Do you need to remotely control an Apple computer running OS X 10.4 Tiger or OS X 10.5 Leopard? This is precisely the purpose of VNC!
Steps
Method 1 of 5: Understanding VNC
Step 1. Definition:
VNC stands for Virtual Network Computing.
Step 2. Purpose:
VNC allows you to remotely send input from a keyboard and mouse from one computer to another over a network or the internet, and even see exactly what's on the other computer's screen. This allows you to control a computer as if you were sitting in front of it from another room, building or even from another country depending on your settings.
Step 3. How it works:
Put simply, when you connect to a remote machine via VNC, you will see the screen of the remote machine in a window, and you will be able to control it as if you were sitting in front of it. Everything you do through this window directly affects the remote machine.
Step 4. The components:
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The server:
The VNC server is the computer whose screen you want to share, on this computer runs the server software that allows other computers to connect and control it.
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The client:
A VNC client is any computer that connects and controls a server.
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The protocol:
The protocol used is the method by which client and server communicate. The protocol is software-determined and generally cannot be changed by the user, so for the purposes of this document, suffice it to say it exists but we don't have to worry about it.
Method 2 of 5: Mac OS X 10.4 or 10.5 - Set up as a server
Mac OS X 10.4 and 10.5 include the server component, so we just need to activate it.
Step 1. Open System Preferences from the menu with the blue apple
Step 2. Click the Sharing icon in the 'Internet and Network' category
Step 3. Highlight Apple Remote Desk in the list
Step 4. Click Activate to start the Apple Remote Management Service
Step 5. If you are NOT connecting with JollysFastVNC or ScreenSharing you will need to follow the following steps:
- Click Access privileges to access advanced options.
- Select VNC viewers can control the screen with a password and set a password.
Step 6. You can close the System Preferences
Are you done!
Method 3 of 5: Mac OS X 10.4 - Set up as a client
Step 1. To connect to your new VNC server from a remote machine, you need a VNC viewer, luckily there are several free options to choose from
- The steps for setting up depend on the viewer you have chosen, follow the documentation carefully and you will have no problems creating a connection.
- JollysFastVNC is currently the fastest VNC client and is continuously being developed, and it includes many features that you won't find in any other client.
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Chicken of the VNC is an older client that has proven to work with this method, just connect using the IP address of the server computer. (On the server use Safari or Firefox and go to www.whatismyip.com)
(Chicken from VNC is no longer being developed and has been replaced by a new program called Chicken,
Method 4 of 5: Mac OS X 10.5 - iChat method
Leopard includes in iChat Screen sharing; although it is not the best method, it is the simplest.
Step 1. Open iChat using a. Mac or Bonjour account if both computers are on the same network
Step 2. Select your friend in the main list
Step 3. At the bottom of iChat is a Screen Sharing button that appears as two overlapping squares
Step 4. Select Share my screen with or Ask to share the screen of.
Step 5. iChat will take care of the rest
To end the session, press [Command] + [Esc] on both computers.
NOTE: There must be someone at the remote computer to accept or initiate the shared session
Method 5 of 5: Mac OS X 10.5 - Finder method
Server
Step 1. Open the Sharing System Preferences panel
- You open System Preferences from the apple menu.
- Click Sharing.
Step 2. At the top of the service list, there is Screen Sharing
Select it and activate it.
Step 3. Where it says Allow access for:
you choose all users. This will make things easier.
Step 4. If you are not using ScreenSharing or JollysFastVNC you must:
- Click the button Computer settings.
- In the next window, select Anyone can request permission to control the screen.
- In the same window, enable VNC viewers can control the screen with a password and choose a password.
Client
Step 1. Click on the Desktop to activate the Finder.
Step 2. Select the Go menu at the top of the screen and then Connect to the server.
Step 3. In the window that opens, type vnc: // 'followed by the IP address of the computer you want to connect with. (Example: vnc: //10.1.1.22)
Step 4. Click the 'Connect' button
Step 5. If it works you will have the possibility to connect as a registered user or with the request for permissions
- If you select registered user you will need to enter the username and password of an account on the server computer.
- If you select ask for permissions someone will need to be at the remote computer and click allow.
Advice
- If you manage a server, be sure to secure it by at least setting a password on the server. It is also recommended to indicate which IP addresses can connect for added security.
- If you are really concerned about security, you should configure your VNC server to only accept local connections and then establish an ssh tunnel from the client machine. This way, all VNC packets between server and client will be encrypted.
