Remote desktop applications
Long-Distance Relationship

© Lead Image © alphaspirit, 123RF.com
Remote desktop applications allow remote access to machines, including desktop sharing, which makes them useful assistants in both the personal and professional spheres. We look at a few candidates.
If you need to administer computers over a long distance – whether for work or to help out friends or relations – the time for remote desktop software has arrived. It allows admins to repair the desktops of far-flung relatives in their free time. The software also comes in useful for businesses looking to provide support for their customers from afar. Desktop sharing is a core function, which means if a developer wants to present a new website to their colleagues, they can do so with ease.
In the end, roughly two types of remote desktop applications can be distinguished, with fairly fluid definitions. On remote desktop applications using virtual network computing (VNC), one machine operates as the server. It sends the image of its desktop as a compressed bitmap to the client. The programs run on the server; the user manages them on the client by sending mouse movements and keystrokes to the server.
During desktop sharing, applications that use remote desktop protocol (RDP) or proprietary protocols send screen content as terminal servers. This is sent over the network to one or more clients (multichannel) in the form of primitives, a mixture of images and information. They can even transmit the desktop sound if needed. The users then work on the server's desktop, alone or in parallel with other users, as if sitting directly in front of it.
Both software categories overlap when it comes to their functionality. Newer software, for example, makes it possible to simultaneously chat, send files, make calls over the Internet, and transfer videos. This article looks at the way long-distance relationships work with RealVNC [1], TightVNC [2], TeamViewer [3], AnyDesk [4], NX [5], and its free offshoot X2Go [6]. We will be comparing functions and performance and considering the technology behind them.
VNC: Framebuffer Ahead
RealVNC and TightVNC are part of a group of remote desktop applications that rely on VNC [7]. The basic technology behind VNC is the platform-independent remote framebuffer protocol (RFB) [8]. It works at framebuffer level, so it functions for window-based systems like Windows, OS X, or X11, but also makes cross-platform connections possible. RFB transfers the screen content as bitmaps, where the server only responds to a client-side FramebufferUpdateRequest
with the changes since the last request (FrameBufferUpdate
).
In contrast with the members of the VNC camp, the remote support tools TeamViewer and AnyDesk use proprietary protocols. NoMachine's NX and the free implementation X2Go fall under the category of terminal servers, though they fulfill the purpose of a remote desktop program. Their advantage over VNC lies in their complete encryption of data traffic. In contrast with some VNC applications, their users do not have to manually set up port forwarding if the remote machine is not part of the local network.
Versatile Use
Use of VNC is versatile. Sales reps can connect with company branches over the protocol. Because not all VNC variants encrypt, the admins often secure these sessions with the help of secure shell (SSH) tunnels. Together, they beat the problem of port forwarding at the same time. Companies with a number of field staff can save money thanks to free VNC clients, because tools like TeamViewer or AnyDesk charge fees for commercial use. At the same time, the data exchange remains under their own control.
The admin also controls servers that require a graphical interface via VNC. The hypervisor VirtualBox offers VNC to operate a virtual machine without display (headless) [9].
RealVNC
The remote desktop application RealVNC (Figure 1) uses the RFB protocol. It operates across platforms and can be set up on Unix-flavored systems like Linux, OS X, Solaris, HP-UX, and AIX, and also on Windows and the Raspberry Pi. The current Linux distributions offer their own packages for RealVNC. In Debian, these are vnc4server
and xvnc4viewer
; for RPM-based distributions, they are realvnc-vnc-server
and realvnc-vnc-viewer
. Meanwhile, apps are also available for the viewer for Android and iOS.
The software is written in Java and licensed under the GPL along with proprietary licenses. The developers offer four editions of RealVNC. The Open Edition costs nothing, although you do have to register and activate the software. Since version 5, there has also been a Free Edition as well as the Open Edition; this demands a free license key.
The Personal Edition and Enterprise Edition are both commercial releases, and they essentially differ in their target group. The Personal Edition is aimed at home users and small businesses (as well as Windows users with Vista or later installed), whereas the Enterprise Edition is for larger firms. Unlike the free Open Edition, both of these encrypt and allow users to exchange files, chat, and print on remote devices.
As the admin, you install VNC (in one of its variants) on the machine you want to control. You then run a VNC viewer on the client, which attempts to access the remote device. Viewer and server then establish a point-to-point connection, which allows secure communication when encrypted.
RealVNC is mainly suited to remotely accessing your own machine, but it is also a remote helpdesk application. The pricing model for the commercial variants depends on the number of desktops you want to monitor, as well as virtual ones. The vendor charges $30 per desktop for the Personal Edition, while the Enterprise Edition comes in at $44.
Buy this article as PDF
(incl. VAT)
Buy Linux Magazine
Direct Download
Read full article as PDF:
Price $2.95
News
-
The 14" Pinebook Pro Linux Laptop is Shipping
After a considerable delay, the 14" version of the Pinebook Pro laptop is, once again, available for purchase.
-
OpenMandriva Lx ROME Technical Preview Released
OpenMandriva’s rolling release distribution technical preview has been released for testing purposes and adds some of the latest/greatest software into the mix.
-
Linux Mint 21 is Now Available
The latest iteration of Linux Mint, codenamed Vanessa, has been released with a new upgrade tool and other fantastic features.
-
Firefox Adds Long-Anticipated Feature
Firefox 103 has arrived and it now includes a feature users have long awaited…sort of.
-
System76 Refreshes Their Popular Oryx Pro Laptop with a New CPU
The System76 Oryx Pro laptop has been relaunched with a 12th Gen CPU and more powerful graphics options.
-
Elive Has Released a New Beta
The Elive team is proud to announce the latest beta version (3.8.30) of its Enlightenment-centric Linux distribution.
-
Rocky Linux 9 Has Arrived
The latest iteration of Rocky Linux is now available and includes a host of new features and support for new architecture.
-
Slimbook Executive Linux Ultrabook Upgrading Their CPUs
The Spanish-based company, Slimbook, has made available their next generation Slimbook Executive Linux ultrabooks with a 12th Gen Intel Alder Lake CPU.
-
Fedora Linux is Coming to the Raspberry Pi 4
Thanks to significant work in the upstream, the upcoming release of Fedora 37 will introduce support for the Raspberry Pi 4.
-
New Linux Ultrabook from TUXEDO Computers
TUXEDO Computers has released a new 15" Ultrabook running Linux.