Cons, Benefits and Selection criteria for Virtual Network Computing Technology

Marzieh yazdanipour
School of Information Technology Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University Hyderabad, India E-mail:m_yazdanypoor@yahoo.com Hyderabad, India. E-mail: ammfr_66@yahoo.com

Amin Mehdipour
Department of Engineering Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University Hyderabad, India E-mail: am_mehdipour@yahoo.com

Afsaneh Yazdanipour
Department of Engineering Iran Zamin University Isfahan, Iran E-mail: mehr_parand@yahoo.com

Vishwesh Nagamalla
School of Information Technology Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University Hyderabad, India E-mail: vishwesh2010@gmail.com

Mina Yazdanipour
College of Commerce and Business Management Osmania University

Abstract---In this paper Virtual Network Computing (VNC) technology is defined and basic models of desktop sharing are introduced. The needs for using of virtual network computing systems are described and the uses of VNC systems are explained with example. The cons and benefits of VNC systems are discussed. Some of remote desktop sharing applications are also introduced and compared in this paper. Finally, the necessary criteria for selecting the appropriate desktop sharing software is prescribed that can be helpful for choosing a certain software for certain conditions. Keywords- Virtual network computing; desktop sharing; VNC; Selection criteria; Remote desctop sharing; RFB protocol;Thin VNC; Team viewer; Chrome remote desctop;Real VNC

own desktop while being physically away from their computer. Real-time collaboration desktop sharing, when used in conjunction with other components of multimedia communications such as audio and video, creates the notion of virtual space where people can meet, socialize and work together. Desktop sharing software can be used in many different aspects and the users can use of its advantages to facilitates their needs. This software can provide a more efficient way to manage tech support issues; they can also serve as the ideal solution for web conferencing, etc. Beside many number of benefits, desktop sharing applications and VNC systems have some coins also [5, 6]. Complexity, security and performance are some of the negative aspects of these systems. In the next section basic models of desktop sharing are defined. Then uses of virtual network computing systems are mentioned in section 3. In section 4 needs for using a VNC system are explained. In section 5, some cons and benefits of using VNC systems are mentioned. Then some of the remote desktop sharing applications are introduced and compared clearly in section 6. Finally In last section a selection criteria is proposed for selecting the best appropriate desktop sharing software. II. B ASICS MODELS OF DESKTOP SHARING There are two basic models for desktop sharing, one is Remote log-in and the other one is Real-time collaboration.

I. INTRODUCTION In computing, VNC is a graphical desktop sharing system that uses the RFB protocol to remotely control another computer. VNC enables the desktop display of one computer to be remotely viewed and controlled over a network connection [1]. VNC was created as an open source research project in the late 1990s. Since that time, several mainstream remote desktop solutions have been created based on VNC. The original development team produces the RealVNC package [2-4]. To use VNC, you need a network TCP/IP connection, a vncserver and a vncviewer to connect to the machine running the vncserver [1, 2]. There are two basic models for desktop sharing, one is Remote log-in and the other one is Real-time collaboration. Remote log-in allows users to connect to their

A) Remote Log-in This model of desktop sharing allows users to connect to their own desktop while being physically away from their computer. Systems that support the X Window System, typically Unix-based ones, have this ability "built in". Windows versions starting from Windows 2000 have a built-in solution for remote access as well in the form of Remote Desktop Protocol and prior to that in the form of Microsofts NetMeeting. The open source product VNC provides crossplatform solution for remote log-in. The shortcomings of the above solutions are their inability to work outside of a single NAT environment. A number of commercial products overcome this restriction by tunneling the traffic through rendezvous servers. B) Real-Time Collaboration Real time collaboration is much a bigger area of desktop sharing use, and it has gained recent momentum as an important component of rich multimedia communications. Real time collaboration desktop sharing, when used in conjunction with other components of multimedia communications such as audio and video, creates the notion of virtual space where people can meet, socialize and work together. On the larger scale, this area is also referred as web conferencing. III. USES FOR V IRTUAL NETWORK COMPUTING S YSTEMS These types of systems have many different uses that can make things relatively easier for businesses and individuals alike. For example, a VNC system can help with remote technical support. This means that if there is a problem on one computer, a person could connect to that computers network in order to troubleshoot any problems. This is a major use for businesses [6]. It is also used by people who want to help friends or relatives with computer issues. People can use VNC to remotely access files on certain computers in a wide range of situations. With the growth of multinational corporations and the requirements for large networks, companies need an Internet technology professional for each office location. Desktop sharing software provides a more efficient way to manage tech support issues. Online computer support personnel can change desktop settings, update software, troubleshoot PC issues and access files on the remote computer via a remote desktop connection. As long as the computer is powered on and has networking capabilities, tech support administrators can manage the machine including rebooting it for software updates. These remote applications can also be used for servers on the network.

