name	Apple Remote Desktop
logo
screenshot
developer	Apple Inc.
latest release version	3.5
latest release date	July 20, 2011
operating system	Mac OS X
genre	Remote Access Software
license	Proprietary
website	http://www.apple.com/remotedesktop/ }}

Apple Remote Desktop (ARD) is a Macintosh application produced by Apple Inc., first released on March 14, 2002, that replaced a similar product called Apple Network Assistant. Aimed at computer administrators responsible for large numbers of computers and teachers who need to assist individuals or perform group demonstrations, Apple Remote Desktop allows users to remotely control or monitor other computers over a network.

Releases

The original release, which used the UDP protocol on port 3283, allowed remote computers (running Mac OS 8.1 or later) to be observed or controlled from a computer running Mac OS X. It also allowed remote computers to be restarted or shutdown, to have their screens locked or unlocked, or be put to sleep or awakened, all remotely. Version 1 also included simple file transfer abilities that would allow administrators to install simple applications remotely, however to install applications that required the use of an installer the administrator would have to run the installer manually through the client system's interface.

Version 1.1 (released August 20, 2002) introduced the ability to schedule remote tasks.

Version 1.2 (released April 2, 2003) added a number of features that were designed to ease the administration of a large number of computers. Software could now be installed remotely on a number of machines simultaneously, without using the client system's interface. The startup disk on remote computers can also be changed, setting them to boot from a NetBoot server, a Network Install image, or a partition on their own drives. The client ARD software could also now be upgraded remotely to allow administrators to take advantage of new features without having to visit each individual computer.

Apple released a minor update on December 16, 2003 that brought ARD to 1.2.4. This update concentrated on security, performance and reliability.

On June 21, 2004 Apple announced Apple Remote Desktop 2 (released in July), which was designed to use the VNC protocol instead of Apple's original ARD protocol. This allows the ARD administration software to observe and control any computer running VNC-compatible server software (such as Windows and Unix systems) not just Macs and conversely allowing standard VNC viewing software to connect to any Mac with the ARD 2 software installed and VNC access enabled. This version also uses the TCP protocol for most functions (on ports 5900 and 5988), which is designed to be more reliable than the UDP protocol used in ARD 1. Port 3283 may also use UDP protocol. Another significant addition to ARD 2 was the Task List, that allows remote tasks to be queued and monitored, reporting their status (such as Succeeded or Failed). This release also dropped support for older versions of the Mac OS, requiring 10.2.8 or higher.

On October 11, 2004 Apple released version 2.1 which improved on a number of existing features while adding the ability to view observed or controlled computers in full screen, the ability to see the displays of computers with more than one monitor and support for mouse right-click and scroll-wheels.

On April 29, 2005 Apple released version 2.2 which added support for Mac OS X v10.4 along with several other bug-fixes and improvements to reliability.

On April 11, 2006 Apple released version 3.0 which is now a Universal Binary and features improved software upgrade functionality, Spotlight searching, as well as increased throughput and encryption for file transfers, and Automator support.

On November 16, 2006 Apple released version 3.1 which provides support for the new Intel-based Xserve Lights Out Management feature.

On October 18, 2007 Apple released version 3.2 which introduced Mac OS X Leopard support and compatibility for third party VNC viewers and servers.

On August 20, 2009 Apple released version 3.3 which fixed many bugs and allowed function keys and key combinations to be sent to the remote computer instead of the local machine.

On January 6, 2011 Apple released version 3.4 which provides compatibility with the Mac App Store.

On July 20, 2011 Apple released version 3.5 which provides compatibility with OS X Lion.

Encryption

Prior to version 3, ARD encrypted only passwords, mouse events and keystrokes, not desktop graphics (or file transfers). Apple therefore recommended that ARD traffic crossing a public network should be tunnelled through a VPN, to avoid the possibility of someone eavesdropping on ARD sessions.

ARD 3.0 has the option of using AES 128 bit, the same as a basic SSH server.

