A Closer Look at Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP)

A Closer Look at Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP)

Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) is a secure network communications protocol developed by Microsoft for its
Windows based applications. Microsoft first included RDP in Windows XP and now most versions of the Windows
Operating system have RDP. Besides Windows, RDP is available for most versions of Unix, Linux, Mac OS X, Android
and other modern operating systems. An open source version of RDP is also now available. It has been designed to
support different types of network topologies such as POTS, ISDN and LAN protocols such as NetBIOS, IPX, TCP/IP
and so on.

Some of the significant properties of RDP are resource sharing, smart card authentication, encryption, ability to
use multiple displays, ability to disconnect temporarily without logging off and so on.

RDP is extremely useful for the mobile workforce as it helps them to access their office desktops remotely. With
RDP remote access, users can log in to their office computers from anywhere and at any time. Even though they
are remotely accessing their office desktops, users feel as if they are actually sitting at their desks and clicking and
typing on their computer. The only difference with RDP is that the users are accessing the desktop remotely,
otherwise everything from log in procedure to desktop icons arrangement are the same.

The following are some of the other notable features of RDP.

Audio and video Payback Redirection
This allows users to run an audio or video program on the remote desktop and then redirect the sound to
their local computer.
Printer Redirection
This allows users to use their local printer through remote desktop.
Port Redirection
This allows users to access local serial and parallel ports directly.
File System Redirection
This allows users to access their local files on remote desktop.
Clipboard Sharing
This allows users to share the clipboard between the remote desktop and the local computer.
Rewrite of Device Redirection
Being general purpose, this allows access to greater variety of devices.
Multiple Monitor Support
This allows users to use 10 monitors simultaneously.
Language Bar Redirection
This allows users to use the language bar on the local computer to control settings.
Bandwidth Reduction
This allows optimizing the rate of data transfer in low speed connections.

Since anyone can use it without any prior user training, RDP translates into immediate user productivity and
greater business productivity.

Read more on : Remote Desktop Access & Remote Desktop Appliance

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