Many ads on TV and radio offer services that give you remote access to your home or office PC from any computer in the world. These are all paid services, yet a remote desktop connection (RDC) is actually free. It is built into Microsoft Windows XP (and later versions) as part of the standard operating system.
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What is RDC?
A remote desktop connection allows you to access and use your computer from a remote location. When RDC is correctly configured, you can log into your computer (with the correct user name and password) to remotely run it as if you were sitting back at your home or office.
How does RDC work?
With remote desktop connection, the host computer (your computer back at home or the office) responds to a remote-access request from your client (the computer you are logged into wherever you are). Via high-speed Internet access, your host computer sends all display (and some audio) information to the client. The client only has to process the limited display information, while data processing, program execution and file storage are handled by the host computer.
Saving time
Before a trip, it's common to take time to copy important files and work projects to a flash disc or laptop. But one of the benefits of RDC is that your data is always there for you. There is no need to consider what computer documents to bring. RDC also eliminates the need to compare multiple versions of the same files because the file is only in one place: on your primary computer.
Data security
Your data is secure on you primary computer. With remote desktop connection, you work on the files that are stored securely on the host computer. Losing files, flash discs and even laptops is no longer a problem.
Requirements
You need to configure remote desktop connection on the host and install the RDC client software if it's not already available. The RDC client is preinstalled on Windows XP and later versions of Windows. And you must know the Internet protocol (IP) address of your remote computer. The IP address is a number that identifies your computer on the Internet. If your host computer's IP address is provided by your Internet provider, you can ask your provider for this information. High-speed Internet access on both the client and host computer is ideal. Slower connects will work but will not offer ease of use and quick response times.
Limitations
Audio output is generally directed from the host computer, but some file types such as MIDIs will not play. This means that your Windows theme sounds will not play. Many robust audiovisual editing applications such as Windows Movie Maker will not run over a remote connection. If your host computer is not running a server operating system, only one user can access the computer at any time.
