In computing, the term remote desktop refers to a software or an OS feature allowing 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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In computing, the term remote desktop refers to a software or an OS feature allowing 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.
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 desk for technical troubleshooting of their customers. Windows XP, Vista, and Server 2003/2008 include Remote Desktop Services while Apple includes Screen Sharing but sells its Apple Remote Desktop. Various professional third-party, open source and freeware remote desktop applications exist which are cross-platform and work various versions of Windows, Mac, and UNIX/Linux/BSD.
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 and others use a kernel driver level to construct the remote desktop for transmission.
Since the advent of cloud computing, remote desktop software can now be housed on USB hardware devices, allowing users to connect the device to any online PC and recreate their desktop via a connection to the cloud. This model avoids the problem with remote desktop software, which depends on the user's primary computer being switched on at the time when the user wishes to access it remotely. The common name for USB devices with the capacity to remotely recreate a user's desktop is "secure portable office."
Comparison of remote desktop software
main: Comparison of remote desktop software
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
See also
- Comparison of remote desktop software
- Comparison of Java Remote Desktop projects
- Remote control software
- Desktop virtualization
