VNC^® Enterprise Edition User Guide

Getting VNC Enterprise Edition ready to use

Before you can establish a connection, certain operations must be performed on both host and client computers.

This section addresses the client computer user and assumes the same person is able (that is, is physical present and has sufficient privileges) to configure the host computer as well. If not, contact a system administrator or a host computer user.

Note: Some operations need only be performed once. Others must be performed before each connection.

Host computer

1. Ensure the host computer is turned on, has a functioning operating system, and is connected to a network to which the client computer can also connect. For example:

— A private network such as a LAN or VPN, if both computers are co-located at home or in a typical small office environment.

— A public network such as the Internet for most other kinds of connection, and especially those made from an Internet café, using a public Wi-Fi hotspot, or over a mobile (cellular) data network (3G/GPRS/EDGE).

2. Install and license the VNC Server component of VNC Enterprise Edition. You will need to be logged on as a user with administrative privileges. For detailed instructions, navigate to the installation and licensing documentation appropriate to the platform of the host computer at http://www.realvnc.com/products/enterprise/4.5.

3. If you are connecting over the Internet, it is very likely the host computer will be protected by at least one firewall. If so, each must be configured to allow network communications through to the port on which VNC Server is listening, which is 5900 by default. See Allowing network communications through a firewall for more information.

4. If you are connecting over the Internet, it is very likely the host computer will be protected by at least one router. If so, each must be configured to forward network communications through to the port on which VNC Server is listening, which is 5900 by default. See Configuring a router to forward network communications.

5. Make sure VNC Server is running on the host computer and that it can accept incoming connections. See Step 1: Ensure VNC Server is running on the host computer for more information.

6. Find out the network address of VNC Server. If you are connecting:

— Over a LAN or VPN, this must be a private address, which is that of the host computer itself. See Connecting within a private network for more information.

— Over the Internet, this must be a public address, which is that of a router or similar device. See Connecting over the Internet for more information.

7. Find out the user name and password of a user with administrative privileges on the host computer or, if no such credentials exist, change the default authentication mechanism. See Authenticating connections to VNC Server for more information.

Note: If you cannot perform these operations and a host computer user is present, you may be able to set up a reverse connection. See Establishing a reverse connection for more information.

Client computer

1. Ensure the client computer is turned on, has a functioning operating system, and is connected to the same network as the host computer.

2. Obtain VNC Viewer. You can either:

— Install the fully-featured VNC Viewer component of VNC Enterprise Edition.

— Download standalone VNC Viewer from the RealVNC web site. This is useful if you do not want, or have sufficient privileges, to install software. For information on limitations in this mode, see Connecting from standalone VNC Viewer.

For detailed instructions, navigate to the installation documentation appropriate to the platform of the client computer at http://www.realvnc.com/products/enterprise/4.5. Note you do not need a license to use VNC Viewer.

3. Run VNC Viewer and connect. Carry on from Chapter 2, Getting Started: Connecting A Client To A Host Computer.

Note: If you do not want to use VNC Viewer, you can simply connect from any Java-enabled web browser. However, there are considerable limitations in this mode. See Connecting from a web browser for more information.