VNC® Enterprise Edition

User Guide
Version 4.5

April 2010
Trademarks
VNC is a registered trademark of RealVNC Ltd. in the U.S. and in other countries. Other trademarks are the
property of their respective owners.

Copyright
Copyright © RealVNC Limited, 2010. All rights reserved.
No part of this documentation may be reproduced in any form or by any means or be used to make any
derivative work (including translation, transformation or adaptation) without explicit written consent of
RealVNC.

Confidentiality
All information contained in this document is provided in commercial confidence for the sole purpose of use
by an authorized user in conjunction with RealVNC products. The pages of this document shall not be
copied, published, or disclosed wholly or in part to any party without RealVNC prior permission in writing,
and shall be held in safe custody. These obligations shall not apply to information which is published or
becomes known legitimately from some source other than RealVNC.

Contact
RealVNC Limited
Betjeman House
104 Hills Road
Cambridge
CB2 1LQ
United Kingdom
www.realvnc.com
Contents

About This Guide 7

Chapter 1: Introducing VNC Enterprise Edition 9

What is VNC Enterprise Edition? 10

Getting VNC Enterprise Edition ready to use 10

VNC Enterprise Edition 4.5 connectivity 12

What to read next 13

Chapter 2: Getting Started: Connecting A Client To A Host Computer 15

Step 1: Ensure VNC Server is running on the host computer 16

Step 2: Start VNC Viewer on the client computer 17

Step 3: Identify VNC Server on the host computer 17

Step 4: Select an encryption option 19

Step 5: Connect and authenticate to VNC Server 19

Troubleshooting connection 21

Chapter 3: Using VNC Viewer 29

Starting VNC Viewer 30

Configuring VNC Viewer before you connect 31

Connecting to a host computer 35

Connected: The VNC Viewer experience 36

Using the VNC Viewer toolbar 38

Using the VNC Viewer shortcut menu 39

Using the VNC Viewer Properties dialog 41

Managing the current connection 42

Changing the appearance and behavior of VNC Viewer 43

Restricting access to functionality 45

Chapter 4: Connecting From A Web Browser 49

Connecting to a host computer 50

Connected: The VNC Viewer for Java experience 54

Working with VNC Viewer for Java 55

Chapter 5: Exchanging Information 59

Printing host computer files to a local printer 60

Transferring files between client and host computers 62

Copying and pasting text between client and host computers 66

Communicating securely using VNC Chat 67

Chapter 6: Setting Up VNC Server 71

Starting VNC Server 72

Running multiple instances of VNC Server 76

Working with VNC Server 79

Configuring network communications 86

Preventing connections to VNC Server 88

Restricting functionality for connected users 90

Stopping VNC Server 92

Chapter 7: Security 93

Authenticating connections to VNC Server 94

Relaxing the authentication rules 99

Bypassing the authentication rules 102

Relaxing the encryption rules 105

Preventing particular connections to VNC Server 106

Restricting functionality for particular connected users 110

Uniquely identifying VNC Server 114

Upholding privacy 115

Appendix A: Saving Connections 117

Saving connections to VNC Address Book 118

Using VNC Address Book to connect 123

Managing connections using VNC Address Book 124

Saving connections to desktop icons 127

About This Guide

This User Guide explains how to use VNC Enterprise Edition 4.5 to connect two computers over a TCP/IP
network and control one from the other. The two computers can be running any supported operating
system.
Note: All the information in this User Guide also applies to VNC Personal Edition 4.5 with the exception of
sections on platform-native authentication, and to VNC Viewer Plus 1.0 for connections made to VNC
Server.

Intended audience
There is no such thing as a typical VNC Enterprise Edition user. This User Guide therefore has more than
one audience in mind:
• Chapter 1 is a general introduction to VNC Enterprise Edition, intended for everybody.
• Chapter 2 through 5 are intended for users who want to connect to and control a remote computer.
• Chapters 6 and 7 are intended for users who want to set up the computer to be controlled.
This User Guide is intended to be operating system-agnostic, as far as possible. Information related to
specific operating systems is clearly marked.