Along with remote support, desktop sharing applications can serve as the ideal solution for web conferencing. With desktop sharing, a company can organize a group meeting online, such as for a webinar or for online meetings. VNC can be effectively used by people who need to access work files from their office computer. It is also great for people who happened to forget to bring their presentation to work. They can use VNC to connect to their home computer in order to retrieve any files. This type of program is often used by system administrators, IT support, and help desks. It is used by administrators in order to take control of an employees computer. Administrators may need to do this in order to help certain employees with any type of program. It can also be used in the classroom by teachers. Teachers may take advantage of this program in order to allow students to view what is happening at the teachers computer. This can help teachers teach their students easily and more effectively. IV. NEEDS FOR USING A VNC SYSTEM In order to use a virtual network computing system, you do not need much. All you need is a network TCP/IP connection, a VNC server, and VNC viewer in order to connect to the computer that is running the server [1, 4]. In fact, The VNC server is the program on the machine that shares its screen. The server passively allows the client to take control of it. The VNC client (or viewer) is the program that watches, controls, and interacts with the server. The client controls the server. The VNC protocol (RFB)--A simple protocol for remote access to graphical user interfaces-remote frame buffer protocol is used to remotely control another computer that is based on one graphic primitive from server to client ("Put a rectangle of pixel data at the specified X,Y position") and event messages from client to server. V.
CONS AND BENEFITS IN USING VNC

Your program is only as fast as the slowest available Internet connection. If your Internet connection is slow, you may have a problem with running the programs on your large client. Performance issues will also tend to increase as you use real-time programs and interactive applications [5]. Complexity could cause some people to give-up on using a virtual network computing system. If you are using more than one network, protocol, service provider, or collection there might be a range of challenges to face using a VNC program. They typically involve a variety of potential security issues and performance issues. Whether or not the strengths outweigh these challenges depends on your reasons for using such a program. It also depends on the type of security and software that is already on your network of computers.

Security issues can quickly become a major problem. By default, RFB is not a secure protocol. While passwords are not sent in plain-text (as in telnet), cracking could prove successful if both the encryption key and encoded password are sniffed from a network. For this reason it is recommended that a password of at least 8 characters be used. On the other hand, there is also an 8-character limit on some versions of VNC; if a password is sent exceeding 8 characters, the excess characters are removed and the truncated string is compared to the password. There are no security features on most of the available virtual network computing programs. For example, if your current thin client contains a virus, this can possibly compromise your entire network [6-9]. However, you can download other security programs that can help to protect your network. It is important to keep security current to avoid newer hacks and lower risks. Every communication task within a network can be considered as a potential security hole. Accordingly, to secure VNC you must secure your network. Firewalls, SSL, SSH... can be used to improve security. Another security feature is to restrict connections by IP address. Another issue is performance. Your program is only as fast of network hardware equipment to establish the VNC tunnel, then you could have a hard time trying to make the programs work together. You may need to hire a professional to make things work. This is especially true if the programs were not designed to work together. If you can find ways to overcome the challenges presented by using a network computing system, then there is no doubt that you will enjoy the benefits of this system. In addition to saving data, the benefits include saving time and money. You can save money on total hardware requirements. VNC can allow you to use an older computer to run a recent program. This sometimes allows businesses to purchase fewer computers. Businesses no longer need the same type of disk memory or processing capability, for VNC makes things easier. In the event of a disaster, you can potentially restore any lost data that was on the large client computer. This is because all data that a virtual desktop has is stored in a secondary data center. This allows you to access all of your data with no disruption normal work flows [5]. VI. SOME REMOTE DESKTOP SHARING APPLICATIONS There are lots of Desktop sharing applications that can be use to facilitate the communications in different aspects. As the top five VNC applications we can mention to Skype Screen sharing, Yuuguu, AT & T Connect, Team Viewer and

Cisco TelePresence Solutions. But there are some other VNC applications that offer different features to their users. Features of most of the notable Desktop sharing software are compared in table 1.

