Apple Remote Desktop

Apple Remote Desktop is a tool that provides for both remote access and asset management of networked (Ethernet, IP over FireWire, or AirPort; with Ethernet recommended) Mac OS X machines.

The basic architecture of the application consists of a centralized administrator component, client components, and an optional "Task Server" that can collect report data from the client machines and facilitate the new automatic software installation capabilities (by default, the machine that the administrator component is installed on is considered to be the Task Server). Older versions of the client component (v1.2 and v2.2) ship with Mac OS X 10.3/10.4; they must be enabled and configured for access from the remote administrator before they can be utilized (but once enabled, can be upgraded individually or in groups to the most recent version of the client using Remote Desktop itself). Communications between the clients and administrator can be encrypted; either the entire data stream can be encrypted or only keystrokes and passwords per configuration settings.

Key capabilities of the platform include:

- Software Distribution: Administrators can install software packages on remote machines without requiring end-user interactions. Features include scheduling, multi-package installations, and support for custom install packages. File copy features allow for the copying of single/multiple files to a group of Macs, with scheduling and permission settings supported.

- Asset Management: Over 200 attributes of client systems (hardware configurations, software versions, etc.; see Apple's Web site for a complete list) are interrogated and stored in an SQL database, with 12 reports available as a result. Detached machines such as laptops can be set to automatically update their information each time they login to the network.

- Remote Assistance: Up to 50 remote Mac OS X or VNC (Virtual Network Computing) client screens can be monitored by the administrator simultaneously. The administrator can take control of or share the mouse and keyboard with the remote user, can resize their view-window to the client machine and/or change the color depth (to one of 4 available options) to fit their actual display. Group screen sharing is also available, allowing the administrator to share a specific user's screen or their own with the end users.

- Remote Administration: Remote client management tasks, including logout, shutdown, restart, screen locks, designation of boot up disks, etc. can all be accomplished for both individual machines or groups from the administrator's console. Additionally, custom administration tasks can be launched via the product's ability to execute UNIX shell scripts or commands simultaneously on remote machines.

- Automation (OS 10.4+): New in version 3. Allows for the creation of custom, automated workflows based on supported individual actions that can be saved and used to accomplish repetitive tasks. Over 30 sample actions are provided and can be linked together and saved to be used as a self-running application or a plug-in as needed. Some available actions include choosing a computer or computer list, closing finder windows, deleting items, execute an AppleScript, force quit all applications, restart the computer, etc.

New in the latest version (3) is the aforementioned "Automator" capabilities; remote "Spotlight" search capabilities for searching remote systems; automatic, staged software install capabilities for detached computers (allowing for automatic installs when the remote Mac next connects to the network); "Curtain Mode," which allows the administrator to hide their activities on a remote Mac from the Mac's end user; an enhanced file copy engine with support for 64-bit file sizes; and more. The new Automater and remote Desktop Widget functions require Mac OS 10.4 on the administrator computer; Spotlight searching requires Mac OS 10.4 on the client computers.

Apple Remote Desktop version 3 is now available; with a 10 client license package priced at $299 and unlimited client licensing available for $499 (prices are per administrator). Visit the Apple Web site for further information.