Conventions
Most dialogs and other artifacts are identified by the operating system under which graphics were captured.
The default for generic dialogs is Windows XP. These may appear different under UNIX or Linux and Mac
OS X, or versions of Windows with different themes, but the principle is the same. Note that error messages
and partial dialogs are not identified.

Services
You can e-mail RealVNC Support if you have a full or trial license to use VNC Enterprise Edition. At the time
of publication, this service is available from www.realvnc.com/support/index.html.

Related information
Navigate to www.realvnc.com for:
• Supported platforms, operating systems, and system requirements.
• Instructions on how to install, unlock, and remove VNC Enterprise Edition, and getting a trial license key.
• Release Notes and FAQs.
• Downloads of related programs.
• Information relating to earlier versions of VNC Enterprise Edition.

VNC Enterprise Edition 4.5 User Guide 7

About This Guide

• Information relating to other RealVNC products and solutions.

Note: Under Windows, once VNC Enterprise Edition is installed, you can go straight to the VNC Enterprise
Edition home page from the Start menu. Select RealVNC > Documentation > VNC Enterprise Edition on
the web.

8 VNC Enterprise Edition 4.5 User Guide

 1
Introducing VNC Enterprise Edition

This chapter introduces VNC Enterprise Edition: what it is, how it works, and how it can help you.
It explains what you need to do to get VNC Enterprise Edition ready to use in your environment and
suggests, for users with different requirements, what chapters of this User Guide to read next.
Note: All the information in this User Guide also applies to VNC Personal Edition with the exception of
sections on platform-native authentication, and to VNC Viewer Plus for connections made to VNC Server.

Contents
What is VNC Enterprise Edition? 10

Getting VNC Enterprise Edition ready to use 10

VNC Enterprise Edition 4.5 connectivity 12

What to read next 13

VNC Enterprise Edition 4.5 User Guide 9

Chapter 1: Introducing VNC Enterprise Edition

What is VNC Enterprise Edition?

VNC Enterprise Edition connects two computers together over a network and enables you to take control of
one (the host computer) from the other (a client computer) irrespective of where the two are in the world, or
incompatibilities they may have in platform, architecture, or operating system.
VNC Enterprise Edition consists of two separate programs, VNC Server and VNC Viewer. You install and run
VNC Server on the host computer; that is, the computer to be controlled. You run VNC Viewer on the client
computer, use it to establish an encrypted, authenticated connection to the host computer and, when VNC
Viewer displays the host’s desktop in a new window, take control of it using the client’s keyboard and mouse.
You can run applications, change settings, and access data on the host computer exactly as you would be
permitted to do were you sitting in front of it.
Note: Other users can connect to the host computer at the same time as you. You may be sharing control.

A. Host computer running VNC Server. B. Client computers running VNC Viewer, each connected to VNC Server, and
displaying the host computer’s desktop. C. A network, for example a Local Area Network or the Internet. D. Secure
(authenticated and encrypted) connections.

VNC Enterprise Edition solves different problems for users with different requirements, from the family
member troubleshooting computer problems over the Internet to the system administrator configuring
devices remotely for the enterprise environment. To find out how to get the information you need from this
User Guide, see What to read next on page 13.

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 physically
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.

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 Chapter 1: Introducing VNC Enterprise Edition

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 on page 26 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 on page 23.
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 on page 16 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 on page 21 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 on page 22 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 on page 94 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 on page 104 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 on page 13.

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Chapter 1: Introducing VNC Enterprise Edition

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 on page 15.
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 on page 13
for more information.

VNC Enterprise Edition 4.5 connectivity

Unless stated, this User Guide assumes you are connecting from a client computer running fully-featured
VNC Viewer 4.5 to a host computer running VNC Server 4.5. However, you can also:
• Use VNC Viewer 4.5 to connect to:
— A version of VNC Server prior to 4.5.
— A computer running VNC Personal Edition or VNC Free Edition.
— A Mac OS X computer with Screen Sharing or Remote Management built-in and enabled (turn on
VNC viewers may control screen with password, and set a password).
— A VNC-compatible Server product from a third party.
Note that not all the functionality of VNC Enterprise Edition 4.5 is available in each circumstance.
• Connect to VNC Server 4.5 from:
— A version of fully-featured VNC Viewer prior to 4.5.
— Standalone VNC Viewer.
— A Java-enabled web browser.
Note that not all the functionality of VNC Enterprise Edition 4.5 is available in each circumstance. See
the sections below for more information.