See also

Screen Sharing

Comparison of remote desktop software

RFB protocol

Terminal Services

References

External links

Apple Remote Desktop

Category:Remote desktop Remote Desktop Category:Virtual Network Computing Category:Remote administration software

cs:Apple Remote Desktop de:Apple Remote Desktop fr:Apple Remote Desktop it:Apple Remote Desktop ja:Apple Remote Desktop ru:Apple Remote Desktop

Remote Desktop may refer to:

Remote desktop software

* Apple Remote Desktop

* Remote Desktop Services

* Remote Desktop Protocol

Desktop sharing

de:Remote-Desktop ja:Remote Desktop

name	Apple Remote
developer	Apple Inc.
type	A remote used to control the Apple TV, iPods and iPhones (with dock), and Macs with infrared ports
photo
first release date	October, 2009 (current)October, 2005 (previous model)
website	Apple — iMac — Front Row }}

The Apple Remote is a remote control made for use with Apple products with infrared capabilities released after October 2005. The device was announced by Steve Jobs on October 12, 2005. The remote is largely based on the interface of the first generation iPod Shuffle and has only six buttons. The six buttons on the remote are for Menu, Play/Pause, Volume Up, Volume Down, Previous/Rewind, and Next/Fast-forward. The remote was originally designed to interact with Front Row in the iMac G5 and is also compatible with the MacBook and MacBook Pro. The Mac Mini with Apple Remote support was announced on February 26, 2006. The Apple TV also ships with and utilizes the Apple Remote.

The remote was designed to attach magnetically to the side of the late G5 and early Intel iMacs. These models integrated several hidden magnets in the bottom right corner which attract the remote's battery. This is also possible with the frame of MacBook screens. As of February 2008, the MacBook and MacBook Pro no longer include an Apple Remote in the package, though it remains compatible and available as an option for the MacBook Pro. As of March 2009, the iMac and Mac Mini also no longer ship with an Apple Remote in the package.

In October 2009 the original white plastic remote was replaced with a thinner and longer aluminum version. The new aluminum remote was released along with the 27 inch aluminum iMacs and multi-touch Magic Mouse. It also introduced a few changes in the six-button layout. The Play/Pause button was moved out of the center of the directional buttons, placing it aside the Menu button (under the directional buttons). The symbols for the Volume Up/Down and Next/Fast-forward buttons were replaced with small dots. This was to make it more obvious that the buttons were also used to move up, down, left, and right within menus. All of the buttons became black and embossed within the aluminum. Along with the new design, the price was dropped to $19.99.

The Front Row application allows users to browse and play music, view videos (DVDs and downloaded files) and browse photos. The Apple Remote is also compatible with the iPod Hi-Fi and the Universal Dock. The functions for the iPod Universal Dock allow for music and media control, though the remote is not able to control the menus within the iPod. The battery is accessed by pushing a small, blunt object, such as a paper clip or a 3.5 mm headphone plug, into a tiny indent at the bottom right edge of the remote, revealing the compartment which houses the CR2032 lithium 3.0 V button cell (1st Gen). Use a coin to access the battery on the back of the remote (2nd Gen)

Shortcuts

Pairing

A device can be configured to respond only to a certain remote. This can be achieved by holding the Apple Remote close enough to the device with which it is to be paired, and then pressing and holding the "Menu" and "Next" (or "Play"; this option also increments the remote ID before pairing) buttons for five seconds. Pairing can be removed by holding the "Menu" and "Previous" buttons for five seconds or deactivating it under the Mac OS X "Security" System Preference pane. Only users with administrative privileges are allowed to pair their remote; in a non-administrator account, pressing the buttons will have no effect and nothing will be displayed. Pairing can be very useful because some users who have both an iMac and Apple TV nearby experience issues with remotes working with both devices.

Sleep

Users can put iMacs, MacBook Pros, MacBooks, Intel Mac Minis, Apple TVs, or docked iPods into sleep mode by holding down the Play/Pause button on the Apple Remote. Devices can also be awakened by pressing any button on the remote.

Boot options

Holding down the Menu button on the remote while starting up an Intel Macintosh enters the Startup Manager (same as holding the Option key at startup). The remote can then be used to cycle through all bootable partitions and can then confirm them by pressing the Play/Pause button. This can be especially useful for Boot Camp users who might frequently use this feature to boot into Windows partitions on the Intel Macs. The remote can also eject CDs or DVDs in this menu by selecting the disc and then pressing the + (Volume Up) button on the remote.

iOS App

Apple also offers a free 'Remote' app for iOS devices (available in the iTunes App Store) which allows for wireless control of iTunes on Mac/Windows computers or the Apple TV.

