SoftXpand runs on the Windows OS and creates multiple virtual desktops (sessions) on top of the primary Windows session (referred to as session 0 or Host Console).

Speaking about remote control for SoftXpand refers to:

• Remote control between SoftXpand workstations (on the local Host).
• Remote control from a remote computer to a SoftXpand workstation (on a remote host).

This document will describe

1. How to use SoftXpand remote control feature to connect between workstations.
2. How to use RDP (Windows remote desktop connection) from a remote computer together with f SoftXpand’s remote control feature, in order to connect to a SoftXpand workstation.
3. How to use any standard remote control tool together with SoftXpand’s remote control feature, in order to connect to a SoftXpand workstation.
4. How to connect directly to a workstation using UltraVnc SC (Single Click).

How to remote control between workstation:

SoftXpand's Remote control feature enables you to connect between workstations on the same cluster (workstations which are on the same PC).

In order to connect from one workstation to the other, open the Admin Tools, go to the workstation node, right click the desired workstation and choose "remote control" as shown in the picture below:

Tip: it can be helpful to change the workstations names, to the user’s names, in order to make it easier to recognize which workstation is who.

Remote control settings can be configured globally (the settings will apply to all workstations) under Host properties - remote control tab as shown in the picture below:

Or

They can be configured individually (each workstation will have its own remote control settings) using the workstation properties, remote control tab.

Note: the default setting is that all workstations are configured globally. Therefore the remote control tab under the workstation properties will be gray.

In order to be able to configure each workstation individually uncheck the: "Apply remote control settings to all workstation" checkbox.

Using RDP from a remote computer:

If you want to remote control a SoftXpand workstation on a remote Host, using RDP, perform the following steps:

• Establish a remote control connection to the remote Host.
  By connecting to the remote SoftXpand Host using RDP – a new SoftXpand session will be created on the Host. This session is not one of the active workstations and it is not the Host Console session. It’s a new RDP session which is created on the SoftXpand Host once a logon is performed. From this new RDP session you can open the Admin Tools and connect to any of the workstations.
• Open the Admin Tools.
• Go to the workstations node.
• Choose the desired workstation you wish to connect to and choose “remote control” (as explained in the remote control between workstations section).

Using other remote control tools:

This section will describe how to connect to a SoftXpand workstation using standard remote control tools which are installed as a service on the SoftXpand Host.

For example: VNC server, PcAnyWhere, installed as a service on the SoftXpand Host.

These are the steps to be performed:

• Establish a connection from a remote computer to the SoftXpand Host.
  You will actually be connected to SoftXpand Host Console (see: note).
• Open the Admin Tools.
• Go to the workstations node.
• Choose the desired workstation you wish to connect to and choose “remote control” (as explained in the remote control between workstations section).

Note: Since SoftXpand workstations run on top of the primary Windows session (Host Console), whenever a listener is configured as a service, it will listen on the Host Console. Not on any of the actual workstations.

This means, that when you connect remotely to the listener, you will actually get connected with the SoftXpand Host Console.

From there you will be able to connect to any desired workstation using SoftXpand remote control as described in both sections above.

Using UltraVnc SC (Single Click) to connect directly to a user on a SoftXpand workstation:

This example, explains how you can create a solution where your user calls you on the phone and asks you to connect to him.

You tell your user to double click an EXE file (which you need to prepare), and this will automatically generate a VNC connection between you and your user.

Perform the following steps:

• Create your own UltraVnc SC (Single Click) as described here: http://www.uvnc.com/addons/singleclick.html.
  And here:
  http://www.uvnc.com/pchelpware/sc/create.html.
  The main thing you need to configure in the above is your IP address.
• Make sure your user has the EXE file you prepared on his workstation.
• Run a VNCViewer listener on your computer with a desired port listening.
  For example: set it to listen on port 5500 like this:
  D:\UltraVNC_105_binW32\vncviewer.exe -listen 5500
• Once your user will double click the VNC – SC exe file you prepared for him, you will automatically connect remotely to his SoftXpand workstation.

Note: This solution is just an example for creating a support environment, where you can connect directly to SoftXpand workstations.