Connecting from an earlier version of VNC Viewer

You can connect to VNC Server 4.5 from a version of VNC Viewer prior to 4.5, but note that features new to
this release will not be available. In particular, you cannot:
• Print host computer files.
• Copy and paste text containing special characters between applications running on the client and host
computers. You can only copy and paste characters from the Latin-1 (ISO 8859-1) character set.
• Chat with other connected users, or with a host computer user, on computers running UNIX or Linux or
Mac OS X.
Note: You may not be able to connect to VNC Server at all if your version of VNC Viewer does not support
encryption and authentication. For more information, see the RealVNC web site.

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 Chapter 1: Introducing VNC Enterprise Edition

Connecting from standalone VNC Viewer

You can connect to VNC Server 4.5 from standalone VNC Viewer. This application is freely available to
download and run for any supported platform from the RealVNC web site. Note if you use standalone VNC
Viewer, you cannot:
• Save connections to VNC Address Book. You can still save connections to desktop icons.
• Under Windows, print to a local printer if the host computer is running UNIX or Linux or Mac OS X. You
can only print if the host computer is also running Windows.

Connecting from a web browser

You can connect to VNC Server 4.5 from a Java-enabled web browser. For more information, see Chapter 4,
Connecting From A Web Browser on page 49. Note if you do this, you cannot:
• Print host computer files.
• Exchange files with the host computer.
• Chat with other connected users, or with a host computer user.
• Save connections to VNC Address Book or to desktop icons.
• Scale the host computer’s desktop.

What to read next

VNC Enterprise Edition can be used in many different ways to solve many different kinds of problem. There
is no such thing as a typical VNC Enterprise Edition user.
For example, you may be sitting in front of a host computer and need to know how to set up VNC Server for
multiple incoming connections. Or you may be sitting in front of a client computer and want to know how to
use VNC Viewer to control a remote host. There may or may not be a host computer user for you to
communicate with, or you may be sharing the host computer’s desktop—and therefore control—with other
users. You may be connecting within a corporate network, in which case a system administrator might be
available to help with connection issues. Or you may be helping friends or family over the Internet, and have
to negotiate firewalls and routers on your own.
VNC Enterprise Edition is designed to be as useful out-of-the-box to as many people as possible. However,
there is virtually no limit to the ways in which it can be configured to suit your requirements and environment.
Some chapters in this manual are targeted at more expert users, likely to require the power of changing
options – system administrators setting up VNC Enterprise Edition for virtualization or remote configuration,
for example. Other chapters, especially the first two, should be useful for all users.
• To walk through making your first connection from a client computer running VNC Viewer to a host
computer running VNC Server, see Chapter 2, Getting Started: Connecting A Client To A Host
Computer on page 15.
• To learn how to use features of VNC Viewer to enhance your experience of controlling a host computer,
read Chapter 3, Using VNC Viewer on page 29.
• If you want to control a host computer from a web browser instead of VNC Viewer, read Chapter 4,
Connecting From A Web Browser on page 49.

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Chapter 1: Introducing VNC Enterprise Edition

• To see how to exchange information between client and host computers, read Chapter 5, Exchanging
Information on page 59.
• To learn how to configure VNC Server on the host computer, and for advanced topics such as running
multiple instances of VNC Server, see Chapter 6, Setting Up VNC Server on page 71.
• By default, VNC Enterprise Edition establishes authenticated, encrypted connections. To learn more
about security, and how to relax the rules if you consider it safe to do so, read Chapter 7, Security on
page 93.

14 VNC Enterprise Edition 4.5 User Guide

 2
Getting Started: Connecting A Client
To A Host Computer

This chapter aims to help the majority of users get started making their first connection from a client
computer running VNC Viewer to a host computer running VNC Server.
Connecting is usually a straightforward process but because computer networks must be secure problems
can occasionally occur. This chapter offers help for the most common connection issues but it may also be
necessary to consult the RealVNC web site, or contact Support. Alternatively, if you are connecting within a
private network such as a corporate Local Area Network (LAN), consult your system administrator.
Note: This chapter assumes both host and client computers are set up correctly. For more information, see
Getting VNC Enterprise Edition ready to use on page 10.

