#Remote desktop control mac how to
#Remote desktop control mac mac os
#Remote desktop control mac install
#Remote desktop control mac full
#Remote desktop control mac software

Long an option for Windows, VNC support was spotty on Mac OS 9 but is solid on Mac OS X.

#Remote desktop control mac software

VNC is an open source software effort to provide cross-platform remote screen sharing capabilities. Fortunately for home and small business users there are other options. Traffic can be routed across VPNs if one is available.ĪRD is a powerful tool, but power comes at a price. ARD requires forwarding TCP and UDP ports 3283 through firewalls. Bonjour support is available to find systems on your local network, or you can add them by IP address.Īcross the Internet you must know the IP address of the remote computer or network gateway to establish a connection this requires either a static IP address on the remote end or the use of a dynamic DNS locator service (like DynDNS) to find your remote system in times of need. The client limit dictates how many remote systems you can manage simultaneously most home users and small business will be fine with the 10-client version. Apple sells two versions, a 10-client version for $299 or an unlimited client version for $499. To control an ARD-shared host computer, you need to use the Apple Remote Desktop administrator software. ARD access from afar is via your host Mac’s account password. In Leopard you also enable ARD via System Preferences –> Sharing, but control capabilities have been split into separate Screen Sharing and Remote Management sections click Options for choosing Remote Management services. To enable an ARD host (server) in Panther and Tiger, go to System Preferences –> Sharing and turn on Apple Remote Desktop, then click Access Privileges and enable all desired services for one or more users. On a LAN, network admins with multiple Macs to manage will find this tool indispensable.

#Remote desktop control mac full

ARD provides the full gamut of remote system control: scalable screen sharing, file transfers to and from the remote systems, and remote software updating of individual machines and whole networks at a time.

#Remote desktop control mac install

ARD server software has been built into Mac OS X since 10.3 Panther and was available as an optional install for earlier versions of OS X. Apple Remote Desktop (ARD)Īpple’s native remote control solution is Apple Remote Desktop (ARD). Sometimes method B works when method A doesn’t then you can fix method A or reboot the machine from afar. Programs crash, network and Internet conditions vary, and you may find yourself locked out at a critical time. It’s often helpful to use two remote control methods simultaneously (if possible), especially if you’re running a server or access is otherwise critical. Some methods require you to know the IP address of the remote system to connect and may require special firewall configurations, while others will work without any special settings or knowledge – usually!

#Remote desktop control mac mac os

Some remote control methods work across different versions of the Mac OS (or cross-platform), while others require the same OS version on local and remote machines. Needs and realities often dictate your options. Patience is a must, but remember it’s usually faster than traveling there! Closing unnecessary windows on the remote system and using a flat single-color desktop (instead of a complicated picture or pattern) will speed up response. Minimizing the amount of data you need to transmit for screen sharing will make the process run more quickly. The method used, network bandwidth available, and types of traffic will determine the “sluggishness” factor. With any remote desktop method, access to the remote system is slower than when you are sitting in front of that computer. Remote control capabilities vary by method used and include remote desktop control (screen sharing), file transfers, and system management (patches and updates).

Part 3 looks at on new options provided by Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard.

#Remote desktop control mac how to

Part 2 addresses some commercial solutions that also support multiple OS versions, along with how to force-reboot a remote Mac. Part 1 of this covers general considerations and Apple-supported methods available for remote system control that will generally work on any version of Mac OS X (Jaguar, Panther, Tiger, and Leopard).

Historically there have been fewer options to accomplish this for Macs than PCs, but the situation has been improving steadily. The screen of the shared host computer appears locally, and you use your mouse and keyboard to control the other system from afar. Remote control of your Macintosh allows you to access a remote (host) computer across a network or the Internet from a local (client) system.