VNC is a no-frills remote
desktop software package. There is no way to transfer files remotely using VNC,
though you can still copy and paste text from documents across the link.
Included in the latest version is a simple web server that allows computers to
connect to the VNC server machine using only a web browser, removing the
necessity to install the VNC viewer on the client machine.
Download
the latest version of VNC (server and viewer) from www.realvnc.com
if you would like to install it on your
computer and follow along with the next few step. Once installed, to run the
VNC server go to start/programs/realVNC and select 'run VNC server.' You will be prompted
to enter a session password which anyone attempting to connect to the server must
enter.
With VNC server
now running, double click the VNC icon on the taskbar to get the options
menu.
From here we can specify the type of connections
to accept; socket (via the VNC viewer) or Java (via a web browser).
You can also specify whether or not the remote
viewer can control the session with their mouse and keyboard, or only watch the screen
using the 'disable remote mouse and keyboard' checkbox. This feature can come in handy
if you wish to demonstrate something to a remote user, and also gives VNC some great
classroom applications for demonstrating software procedures.
You
can disable the mouse and keyboard on the local (server) box while the VNC server is
active if you wish to make sure that no-one can interfere with your remote
session. Combine this with the option to lock, or log off the system when the VNC
client disconnects for greater local security.
Connecting to a VNC server consists of two easy steps. Using the
VNC client, run the client software and enter the
IP address of your VNC server computer (note: to find the external IP address
of your home system, go to start/run and type 'cmd' to bring up the command
prompt, then type 'ipconfig'). You will be prompted for the password once the connection
is made.
VNC will
open up a window containing your remote desktop, which you can
now control as if you were sitting at that computer yourself. Some software will
not work, or will not work well over this type of link however. Any 3D
game or application is likely to fail, as are movies. The general rule of thumb
is that any software which requires specific use of a 3D accelerator video
card, or rapid refreshing of the desktop will either not work or be unusable.
To
connect with a standard InternetExplorer browser via Java, bring up your
browser and type 'https://(vncserveripaddress):5800'. This string will tell the
browser to attempt to connect to port 5800 (VNC's default port) on the
server. This should bring up a password prompt, which once entered will
bring the remote desktop up in the browser. Performance is notably
worse in the Java mode, but it has
a few convenient extras such as the ability to view the contents of the
clipboard via a button at the top of the screen.
Given
that it is completely free, VNC offers an extremely valuable service.
One can easily access and control any computer on a network or over the
Internet. If you are accessing another computer in a local network (LAN), you
can substitute the computer name for the IP address. Also, if you are using DSL,
or some other non-static IP internet service you can still use VNC by creating
an account with one of the many free dynamic DNS providers such as www.no-ip.com
and entering the URL that they provide you instead of an IP address. Keep the
security limitations in mind though. VNC is not recommended for
business use without additional security
measures such as a VPN.
Next, how to set up a
remote desktop with WindowsXP Professional.
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