Contents
Step 1: Ensure VNC Server is running on the host computer 16

Step 2: Start VNC Viewer on the client computer 17

Step 3: Identify VNC Server on the host computer 17

Step 4: Select an encryption option 19

Step 5: Connect and authenticate to VNC Server 19

Troubleshooting connection 21

VNC Enterprise Edition 4.5 User Guide 15

Chapter 2: Getting Started: Connecting A Client To A Host Computer

Step 1: Ensure VNC Server is running on the host

computer
VNC Server may already be running on the host computer, but to make sure, and if you have access, follow
the appropriate instructions for the host computer’s platform below. If you do not have access, contact your
system administrator or a host computer user.
• Under Windows, select RealVNC > VNC Server from the Start menu, or double-click the VNC Viewer
desktop icon, if available. You may be required to confirm this operation.
• Under UNIX or Linux, either:
— Type x0vncserver in a Terminal window, and press the ENTER key.
— Select Applications > Internet > VNC Server (User Mode) from the menu system, if available.
• Under Mac OS X, navigate to the Applications > RealVNC folder, and double-click the VNC Server
program. You may be required to confirm this operation. A VNC Server icon appears in the Status
Bar. Click this icon and select Status from the shortcut menu.
The VNC Server Status dialog opens:

(Windows XP)

If the green tick is visible, VNC Server should be running and configured correctly for new connections.
If an amber warning or red error is shown instead, click the [details] link that appears in the Details
area, and start with Troubleshooting connection on page 21.

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 Chapter 2: Getting Started: Connecting A Client To A Host Computer

Step 2: Start VNC Viewer on the client computer

To start VNC Viewer on the client computer:
• Under Windows, select RealVNC > VNC Viewer from the Start menu.
• Under UNIX or Linux, either:
— Type vncviewer in a Terminal window, and press the ENTER key.
— Select Applications > Internet > VNC Viewer from the menu system, if available.
• Under Mac OS X, navigate to the Applications > RealVNC folder, and double-click the VNC Viewer
program.
The VNC Viewer: New Connection dialog opens:

(Windows XP)

Step 3: Identify VNC Server on the host computer

You must uniquely identify VNC Server running on the host computer you want to connect to.
If you are connecting within a private network such as a LAN, enter the network address of the host
computer itself in the VNC Server dropdown. This address can take the following forms:
• A friendly host name for the host computer, for example johndoe. (Note this facility may not be
available.)
• An IP address for the host computer in IPv4 format, for example 192.168.2.187.
• An IP address for the host computer in IPv6 format within square brackets, for example
[2001:db8::1]. (IPv6 may not be available.)
If you do not know the network address of the host computer, see Connecting within a private network on
page 21.
If you are connecting over the Internet, for example to friends or family, and the host computer is protected
by a router, then enter the network address of the router in the VNC Server dropdown instead. If you do not
know the network address of a router, see Connecting over the Internet on page 22.

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Chapter 2: Getting Started: Connecting A Client To A Host Computer

In the following example, the host computer is identified by an IPv4 network address:

(Windows XP)

Typically, a host computer needs no further identification. This is because, by default, VNC Server listens for
network communications on a registered port, 5900. Carry on from Step 4: Select an encryption option on
page 19.
There may be circumstances, however, when VNC Server is listening on a different port. This can occur if
the host computer is running UNIX or Linux, or if more than one instance of VNC Server is running on the
host computer. If, when you try to connect, you see an error message similar to the following:

then you probably need to qualify the network address with a port number. For more information, see
Qualifying a network address with a port number on page 24.

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 Chapter 2: Getting Started: Connecting A Client To A Host Computer

Step 4: Select an encryption option

VNC Enterprise Edition is designed to be completely secure. By default, all communication between client
and host computer is encrypted. For more information on security, see Chapter 7, Security on page 93.
By default, in the VNC Viewer: New Connection dialog, the Encryption dropdown is set to Let VNC
Server choose:

(Windows XP)

It is recommended you retain this setting unless you have a good reason to turn encryption off.
Note: Encryption is ultimately controlled by VNC Server, whose default behavior is to encrypt. Selecting an
alternative option such as Prefer off may not, in any case, have any effect. For more information, see
Relaxing the encryption rules on page 105.