Application compatibility

The remote can be used to control presentations in Apple Keynote (on both Intel Macs & PowerPC Macs), presentations in Microsoft PowerPoint 2008 or in OpenOffice.org Impress, picture slide shows in iPhoto and Aperture, QuickTime, DVD Player, and audio in iTunes.

VLC compatibility

In response to the new Intel processors, a small piece of software called the Apple Remote Helper has surfaced to allow remote use in the VLC media player. Play, pause, volume, and skip buttons all work normally. It should be noted, however, that the volume buttons change VLC's volume, and not the system volume. Starting with release 0.8.6-test1 VLC itself supports the Apple Remote and no secondary software installation is required.

The latest version of VLC (1.0.5) enables all functionality with the latest Apple Remote. (Except the function of sleep).

Hardware compatibility

Compatibility with newer Macs

The Apple remote is not supported on the 2010 or 2011 Macbook Air laptops. The Apple remote is supported on all older editions of the Macbook Air. The Apple Remote is not compatible with the White Unibody MacBook, which is now discontinued. It works with all MacBook Pros and all iMacs, as well as Mac Minis.

Compatibility with older Macs

Using the third-party remote software mira (from Twisted Melon) or Remote Buddy (from IOSPIRIT GmbH) users of older Macs can use the Apple Remote with a USB-based IR receiver. Most new Mac models come equipped with a built-in infrared receiver, but previous generation products lack any such IR device. Even the Mac Pro desktops released in the summer of 2006 lack built-in IR. Using Remote Buddy or mira, it is possible to connect an external USB receiver such as the Windows Media Center Edition eHome receiver, and use the Apple Remote on older machines with full support for sleep, pairing, low battery detection, and Front Row. In addition, Remote Buddy is able to emulate events of an Apple Remote on these systems, enabling users to use software written for the Apple Remote in exactly the same way as with newer Macs.

iPod compatibility

An iPod placed in a dock featuring an IR sensor can be controlled via the Apple Remote. However, the remote's menu functionality does not work on the iPod.

Compatibility with other devices

The Apple Remote can also be used to control the iPod Hi-Fi or third party devices tailored to it.

Boot Camp compatibility

As of Boot Camp 1.2, the remote has been given some compatibility when a user is running Windows. If the user has iTunes installed on the Windows partition, pressing the Menu button on the remote will load the program. As well as this, the remote has the ability to control both Windows Media Player and iTunes, as well as system Volume Control. Additionally, the remote also has the ability to control the audio program foobar2000 and the freeware media program Media Player Classic. Programs must have focus for the remote to control them. Skipping tracks and pausing/playing functionality are available under the programs.

MacBook and iMac resting place

Earlier models of the iMac (Polycarbonate iMac) featured a magnetic rest for the remote, which was later (Aluminum iMac) taken out.

The MacBook features magnets in its lid (primarily intended for the magnetic latch) which also act as rests for the Apple Remote.

Infrared interference

Because many electrical appliances use infrared remote (IR) controls, concurrent use of the Apple Remote with other IR remotes may scramble communications and generate interference, preventing stable use. Remotes should be used individually to circumvent the problem.

Technical details

The Apple Remote uses an NEC IR protocol which consists of a differential PPM encoding on a 1:3 duty cycle 38kHz 950 nm infrared carrier. There are 32 bits of encoded data between the AGC leader and the stop bit: !Protocol !!on (microsecond 9000 !0 bit !1 bit !stop

µs) !	off (µs) !! total (µs)
!leader	|	4500	13500
|	560	560	1120
|	560	1690	2250
|	560		560

The 32 bits of data consist of a one byte remote ID (0-255), followed by a one byte command, followed by the two byte Apple custom code ID (0x87EE). Bytes are sent LSB first. The commands consist of:

!Value !

Command !! Button
0x16	Menu	Menu
0x17	Play
0x18	Right
0x19	Left
0x1f	Up
0x20	Down

See also

Apple TV

Front Row

iMac

iPod

iPod Hi-Fi

MacBook Air

MacBook Pro

Mac Mini

iTunes Remote

Remote control

References

External links

Category:Apple Inc. peripherals Remote Category:Remote control

de:Apple Remote es:Apple Remote fr:Apple Remote it:Apple Remote nl:Apple Remote ja:Apple Remote no:Apple Remote pl:Apple remote pt:Apple Remote ru:Apple Remote sk:Apple Remote fi:Apple Remote sv:Apple Remote zh:Apple Remote