TABLE I. COMPARISON OF DESKTOP SHARING APPLICATIONS

Scre en shar ing Rem ote acce ss Instan t messa ging Sha re con trol Opera ting Syste ms Suppo rted Windo ws, Mac Windo ws, Linux, Mac Windo ws, Mac, Smartp hones Windo ws, Mac, Linux Windo ws, Linux Windo ws, Mac Windo ws Moder ate. Mac, Lunix, iPad, Androi d, iPhone partici pate. Windo ws, Mac, Linux Windo ws, Mac, Linux, iPhone , Androi d Windo ws Windo ws, Linux, Mac, Unix, Solaris , iPhone Windo ws, Linux, Mac

Application/t ool

Cost

Video confere ncing

File tran sfer

GoToMyPC

$19.95/m onth $338.00 annual

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

IBM Lotus Sametime

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

LogMeIn

Free version available $19 $25/mont h, free for noncommerc ial use Free version available $39.90/m onth, free for noncommerc ial use

Yes

Yes

Yes

Mikogo

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Nefsis

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Netviewer

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

OpenScape Web Collaboration

Free 30day Trial

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Skype

free

Yes

Yes

Yes

No

Yes

Yes

TeamViewer

$749 $2,690, free for noncommerc ial use $30/mont h, $20/5session bundle

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Techinline

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

No

Yes

Webex

45 cents per minute/p er user

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yuuguu

$19/mont h

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

A) Thin VNC

Thin VNC is a pure-web Remote Desktop solution that takes advantage of the latest web technologies like AJAX, JSON and HTML5 canvas to deliver a high-performance Remote Desktop access over the web, using HTTP and SSL protocols. It is cross platform and uses any HTML5-compliant Web Browser (Firefox, Google Chrome, Safari, etc). Thin VNC is Cross operating system that can be Access from any Windows, Mac or Linux Operating system. Also it is Crossdevice in which a user can use an iPhone, iPad, Android tablet, Chromebook and many other devices to connect to remote computers from anywhere. B) TeamViewer Today, more than 60 million users trust TeamViewer. User can remote control his/her partners PC as if he/she was sitting right in front of it. The new TeamViewer version offers innovative drag and drop file transfer. During a remote support session, files can simply be dragged to the partner screen, for fast and straightforward transfer. Transferred files will appear on the desktop of the partner computer, for quick and easy access. In the TeamViewer, also simultaneous connections to more than one user on a terminal server are possible. C) Chrome Remote Desktop Google launched the public beta of the "Google Remote Desktop" extension for the Chrome browser to provide full desktop sharing. This extension allows one computer to remote control another, all done via Chrome extensions on both ends. The person whose desktop is being remotely controlled clicks a button that says something along the lines of "I would like to be controlled" which generates a key. Then the remote controller types that key into the Chrome web app to initiate the remote control session. VII.
SELECTION CRITERIA FOR DESKTOP SHARING SOFTWARE

that have been made to the screen rather than re-capturing the image. This speeds the data transfer process. When selecting desktop sharing software for business use, the individual should consider the following criteria: Easy Installation User-Friendly Interface Screen capture capability while in other programs Program runs in the background Any web browser or computer can be used to view the image Supports various operating systems, such as Windows or Mac Encryption capability, if necessary Connectivity can be secured by an optional access code Others can listen to conversations as the user speaks through audio streaming Allows application and desktop sharing The number of users is only limited by the bandwidth of the users connection

Desktop sharing allows users to share information remotely through access to anothers desktop. Individuals can now collaborate with other co-workers who are located globally or even short distances away. Time and money is saved from travel expenses. Desktop sharing software communicates the gestures made by the host computer to the remote computer. The receiver is able to see an exact replica of the hosts computer screen in real time with this technology. Most desktop sharing software can work well with low-bandwidth connections because the packets of data are compressed and sent to a remote computer. Compressed information or encrypted data can be transmitted faster across any connection. Also, most of the software will only send updates

The user should determine how the desktop sharing software will be used in the business in order to fully understand the benefits of the technology. Some desktop sharing software companies offer a Personal and Corporate edition. If the software will be used for small meetings of 1015 people sharing presentations and documents, then make certain that the software can accommodate the number of people that are invited. Individuals requiring viewing by more than 12 people should probably seek professional software that can accommodate a larger number of users or an unlimited number of users. Additionally, some businesses will require an encryption technology. Not all desktop sharing software companies offer this capability. Assess the history of the desktop sharing application, the businesss needs for the present and anticipate the future before selecting desktop sharing software. Many companies allow the individual to test the desktop sharing software without first making a commitment to a purchase. Additionally, once the software is in the possession of the business owner, other software may be tested remotely through global clients and other desktop sharing scenarios. Before selecting desktop sharing software, the user should consider all of the aforementioned selection criteria in mind. Then, move forward to select the software that accommodates the needs of the business.

