Chapter 16 Lab #2: Using Remote Desktop and Remote Assistant

Remote Desktop Connection

For the first section of this lab, we are using Remote Desktop to connect to another machine.

"Remote Desktop Connection is a technology that allows you to sit at a computer (sometimes called the client computer) and connect to a remote computer (sometimes called the host computer) in a different location. For example, you can connect to your work computer from your home computer and have access to all of your programs, files, and network resources as though you were in front of your computer at work. You can leave programs running at work and then, when you get home, you can see your work computer's desktop displayed on your home computer, with the same programs running."


For this lab I used my Mac at home to connect to one of my laptops that was running Windows XP.

1. The first thing I did was locate the ip of the laptop by using the ipconfig command.
2. I then opened Microsoft's Remote Desktop Connection for Mac, entered the ip address, and hit connect.
3. I was greeted with the login window below and entered my username and password on the laptop.

4. Once the login information was entered, my laptop desktop was immediately loaded.

I was then able to have complete remote control of my laptop.


Remote Assistant 

The second part of this lab is looking at Remote Assistant. Remote assistant allows a tech to remotely take control of a user's computer to assist them in correcting any problems they may be having. To use remote assistant, the user needing help must send a help request to the person they are wanting assistance from. This can be completed via the following:
1. Windows Messenger
2. Saving a File
3. Via E-mail

For this lab I used a VM with Windows 7 to connect to my laptop running Windows XP.

For this lab we are saving a file. The saved file and password is then sent via email. The recipient simply opens the invitation which auto launches remote assistant and prompts for the password.

Once the password was entered, the client's machine (my laptop) prompted to allow my desktop to connect remotely. After clicking on OK, the remote machine was immediately connected. By default the machine was only in View Only mode as shown below. I was not able to take control of the remote laptop, but was able to see the screen.

On the host machine, I had to click "Request Control" to gain access to control the remote machine.

At this point, I was able to control the remote machine and even play a game of Solitaire.

Conclusion 

Both Remote Desktop and Remote Assistant are indispensable programs to the IT tech. These programs allow a tech to trouble shoot or update machines no matter where they may be.