Remote Desktop Protocol
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Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) is a multi-channel protocol that allows a user to connect to a computer running Microsoft Terminal Services. Clients exist for most versions of Windows, and other operating systems such as Linux. The server listens by default on TCP port 3389.
Based on the ITU T.share protocol (aka T.128), the first version of RDP (called version 4.0) was introduced with Terminal Services in Windows NT 4.0 Server, Terminal Server Edition. Version 5.0 introduced with Windows 2000 Server added support for a number of features including printing to local printers and aimed to improve network bandwidth usage. Version 5.1 introduced with Windows XP included features like support for 24-bit color and sound.
Features
- 24bit color support, giving a palette of 16.7 million colors. (8, 15 and 16 bit color is also supported.)
- 128bit encryption, using the RC4 encryption algorithm. (This is the default security; older clients may use encryption of lesser strength.)
- Audio allows users to run an audio program on the remote desktop and have the sound redirected to their local computer.
- File System Redirection allows users to use their local files on a remote desktop within the terminal session.
- Printer Redirection allows users to use their local printer within the terminal session as they would with a locally or network shared printer.
- Port Redirection allows applications running within the terminal session to access local serial and parallel ports directly.
- Clipboard can be shared between the remote computer and the local computer.
Consult Technical Overview of Terminal Services (http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver2003/techinfo/overview/termserv.mspx) for a more detailed feature list.
See also
External links
- VNCScan Enterprise Manager (http://www.vncscan.com) - Inexpensive Remote Desktop management console
- Remote Desktop Protocol (http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/en-us/termserv/termserv/remote_desktop_protocol.asp) - from Microsoft's Developer Network
- Understanding the Remote Desktop Protocol (http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;q186607) - from support.microsoft.com
- Remote Desktop Connection Client for Mac (http://www.microsoft.com/mac/otherproducts/otherproducts.aspx?pid=remotedesktopclient) - Microsoft's free client for Mac OS X
- rdesktop (http://www.rdesktop.org/) - free open source client for Unix platforms
- Windows XP Remote Desktop Overview (http://www.dslwebserver.com/main/sbs-remote-desktop-overview.html) - step by step tutorial on using Remote Desktop, including the web-based client