Session To My Computer?
Again, make sure you have the Splashtop Streamer installed on the computer you want to remote access. Once you’ve done that, here’s how you can remote access your computer:
Remote Access Using the Splashtop Business App
On your computer, tablet or smartphone, open the Splashtop Business app You should automatically be logged into your Splashtop account after setting up the app the first time. When the app opens, you’ll see a list of your remote computers that have the Splashtop Streamer installed.
Simply click on the computer you want to connect to and that’s it! In seconds you’ll see your remote computer screen pop up on your local device. From there you’ll have full control of your computer.
Remote Access Using a Web Browser
Open a Google Chrome web browser. Make sure you have the free Splashtop Business Chrome Extension installed. Open the extension and make sure you’re logged into your Splashtop account.
From there, it’s just as easy as it is with the Splashtop Business app. Simply select your desired computer and click to start remote accessing. You’ll be instantly connected to your remote pc.
Why Splashtop is the Best Remote Access Software
Having Splashtop means never feeling disconnected from your computer again. Remote access gives you the freedom to work from home or anywhere in the world.
Splashtop gives you high definition quality, so you’ll see your screen in real time and feel like you’re sitting in front of it, even while using an iPad, iPhone, or Android device. Plus, you can have access to many great features such as drag and drop file transfer, screen sharing, and more.
Splashtop also keeps your connections secure with 256-bit AES encryption, two-factor authentication, and more security features. Your information will be safe with Splashtop, and you’ll be in compliance with your company’s policies.
Splashtop Business Access gives you unlimited access to your computers. No session time limits, and no limits to the number of times you can access your computer. You’ll also get to remote from an unlimited number of devices.
When comparing Splashtop Business Access to other remote desktop software products, there’s no question that Splashtop offers the best value. When comparing packages with like-for-like features, Splashtop can save you hundreds, even thousands of dollars a year when compared to LogMeIn, TeamViewer, and GoToMyPC.
Splashtop Business Access starts at just $5 per month. Compare that to LogMeIn Pro which starts at $30 per month and TeamViewer which starts at $49 per month*. (TeamViewer does have a free version however your sessions could be blocked if suspected of commercial use. You can see the full comparison between Splashtop and TeamViewer here).
Splashtop is also a great alternative to VPN and Microsoft RDP. You’ll get more reliable and secure remote access to your computer with Splashtop.
Start your free trial now and try remote accessing your computer now!
How To Access My Home Network Remotely
Need to remote access computers for support purposes? Read more about Splashtop Remote Support for unattended access or Splashtop SOS for attended, on-demand remote support.
Screens 4 4 – Access Your Computer Remotely Access Another
* Source: TeamViewer US web site $49/month ($588/yr) list price for Single User plan, Feb 2019.
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