What Is Remote Desktop?
What Is Remote Desktop?
What Is Remote Desktop?
Remote Desktop is the new name for the older Windows based Terminal Services Client
that (like with Windows 2000), would allow you to connect to and manage a server
remotely for up to two connections, allowing you to do maintenance on the server and so
on. Remote Desktop (Windows Server 2003 / XP), allows the same functionality, except
it's enhanced and easier to use.
To use Remote Desktop, you need the following:
Display data and keyboard data are sent over a WAN or Internet connection so
make sure that you are working over a good connection to use Remote Desktop
over a slow connection could be a burden. It will work, but it may not respond as
well as you would like. You can use low bandwidth connections, it will allow you
to remotely control a system.
The Remote Desktop Connection software can be installed on any supported Windows
platform. One you get it, install it and open it up.
Lets look at how install Remote Desktop (if not already installed)
To install Remote Desktop Connection software on a client computer
1. Insert the Windows XP CD into your CD-ROM drive.
2. When the Welcome page appears, click Perform additional tasks, and then click
Setup Remote Desktop Connection as shown below.
3. When the installation wizard starts, follow the directions that appear on your
screen.
4. You will have to agree to the license agreement
3. Click System.
4. Click the Remote tab, select the Allow users to connect remotely to this computer
check box, and then click OK.
Firewall settings
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.
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
Accessing Problem:
Problems do occur, most commonly its just that the connection is either refused or it
timed out because of latency. Here is a commonly seen error message:
Advance Settings:
To display more remote connectivity options and configure additional settings, click the
Options button.
Clicking the Options button reveals five tabs, from which additional settings are
configured, as shown in Figure
From the General tab, you can enter the IP address or fully qualified domain name
(FQDN) of the computer you wish to connect to within the Computer field. If you use the
default menu the remote computer will prompt you for a username and password.
However, from the General tab, you can specify the username, password and domain in
the appropriate fields and skip the logon process. Saving this information makes quick
work of logging on to remote connections, such as those used often by employees
wishing to connect to their office desktops from home.
The Display tab, shown in bellow Figure provides options for configuring the desktop
size. Its important to match the remote systems desktop size to the local PC, otherwise
the user may go crazy trying to navigate menus that can consistently reach beyond his or
her monitors range if configure incorrectly.
Use the Local Resources tab, shown in bellow Figure to set sound, keyboard and local
device options. For example, you can configure remote system events to generate sounds
on the local PC (by selecting Bring To This Computer within the drop down box within
the Remote Computer Sound section or automatically connect to remote printers, disk
drives and even serial ports (by selecting the respective checkbox from within the Local
Devices section).
The Programs tab, shown in bellow Figure, permits users to trigger a specific program
upon establishing the remote connection. To enable the feature, check the Start The
Following Program On Connection box and specify the programs location using the
provided fields.
The Experience tab, shown in bellow Figure makes it possible to configure the remote
connections look and feel. For example, you can set the connection speed to maximize
performance, apply the remote systems theme and even display its desktop background.
Or, to optimize performance, you can turn off menu and window animation, forego
displaying the remote systems desktop background, etc.