Apple Computer today released Apple Remote Desktop 2.1 Update Admin (16.4MB) and Client (7.1MB).
Here are some of the enhancements included with the Apple Remote Desktop 2.1 Update:
Remote Assistance:
– Full screen mode: You can now control and observe remote computers in full screen mode, allowing you to view the remote screen on the entire screen of your display.
– Control and observe remote computers with multiple monitors: Administrators can now control and observe remote Mac OS X systems which have two or more displays. The displays are shown in one virtual window.
– Support for mouse scroll wheel and right-click when controlling remote computers.
– Improved control and observation of remote computers that are running applications in full screen.
– Improved opt-out for Guest Access option.
– Improved support for third party VNC Viewers and VNC Servers.
– AppleVNC Server no longer relies on presence of mDNS process.
Remote Administration:
– Multi-line output for Send UNIX Command: You can now view all the results from the Send UNIX Command.
– The Install Package command now detects whether a package requires a restart and will optionally restart the client computers after the package installation has completed.
– Send UNIX Command no longer dependent on client side Observe privilege.
Asset Management:
– Improved printing of hardware and software reports.
– Improved remote data collection.
– You can now drag results from reports to the Finder. The items will then be copied from the client computers to the administrator’s computer.
Software Distribution:
– Improved file copy for files that reside on networked home directories.
Other enhancements:
– Client authentication using Active Directory: Clients can now be authenticated against directory services groups in Active Directory.
– Improved client authentication using two additional directory services groups, ard_manage and ard_interact. Members of the ard_manage group will be able to perform all commands except for – Control and Observe. Members of the ard_interact group will be able to perform all commands under the Interact menu.
– Enhanced column sorting in the Administration application.
– Improved support for managing computers that have Dynamic DNS enabled.
– Administration application now correctly remembers it’s settings if it unexpectedly quits.
– The ordering of network scanners is now remembered.
More info and download links here.
Has anybody here used Remote Desktop? I am thinking of getting it to help out my Mom and sisters. How does it compare for speed with like VNC Viewer via internet? I have tried that but it is SOOOO SLOOOW that it is painful and I have given up on it.
I got ARD 2.0 for the same purpose. I’ve never been able to connect over the internet. Works fine on the home network. Apple support says that since it’s working on the home network, the software is working and they can’t help connect over the internet. And when I say, they can’t help, I mean absolutely zero help. They speculate that one of the ISPs is blocking connection, but offer no suggestions for troubleshooting or verification or anything. (SWBell ADSL to RoadRunner cable). Upgrade to ARD version 2.1 didn’t help. I haven’t tried using VNC to connect to remote machine.
And, I guess I should add this before I get a flood of suggestions, I think I have both UDP and TCP ports 3283 and 5900 open. So any suggestions on how to verify that they’re open would be appreciated.
Most internet companys block certin ports causeing this nice little feature to work wich does kinda suck so if its that there is really nothing you can do. but one thing i would like to ask when you go to connect over remote when u enter you ip wich one are you using. if your just typing the 192.168.1.*** then no it wont work cause thats just your local port and if you just inter you cable or dsl or Fiber Optics ip like 68.***.***.*** then it still wont work this is because it requirs that you put the port info in like this for example if this is you ip 68.123.123.123 then you need to make it like this 68.123.123.123:3283 the last numbers after the “:” are the port number this letes you terminal access that computer via the port if you just have the ip then it just gets lost in you router and will come back timed out or etc….. let me know if this helps at all cause i use this program all the time and am a partial mac tech so i hope this will help you out a bit good luck
PS: Almost forgot that in the newer versions of this in system preffs under sharing you have to manual turn on remote “remote desktop” or it will also block it
I doubt your ISP is blocking. Too much effort these days to block services. They tried it once with VPN. That ended real quick.
We use it regularly. Nothing wrong to say. Concerning the issues:
internet connections: Are you authorizing RD on the client side? Can you see those machine in RD? There is also the option to allow control, observe, or nothing at all.
A colleague with an HP uses VNC: no difference in speed. Actually, if one reduces the resolution on RD (even before the screen turns B&W) RD is then noticeably faster. Granted, we have fast-ethernet: working on RD is then almost as working with a monitor attached to the machine.
Of course if the machine is on as slow connection RD would *feel* slow but it has nothing to do with RD. Nothing different from trying to watch a movie on the puter: slow connection? Forget it.
To set ports to be open you have to define them on the firewall. If you have the firewall on and did nothing about them then the ports are closed.
I have successfully used RD to control a computer in Canada from the U.S. It was no problem when both sides had a fast connection. It also worked when the other end was using dial-up, but, to make it usable with dial-up, I reduced screen size and switched to Black & White. Dial-up is not fun, but, for short limited use, was workable. That was using Remote Desktop 1.1. I have just recently ordered RD 2. I hope that it will be even better. I also use RD to manage a small Mac network at work.