Step 5: Connect and authenticate to VNC Server

To connect to VNC Server, click the Connect button at the bottom of the VNC Viewer: New Connection
dialog:

(Windows XP)

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Chapter 2: Getting Started: Connecting A Client To A Host Computer

If this is the first time you have connected to VNC Server from this computer, a message similar to the
following appears:

If you have access to the host computer, you can check that VNC Viewer is connecting to the correct host
computer by comparing this signature with that displayed in the VNC Server Status dialog:

If you see any other message referring to the VNC Server signature, it is recommended you do not connect.
For more information on this security feature, see Uniquely identifying VNC Server on page 114.
Click the Yes button to continue connecting to VNC Server. You may be required to enter a user name and
password:

(Windows XP)

If so, then by default enter the credentials of a user with administrative privileges on the host computer. If
you:
• Do not know this information and have access to the host computer, you may be able to find out, or
alternatively register your own credentials.
• Know that the primary user account does not have a password set (likely for friends and family only), you
must change the default authentication mechanism, or disable authentication altogether.
For more information, start with Authenticating connections to VNC Server on page 94. If you do not have
access, contact a system administrator or a host computer user.
Click the OK button. If the connection is successful, VNC Viewer displays the host computer’s desktop in a
new window on the client computer. Carry on from Connected: The VNC Viewer experience on page 36. If
the connection fails for any reason, start with Troubleshooting connection on page 21.
Note: Once connected, you can save a connection so you can quickly reconnect in future without having to
remember the network address and authentication credentials. For more information, see Appendix A,
Saving Connections on page 117.

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 Chapter 2: Getting Started: Connecting A Client To A Host Computer

Troubleshooting connection
The following sections provide additional information to help you connect.
If after reading this you still cannot connect, or if you want more information, consult the RealVNC web site,
or contact Support. For details of these resources, see About This Guide on page 7.
If all else fails, and providing a host computer user is present, you can ask that person to connect to you. For
more information, see Establishing a reverse connection on page 104.

Connecting within a private network

If both client and host computers are managed within a closed network environment such as a Local Area
Network (LAN) or Virtual Private Network (VPN), you are connecting within a private network. This is
common in corporate and other enterprise environments, and may also be the case if you are connecting
two computers at home.
To connect within a private network, enter the network address of the host computer itself in the VNC
Viewer: New Connection dialog, for example:

(Windows XP)

If you do not know the network address of the host computer:

• And you do not have access to it, you will need to consult your system administrator or a host computer
user.
• And you do have access to it, follow the appropriate instructions for the host computer’s platform below.

Windows

To discover the network address of a host computer, hover the mouse over the VNC Server icon in the
Notification area. A tooltip containing a network address appears:

(Windows XP)

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Chapter 2: Getting Started: Connecting A Client To A Host Computer

UNIX or Linux

To discover the network address of a host computer, hover the mouse over the VNC Server icon in the
Notification Area. A tooltip containing a network address appears:

(Ubuntu 8.10 Linux)

Note: Under some versions of UNIX, a VNC Server icon is not available. You will have to use system tools to
discover the network address.

Mac OS X

To discover the network address of a host computer, hover the mouse over the VNC Server icon in the
Status Bar. A tooltip containing a network address appears:

(Mac OS X 10.5)

Connecting over the Internet

If you are connecting over the Internet, for example to friends and family, or in to the office on the move, it is
likely that the host computer will be protected by a router or similar device acting as a communication
gateway and public interface.
To connect over the Internet, you must enter the network address of the router in the VNC Viewer: New
Connection dialog, for example:

(Windows XP)

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 Chapter 2: Getting Started: Connecting A Client To A Host Computer

If you do not know the network address of a host computer’s router:

• And you do not have access to the host computer, you will need to ask a host computer user to follow the
instructions below, or to use a service such as www.whatismyip.com.
• And you do have access to the host computer, follow the instructions below.
To discover the network address of a router:
1. Open the VNC Server Status dialog.
2. In the Details area, click the [test] link:

The VNC Server Connection Test dialog appears.

