Essential Mac OS X Panther Server Administration

Chapter 29. Apple Remote Desktop

Although not included with Mac OS X Server, Apple Remote Desktop (also called simply Remote Desktop, or ARD) is an incredibly robust and useful tool that can make several of the tasks of deploying and managing a Mac network much easier for administrators and technical support staff alike. It can also be a very effective educational tool, making it useful for computer-enhanced classrooms and labs.

Apple Remote Desktop’s first function is the ability to remotely observe and control a Mac workstation using a network connection. This feature is very useful for troubleshooting and security tasks, but not uncommon in software for Macs, as several products have offered it for multiple computing platforms. In fact, ARD integrates with the open standard and multiplatform VNC (Virtual Network Computing) set of tools that exist for such tasks. Apple did provide what might the most comprehensive and intuitive interface for observing and interacting with a large number of workstations at once, however.

Remote Desktop goes beyond just observing and controlling workstations, in that it allows you to easily interact with users logged into monitored workstations and to issue a number of administrative commands to workstations without actually needing to control the workstation and manually perform these tasks. It also includes the ability to copy files to and from workstations and to remotely install software on workstations. Additionally, ARD allows you to broadcast ...