Remote
desktop is one of those wildly creative computer terms that
means exactly what it sounds like. Remote desktop allows you
to control the desktop — and, indeed, the entire contents
— of a computer from another machine entirely. You do
this using a sort of remote control, except that this remote
control is not a magic wand but a software application.
Remote
desktop is a software application that turns one computer
into the boss of another or a series of others. Remote desktop
is sometimes found as part of a suite of other administrative
applications; other times, remote desktop is its own entity,
doing nothing but what it’s supposed to do. Remote desktop
software is available for all computer platforms.
Microsoft
makes software that facilitates remote desktop, as does Apple.
The creative folks at Apple have made a standalone application
called Remote Desktop. You Linux folks will not be disappointed,
either, as remote desktop applications that run on Linux are
also commonly available.
Remote
desktop requires that the “master” and “slave”
computers be connected to the same network. This remote desktop
network can be wired or wireless. Wired networks can use direct
connections or connections through routers. Wireless networks
can be formed using routers or the Internet.
Advanced
security protocols are standard practice inclusions in remote
desktop software, especially when the network is a wireless
and/or Internet one. The latest versions of remote desktop
software have 128-bit encryption protocols. Older versions
might have protection of a lesser nature. If you are running
remote desktop software, even if your connection is direct
wired, you need to run advanced security protocols as well.
Not to do so is to invite piracy.
Once
the administrator has entered the correct password, the remote
desktop software enables that administrator to access the
target computer. Then, uploads, downloads, file transfers,
and software maintenance can take place. Indeed, software
maintenance is one of the most common uses of remote desktop
software. Often, the administrator will shut down a malfunctioning
software application or install a software upgrade using remote
desktop software. This saves the time that it would take the
administrator to physically insert a CD into the target computer
or to do a manual software upgrade download.
The
target computer in a remote desktop scenario is still able
to access all of its core functions. Many of these core functions,
including the main clipboard, can be shared between target
computer and administrator, however. Certain safety features
can be built into the remote desktop software protocols such
that the administrator is not able to delete or otherwise
alter files without the target user’s permission. One
other rather revolutionary thing that remote desktop software
can do is to allow the administrator to run an audio or video
application on a remote computer and have the sights and/or
sounds redirected to the administrator’s computer.
Get
started using Remote Desktop with Windows XP Professional
Imagine that you recently started a small business and are
trying to build your client base—salespeople out on
the road every day, working on getting new business. You don't
want your salespeople to be left without documents they need
while meeting with important clients. You can empower your
employees to have important data at their fingertips, at all
times.
Remote
Desktop, included with Windows XP Professional, enables you
to connect to your computer across the Internet from virtually
any computer, Pocket PC, or Smartphone. Once connected, Remote
Desktop gives you mouse and keyboard control over your computer
while showing you everything that's happening on the screen.
With Remote Desktop, you can leave your computer at the office
without losing access to your files, applications, and e-mail.
Your sales force will be able to access the latest pricing
sheet from on the road by using Remote Desktop in Windows
XP Professional.
To
use Remote Desktop
With Remote Desktop, you can connect to your work computer
from home and access all of your programs, files, and network
resources as though you were actually sitting in front of
your computer at work.
You
need three things to create a remote location:
1.
Microsoft Windows XP Professional must be installed on the
computer containing the files and programs that you want to
access from a remote computer. The computer must also be part
of a corporate network in which Remote Desktop connections
are permitted. This computer is known as the host.
2. The remote computer must be running Windows 95 or later.
This computer must also have the Remote Desktop Connection
client software installed. The remote computer is known as
the client.
3. Both computers must be connected to the Internet through
a VPN connection.
Note:
If you're not connecting to the host computer through a VPN,
you'll need to use the actual IP address of the host computer
instead of the computer name.
To set up the Remote Desktop, start with the host computer,
which in this example is your work computer.
1.
Verify that you are signed in as the administrator.
2. Click Start, click Control Panel, and then click Performance
and Maintenance.
3.
Click System.
4.
Click the Remote tab, select the Allow users to connect remotely
to this computer check box, and then click OK.
Next,
make sure you have Windows Firewall set up to allow exceptions.
1.
In the Control Panel, click Security Center.
2. Under Manage security settings for, click Windows Firewall.
3. Make sure the Don't allow exceptions check box is not selected.
4. Click the Exceptions tab, and verify that the Remote Desktop
check box is selected.
5.
Click OK, and then close the Windows Security Center window.
Your host computer is now set up to allow remote access.
You
will need the name of the host computer.
6. In Control Panel, click Performance and Maintenance, click
System, and then click the Computer Name tab.
7. Write down the full computer name, and then click OK.
8. Close Control Panel.
9. Leave this computer running, locked, and connected to the
corporate network with Internet access.
Connect your remote computer to the host computer
To connect your home computer, which is the client (or remote)
computer to your work (or host) computer, follow these steps:
1.
On your home computer, click Start, point to All Programs,
and then point to Accessories.
2. In the Accessories menu, point to Communications, and then
click Remote Desktop Connection.
3. In the Computer box, type the computer name of your host
computer, which you wrote down earlier.
4. Click Connect.
5. When the Log On to Windows dialog box appears, type your
user name, password, and domain (if required), and then click
OK.
The
Remote Desktop window opens, and you see the desktop settings,
files, and programs that are on your host computer, which
in this example is your work computer. Your host computer
remains locked, and nobody can access it without a password.
In addition, no one will be able to see the work you are doing
remotely.
To
end your Remote Desktop session:
1.
Click Start, and then click Log Off at the bottom of the Start
menu.
2. When prompted, click Log Off.
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