3. Click the Start button. RealVNC attempts to contact the host computer over the Internet. Providing the
host computer is connected to the Internet, the network address of an intermediary device is revealed:

(Windows XP)

Configuring a router to forward network communications

In a typical home or small office environment, a router assigns a private network address to an internal
computer. You should also be aware that VNC Server listens for network communications on a particular
port. The router must be configured to forward communications from VNC Viewer to the correct port at the
correct private network address. This procedure is known as port forwarding.
Note: Port forwarding instructions are specific to routers. If you do not have access to the host computer,
ask a host computer user to consult the manufacturer’s documentation, or visit www.portforward.com.
Note that a router may act as a public interface to more than one computer in a home or small office
environment. If you want to connect to multiple host computers, then VNC Server must be running on each
and listening on a different port. The router must be configured to distinguish between host computers using
port numbers.

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Chapter 2: Getting Started: Connecting A Client To A Host Computer

Consider the following example:

A. Router with a network address assigned by an ISP, for example 82.2.12.81. B. Host computer with a network
address assigned by the router, for example 192.168.0.1. VNC Server is listening on the default port, 5900. C. Host
computer with a network address assigned by the router, for example 192.168.0.2. VNC Server has been configured to
listen on port 5901. D. The Internet.

In this scenario, the router must be configured to forward port 5900 to host computer B at 192.168.0.1 and
port 5901 to host computer C at 192.168.0.2.
When you connect to either host computer from VNC Viewer, you must enter the network address of the
router: 82.2.12.81. In addition, to connect to host computer C, you must qualify the router’s network
address with the port number: 82.2.12.81:1. To find out why this is, see Qualifying a network address
with a port number on page 24.

Qualifying a network address with a port number

VNC Server listens for network communications on a particular port. By default, and providing it is available
when VNC Server starts, this is port 5900 for connection requests. This port is registered for use by VNC
Server with the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA).
Note: For more information on ports, see Configuring network communications on page 86.
If VNC Server is listening on any other port, you must qualify the network address of the host computer (or
router) with the port number when you connect from VNC Viewer, for example:

(Windows XP)

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 Chapter 2: Getting Started: Connecting A Client To A Host Computer

If you know that VNC Server is listening on a port between 5901 and 5999, append a colon (:) and an
identifying number (1 through 99) to the network address, for example:
johndoe:1
192.168.2.187:1
[2001:db8::1]:1
If you know that VNC Server is listening on any other port, append a double colon (::) and the full port
number to the network address, for example:
johndoe::6001
192.168.2.187::6001
[2001:db8::1]::6001
If you do not know on which port VNC Server is listening:
• And you do not have access to the host computer, you will need to consult your system administrator or
a host computer user.
• And you do have access to the host computer, follow the appropriate instructions for its platform below.
Windows

To see whether VNC Server is listening on a port other than 5900, double-click the VNC Server icon in the
Notification area to open the VNC Server Status dialog. If applicable, this information is appended to the
network address in the Details area:

In this example, VNC Server is running on host computer 192.168.2.133 and listening on port 80.

Unix or Linux

To see whether VNC Server is listening on a port other than 5900, click the VNC Server icon in the
Notification Area to open the VNC Server Status dialog. If applicable, this information is appended to the
network address in the Details area:

In this example, VNC Server is running on host computer 192.168.2.187 and listening on port 5901.

Mac OS X

To see whether VNC Server is listening on a port other than 5900, click the VNC Server icon and, from the
shortcut menu, select Status to open the VNC Server Status dialog. If applicable, this information is
appended to the network address in the Details area:

In this example, VNC Server is running on host computer 192.168.2.168 and listening on port 6001.

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Allowing network communications through a firewall

If the host computer is protected by a firewall, then the firewall must be configured to allow incoming network
communications to the port on which VNC Server is listening. To find out which port this is, see Qualifying a
network address with a port number on page 24.
The firewall might be automatically configured by the operating system of the host computer. If not, you will
probably see the following error message when you connect from VNC Viewer:

The instructions for adding exceptions for ports are specific to firewalls. If you do not have access to the host
computer, ask a host computer user to consult the manufacturer’s documentation.

