Remote computer access allows users to access networked desktops from another computer. Remote Desktop Connection is a popular tool that allows users to log on and run programs on any computer on the network. It offers advantages for administrators, including the ability to install or update programs remotely and access servers. It can also work via VPN, but has limitations such as network lag and interoperability issues in mixed XP/Vista settings.
Remote computer access is a method by which a user on one computer can access the networked desktop of another computer as if the workstation were being used in person. A popular tool that does this is the client application for the Windows® Remote Desktop Services administrative tool suite, Remote Desktop Connection. Allows a user to log on from a host computer, running Windows XP Professional® or later, to any computer on the network that supports Terminal Services. Through Remote Desktop Connection, a user can run almost any locally accessible program or feature, even in the newest iterations, plug and play devices such as printers and scanners.
Remote Desktop Connection offers many advantages in a networked environment. For example, with the appropriate permission levels, Remote Desktop Connection can allow an administrator to install or update programs for one or more users without having to visit the workstations in person. It can allow an administrator to access and manipulate a remote PC’s file system, ports, printers and audio, as well as reboot the system.
In addition to allowing an administrator to access a workstation, Remote Desktop Connection can be leveraged by an administrator to access and work on a Windows® server remotely. In much the same way that a workstation can be manipulated, an administrator can use this application to access mail, antivirus, file sharing, or any other server or enterprise-grade features a server may have. This can be extremely useful in situations where a server is hosted off site or in a specialized server room. Using Remote Desktop Connection, it is possible to almost completely manage a Windows®-based mail or file sharing server without having to physically interact with the machine itself.
In addition to working on computers connected via a local network, Remote Desktop Connection can work via a virtual private network (VPN). In such cases, the host must connect to the client computer using its IP address and not the computer name, as would be the case in a local area network setup. Depending on available processing resources, Remote Desktop Connection can run in full screen with high color or in a window with fewer options to improve performance.
While Remote Desktop Connection allows for great flexibility in remote system management, it is not unlimited. Currently, a host cannot stream media through a client, and network lag can inhibit the usability of some instances. Also, in mixed XP®/Vista® settings, there are some scenarios, mainly involved when connecting an XP® host to a Vista® client, where interoperability can be problematic. Online resources, both from Microsoft® and from third parties, outline solutions and workarounds for these situations.
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