Remote PC Access Software
May 9th, 2010Remote PC access software can be thought of as the puppeteer of the computer world. It typically refers to an application which can be run on a server, but displayed and controlled on a local desktop. It also may refer to applications which can “take control” of a remote desktop from a local desktop. These applications do not all have the same features. Remote controlling is one such feature that isn’t available on all.
Another way to present the software is the control of one computer over a network such as the internet by another device on that network or an attached network. Large companies routinely use such software, for instance, to troubleshoot clients’ computers remotely, thus saving time and money. Some advanced desktop and many server versions come standard with remote access and control software. These applications are plentiful in the open source world, and also through professional third-party software developers.
It works roughly like this. The computer doing the controlling displays a copy of whatever appears on the controlled computer’s display screen. According to timed intervals, the copy is updated, or whenever the software notices a change in the controlled computer’s screen. The controller computer forwards the input of its own keyboard and mouse to the remote computer, where the Remote PC access software puts that input into use. Thus, the computer being controlled acts as though the actions are taking place locally. Some softwares disable local inputs as a feature to keep interference to a minimum.
Remote PC access softwares vary in quality, functions and speed. Mainly these differences exist in which layer of the OSI model is used to redirect the GUI. Some applications use the top layer for compression of the images for transmission, others rely on a kernel driver level to build the remote desktop.
Remote administration is the main purpose of Remote PC access software. But another use of them is for “headless computers”. That is, computers can be implemented without I/O devices like monitors and keyboards or mice. They are controlled remotely by other computers using Remote PC access software. This is useful for user support and for educational purposes. In combination with a phone line, this method is almost as effective for the novice computer user as would be the case if the instructor or support person were present physically.
Cloud computing has facilitated the housing of Remote PC access software on USB devices, which enables users to connect the device to any computer on their network or even the internet. They can then recreate their own desktop through the cloud. This avoids the problem of the target computer being turned on when there may be no one available to do it. These devices are called “secure portable offices”.