Miscellaneous connection messages

This section explains various error or warning messages you might see.

Failing to authenticate correctly

If you see the following warning message:

then you have not authenticated yourself correctly to VNC Server. Note that user names and passwords are
case-sensitive. Click the Yes button to try again up to four more times.
If you do not know the correct user name or password, and you do not have access to the host computer,
you will need to consult your system administrator or a host computer user. If you do have access to the host
computer, and sufficient privileges to configure VNC Server, you may be able to relax the authentication
rules. For more information, see Relaxing the authentication rules on page 99.

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Failing to authenticate as ‘you’

If you see the following warning message:

then VNC Server has been configured to authenticate a VNC Viewer user with the credentials used for
logging on to the operating system of the host computer. Your user name and password for logging on to the
host computer, however, have not been added to the authentication list.
If this is the case and you do not have access to the host computer, you will need to consult your system
administrator or a host computer user. If you do have access to the host computer, and sufficient privileges
to configure VNC Server, you may be able to register your credentials. For more information, see Managing
users and groups in the authentication list on page 98.

Connecting from an unauthorized computer

If you see the following error message:

then it could be that VNC Server has been configured to prevent connections from the client computer you
are using.
If this is the case and you do not have access to the host computer, you will need to consult your system
administrator or a host computer user. If you do have access to the host computer, and sufficient privileges
to configure VNC Server, you may be able to unblock your client computer. For more information, see
Preventing connections from particular client computers on page 106.
Alternatively, you may be able to connect from a different client computer.

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Being rejected by a host computer user

If you see the following warning message:

then VNC Server has been configured to display connection prompts to a host computer user, and your
request has either been explicitly rejected, or has timed out (this could either be because the prompt was
deliberately ignored, or because no host computer user is actually present).
If this is the case and you do not have access to the host computer, you will need to consult your system
administrator or a host computer user. If you do have access to the host computer, and sufficient privileges
to configure VNC Server, you may be able to bypass host computer connection prompts. For more
information, see Preventing particular users connecting on page 108.

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Using VNC Viewer

This chapter explains how to connect to VNC Server and control a host computer using VNC Viewer, and
how VNC Viewer features can enhance your productivity while a connection is in progress.
Note: This chapter assumes you are using fully-featured—and not standalone—VNC Viewer. For more
information, see VNC Enterprise Edition 4.5 connectivity on page 12.

Contents
Starting VNC Viewer 30

Configuring VNC Viewer before you connect 31

Connecting to a host computer 35

Connected: The VNC Viewer experience 36

Using the VNC Viewer toolbar 38

Using the VNC Viewer shortcut menu 39

Using the VNC Viewer Properties dialog 41

Managing the current connection 42

Changing the appearance and behavior of VNC Viewer 43

Restricting access to functionality 45

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Starting VNC Viewer

To start VNC Viewer on the client computer:
• Under Windows, select RealVNC > VNC Viewer from the Start menu, or double-click the VNC Viewer
desktop icon, if available.
• Under UNIX or Linux, either:
— Type vncviewer in a Terminal window, and press the ENTER key.
— Select Applications > Internet > VNC Viewer from the menu system, if available.
• Under Mac OS X, navigate to the Applications > RealVNC folder, and double-click the VNC Viewer
program.
The VNC Viewer: New Connection dialog opens:

(Windows XP)

VNC Viewer is ready to connect to VNC Server out-of-the-box. However, if you want to configure it, note that
some properties must be configured before you connect. For more information, see Configuring VNC
Viewer before you connect on page 31.
To carry on connecting to a host computer, see Connecting to a host computer on page 35.

Starting Listening VNC Viewer

You can start VNC Viewer in such a way that it does not connect to VNC Server but rather waits for VNC
Server to connect to it. This is called a reverse connection. For more information about this feature, and why
you might want to use it in conjunction with a host computer user, see Establishing a reverse connection on
page 104.
To start Listening VNC Viewer:
• Under Windows, select RealVNC > Advanced > Start Listening VNC Viewer from the Start menu.
• Under UNIX or Linux, type vncviewer -listen in a Terminal window, and press the ENTER key.
Note that the Terminal window must stay open while a reverse connection is in progress.
• Under Mac OS X, navigate to the Applications > RealVNC folder, and double-click the VNC Viewer
program. The VNC Viewer application menu opens. Select VNC Viewer > Launch Listening VNC
Viewer.