[21] [22] [23]

VIII. CONCLUSION In this paper Virtual Network Computing (VNC) is defined, basic models are described; the needs and uses for the VNC systems are explained along with the benefits and cons of these systems. A comparison is performed between the notable desktop sharing applications and finally a selection criterion for the discussed technology and remote desktop sharing software has given. It is conspicuous that more research should be done in the field of VNC and desktop sharing technologies. REFERENCES
[1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9] [10] [11] [12] [13] [14] [15] T. Richardson, The RFB Protocol, Tech. rep., RealVNC Ltd, unpublished, 2007. Georges Tarbouriech, Virtual Network Computing, as known as VNC,[Online], Available at: http://linuxfocus.org/English/July2000/article155.shtml, April 2012. The RFB Protocol, Tristan Richardson RealVNC Ltd, (formerly of Olivetti Research Ltd / AT&T Labs Cambridge), Version 3.8, Last updated 26 November 2010. VNC Enterprise Edition User Guide, Version 4.5, Copyright RealVNC Limited, April 2010. The Benefits of Desktop Sharing, [Online], Available at: http://www.mikogo.com/guide/desktop-sharing.htm, March 2012. VNC Server 4.4 User Guide, Copyright RealVNC Ltd, 2008. K. Kaplinsky, VNC tight encoder-data compression for VNC, The 7th International Scientific and Practical Conference of Students, Postgraduates and Young Scientists, pp. 155157, 2001. X. Zhang and H. Takahashi, A Hybrid Data Compression Scheme for Improved VNC, Systemics, Cybernetics and Informatics, Vol. 5, No. 2 pp. 14, 2007. T. Richardson, Q. Stafford-Fraser, K. Wood and A. Hopper, Virtual network computing, Internet Computing, Vol. 2, No. 1 pp. 3338, 1998. Tristan Richardson, Quentin Stafford-Fraser, Kenneth R. Wood and Andy Hopper, Virtual Network Computing, IEEE Internet Computing, Volume 2, February 1998. P. Ziewer et al., Transparent TeleTeaching, ASCILITE 2002, Auckland, NZ, December 2002. M. Hasan et al., Multicast Application Sharing Tool for the Access Grid Toolkit. UK e-Science All Hands Meeting, Nottingham, UK, 2005. Liu, H., Maes, P., & Davenport, G., Unraveling the taste fabric of social networks, International Journal on Semantic Web and Information Systems, 2 (1), 2006, 42-71. H. Schulzrinne et al., RTP: A Transport Protocol for Real-Time Applications, RFC 3550, IETF, July 2003. Abrams, L., R. Cross and D. Levin, The Strength of Weak Ties You Can Trust: The Mediating Role of Trust in Effective Knowledge Transfer, (Institute for Knowledge-Based Organizations white paper, March 2002). T. Richardson et al., Teleporting in an X Window System Environment, IEEE Personal Comm., No. 3, 1994, pp. 6-12. Also available as ORL Technical Report 94.4, ORL, Cambridge CB2 1QA, England. Patrick Garnier, VNC Neighborhood Network Scanner User Guide, April 2006. D.C. Mowery, J.E. Oxley, B.S. Silverman, Strategic alliances and interfirm knowledge transfer, Strategic Management Journal 17, 1996, 77-92. J.P. Liebeskind, Knowledge, strategy, and the theory of the firm, Strategic Management Journal 17, 1996, 93-107. Satish Vanimisetti, Using VNC on an Access Grid Node, Copyright 2001 by Center for Computational Sciences, University of Kentucky.

S. Li, Q. Stafford-Fraser and A. Hopper, Integrating synchronous and asynchronous collaboration with virtual network computing, IEEE Internet Computing, Vol. 4, No. 3, pp. 2633, 2000. Y. Liu and O. J. Anshus, Improving the performance of vnc for highresolution display walls, Collaborative Technologies and Systems, Los Alamitos, CA, pp. 376383, 2009. B. Shizuki, M. Nakasu and J. Tanaka, VNC-based access to remote computers from cellular phones, IASTED International Conference on Communication Systems and Networks, Malaga, Spain, pp. 7479, 2002.

[16]

[17] [18] [19] [20]