Prerequisites for Sharing Computers Remotely

You can access computers of remote computers, in a Local Area Network (LAN) or in a Wide Area Network (WAN), to complete various tasks. For example, you can remotely access a computer to

Ensure that the following prerequisites are met before you access computers remotely. You must do the following:

Configuring Controls in Your Browser

You are required to configure certain controls in your browser before connecting remotely to a computer. For example, if you are using an ActiveX viewer, in Mozilla Firefox, to view the remote computer, you must install Java Plug-ins in the browser you are using.

Ensure that you configure controls only in the browser from where a remote connection is being established.

Configuring ActiveX Controls in Internet Explorer

You must configure ActiveX controls when using Internet Explorer to connect to computers remotely.

To configure ActiveX controls in Internet Explorer, you must make the following settings for your Web content zone:

Specifying Custom Security Settings

To specify custom security settings for your local intranet, follow the steps given below:

      1. Open Internet Explorer
      2. On the Tools menu, click Internet Options
      3. Click the Security tab
      4. In the required Web content zone icon

For example, if the remote computer and the Desktop Central server are both in the local intranet, you must configure the following settings for the local intranet.

      1. Click Custom Level
      2. In the Settings section, under ActiveX controls and plug-ins, click Enable or Prompt in the following sections:

        • Download signed ActiveX controls
        • Download unsigned ActiveX controls
        • Run ActiveX controls and plug-ins
        • Script ActiveX controls marked safe for scripting
      3. Click OK to save the security settings you made

      4. Click OK to close the Internet Options property sheet

You have enabled ActiveX controls in Internet Explorer

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Setting Security Levels

To set the security level, follow the steps given below:

      1. Open Internet Explorer
      2. On the Tools menu, click Internet Options
      3. Click the Security tab
      4. Select Local intranet
      5. Click Default Level
      6. Set the security level to either one of the following:
        • Medium
        • Medium-Low
        • Low
      7. Click Apply to apply the option you have set the security level to
      8. Click OK to close the Internet Options property sheet

You have set the security level for your local intranet.

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Configuring Mozilla Firefox or Flock to Install Desktop Central Add-ons

Before you use either Mozilla Firefox or Flock to establish a connection with a computer remotely, you must configure the browser settings to allow you to install Desktop Central add-ons in it.

To configure Mozilla Firefox or Flock to enable you to install Desktop Central add-ons in it, follow the steps given below:

    1. On the Tools menu, click Options
    2. Click the Security tab
    3. Enable the Warn me when sites try to install add-ons option
    4. Click Exceptions
    5. In the Allowed Sites section, add the name or the IP Address of the machine where the Desktop Central server is installed
    6. Click Allow
    7. Click Close
    8. Click OK to close the Options property sheet

You have configured Mozilla Firefox or Flock to enable installation of Desktop Central add-ons. Now you can install the required Desktop Central add-on. When you've installed the required add-ons, you can connect remotely to computers.

Installing Java Plug-ins in Browsers

You must install Java plug-ins when you want to:

If Java plug-ins are already installed, the connection is automatically established. However, if the required Java plug-ins are not installed, you will be prompted to download and install them to connect to a remote computer.

You can download and install Java plug-ins from http://java.sun.com/products/plugin. You may have to restart the browser after installing the plug-ins.

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Opening Required Ports

You must open relevant ports in the firewall in the Desktop Central server, when you want to do the following remotely:


If there is a third-party firewall between the Desktop Central server and the remote computer, you must open port number 8443.

Opening Ports to Control Computers Remotely

You must open the Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) port 8443 in the computer where the Desktop Central server is installed. If you are using the Windows firewall, follow the steps below to add this port to the exception list:

    1. Click start>Settings>Control Panel
    2. Double-click Windows Firewall
    3. Click the Exceptions tab
    4. Click Add Port
    5. Enter a name for the port
    6. Enter 8443 in the Port number box
    7. Click TCP
    8. Click OK

You have opened the port required to control computers remotely.

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Opening Ports to Transfer Files Remotely

The following list gives you the port numbers that you must open to transfer riles remotely. These are categorized as follows:

For a secure mode of transfer

When you want to transfer files using a secure mode of transfer you must open the following ports:

For a non-secure mode of transfer

When you do not want to transfer files using a secure mode of transfer you must open the following ports:

Changing the mode of transfer

The default mode of transfer is the secure mode. However, to change the mode of transfer to the non-secure mode, follow the steps given below:

      1. Click the Tools tab
      2. Click Remote Control
      3. Click the Settings tab
      4. In the Port Settings section, uncheck the Use Secure Connection checkbox

You have changed the mode of transfer from a secure connection to a non-secure connection.

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Configuring Remote Desktop Settings

You can configure the following settings in Desktop Central before you connect and control a remote computer:

Features of the Remote Desktop Settings

The table given below enables you to understand when to use each of the settings given in the Settings tab for Remote Desktop Sharing:

S.No. Section Option Description

1

General Settings

 Viewer Type This enables you to choose the viewer you want to use to view the computer that you access remotely. You can choose either an ActiveX viewer or a Java viewer.

Notify users upon sharing

Use this option when you want to notify your users that the administrator has connected remotely to their computer.

Disable Wallpaper during Remote Connection

Use this option to disable the wallpaper (set by the user) during a remote connection.

Disable Aero Theme during Remote Connection

Use this option to disable the Aero theme during a remote connection. This is only applicable for computers that have the Microsoft Windows Vista operating system (and later versions) installed in them.

Log the reason for remote connection

Use this option to ensure that the administrator enters a reason while connecting remotely to a computer.

Blacken the monitor of the client computer during remote connection

Use this option to blacken the monitor of the user during a remote connection. This ensures that the user does not see the changes that are made by the administrator.

Lock the keyboard and the mouse of the client computer during remote administration

Use this option when you want to take full control of the user's computer to complete a task.

2

Port Settings

Use secure connection

This ensures that you use a secure connection when connecting to a user's computer remotely

3

Compression Settings

Fast

Use this option, when you want the rendering to be faster. The compression ratio will be lower and will consume higher bandwidth comparatively.

Best

Use this option, when you want to optimize bandwidth utilization. The compression ratio will be higher and the User Interface (UI) rendering will be comparatively slower.

4

Prompt Settings

Enable Prompt

This option allows you to get confirmation from a user before connecting to their computer. Only Desktop Central users with administrative privileges can configure this option.

  • If a user is logged in, Desktop Central sends a remote-connection confirmation request for the user's approval. Remote connection is established only if the user approves the request within 30 seconds. If the user does not approve the request within 30 seconds, the remote connection is not established automatically.

  • If a user is not logged in, the remote connection is established without waiting for a confirmation from the user.

Time out (in seconds)

Use this option to set the amount of time you want to give the user to approve the request to allow a remote connection.

Prompt Message

Enter the text that you want the user to see when prompted for confirmation to allow remote control.

 

To configure remote computer settings, follow the steps given below:

You must have administrator privileges to make the settings given below.

  1. Click the Tools tab
  2. Click Remote Control
  3. Click the Settings tab
  4. In the General Settings section, make the following settings:
  5. Select the type of viewer

The viewer you choose will be the default option for all the users and they can change it if required.

  1. Check the required checkboxes
  2. In the Port Settings section, check the Use Secure Connection checkbox
  3. Enter 8444 and 8021 in the Gateway Port and File Transfer Port boxes, respectively

The port numbers that you specify should be opened in the firewall of the computer where the Desktop Central server is installed.

  1. In the Compression settings section, check the required options
  2. Click Save Changes

You have configured the remote computer settings as required.

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