Remote desktop access with Apple Remote Desktop (Mac OS X)
Apple Remote Desktop ("ARD") is a network protocol that allows you to control another Apple computer remotely via a graphical interface. You can control one Mac OS X workstation from another Mac OS X workstation. The client is a commercial product, available from the Computer Connection at academic pricing.
In contrast with VNC, ARD offers built-in security for the username, password and graphical session data. It also provides the ability to share the contents of the Clipboard between local and remote computers, so that you can copy and paste between computers. There are other features useful for management of large numbers of Mac OS X workstations, such as the ability to remotely install software packages. It is also much easier to set up a remote connection with ARD than VNC-over-SSH.
These instructions detail how to set up a secure ARD service on your remote Mac OS X computer, as well as establish a secure connection from your local computer to this remote computer using a secured ARD client under Mac OS X:
Setting up the ARD service on the remote computer
First, open System Preferences:
Click once on Sharing:
Under the Sharing tab, place a checkmark next to Apple Remote Desktop:
Click on Access Privileges:
To control which user accounts have access to your computer, place a checkmark next to your name and place checkmarks next to all the items to the right of your name, e.g.:
Click OK to close this window and return to the Sharing tab. Click on the Firewall tab:
Click once on the New button:
From the Port Name menu, select VNC and click OK:
You should see checkmarks next to Apple Remote Desktop and VNC:
If the firewall is turned off, turn it on by pressing the Start button.
Close System Preferences to apply these changes.
For security, you may also want to the uncheck the Apple Remote Desktop service during those times when you do not need to provide remote access
Connecting the ARD client to the remote computer
If you have not already installed the Apple Remote Desktop client application, insert the ARD disc and run the installer now. You will need to purchase this disc from the Computer Connection.
From within the Applications folder, double-click the Remote Desktop application to open it:
Click on the "+" symbol located below the computer name column and select Add By Address...
In the various fields, add your remote computer's address (e.g., *.bio.upenn.edu), your computer username and your computer password:
To control your computer, select it from the list:
Click on the Control button:
Mouse over each button in the window's button-bar to learn its function. The last two buttons on the right may be of use to you; you can use these to copy and paste items between the Clipboards of the two computers:
When you're done, just click on the red Close button to close the connection.