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Under Windows or Mac OS X, a VNC Viewer icon is displayed in the Notification area and Dock
respectively. Hover the mouse cursor over the icon to confirm that Listening VNC Viewer is running:

(Windows XP)

Under Windows, Listening VNC Viewer has a shortcut menu:

(Windows XP)

You do not need to configure Listening VNC Viewer, but if you want to do so before a connection is
established, select Default Options to open the VNC Viewer Defaults dialog. This dialog contains the
same properties as the VNC Viewer Properties dialog. For more information, start with Configuring VNC
Viewer before you connect on page 31.
Note you can select New Connection to open the VNC Viewer: New Connection dialog and use VNC
Viewer to establish a connection to VNC Server in the normal way. Carry on from Connecting to a host
computer on page 35.
If a reverse connection is successfully established, Listening VNC Viewer displays the host computer’s
desktop in a new window on the client computer in exactly the same way as VNC Viewer. Carry on from
Connected: The VNC Viewer experience on page 36.
If a reverse connection is not successful, start with Establishing a reverse connection on page 104.

Configuring VNC Viewer before you connect

VNC Viewer is ready to connect to VNC Server and control a host computer out-of-the-box. You do not need
to configure it. However, you can change almost any aspect to suit your requirements and environment if you
wish.
Some properties must be configured before you connect. Most, however, can be configured once you are
connected, and changes applied to the current connection. By default, any changes you make are applied to
all future connections as well.

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To configure VNC Viewer before you connect, click the Options button on the VNC Viewer: New
Connection dialog. For more information on this dialog, see Starting VNC Viewer on page 30. The VNC
Viewer Properties dialog opens:

(Windows XP. In this example, the dialog is in Advanced mode.)

The first time you open this dialog, it opens in Basic mode, and only one tab is available. Click the
Advanced button in the bottom left corner to switch to Advanced mode and see all the tabs in the example
above.
The Connection and Printing tabs are only available before you connect. The other tabs are available all
the time (in Advanced mode). For more information, see Using the VNC Viewer Properties dialog on
page 41.
By default, any changes you make are remembered for all future connections to any host computer. To apply
them just to the next connection, turn off Use these settings for all new connections.

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Configuring connections
You can configure connections using the properties on the Connection tab:

(Windows XP)

Disconnecting other users

By default, if other users are connected when you connect, you share control of the host computer’s
desktop. Operations may occur unexpectedly!
To disconnect other users when you connect, turn off Shared connection (do not disconnect other VNC
Viewers). Note that you may be disconnected in turn.

Disabling single sign-on (Windows and Mac OS X only)

By default, if VNC Server specifies Single sign-on as its authentication mechanism, then you may be
able to connect without supplying a user name and password. This is because you have already
successfully authenticated when logging on to the client computer. For more information, see Relaxing the
authentication rules on page 99.
You can disable this feature if you want to connect to VNC Server using a different user name and password.
This might give you access to more VNC functionality. To do this, turn off Use single sign-on if VNC Server
supports it. You will need to know the user name and password of a valid host computer user.

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Using a proxy server

If you are connecting over the Internet and your client computer uses a proxy server, you must tell VNC
Viewer about the proxy server. You can either:
• Use the proxy server already set up for your system. To do this, choose Use Microsoft Internet
Explorer proxy settings. (This option has a different name under UNIX or Linux and Mac OS X.)
• Set up a new proxy server. To do this, choose Use these proxy settings, and enter the details.

Configuring printing
You can configure printing using the properties on the Printing tab:

(Windows XP)

By default, when you connect, the client computer’s default printer (if it has one) is shared with the host
computer and made its default while the connection is in progress. This means you can print host computer
files directly to a printer attached to your client computer. For more information about this feature, see
Printing host computer files to a local printer on page 60.
You can print but choose not to change the host computer’s default printer. This means you will have to
explicitly select your printer when you print. To do this, turn off Make it the default printer on VNC Server.
To disable printing, choose Don’t share a printer.

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Connecting to a host computer

This section summarizes how to connect from a client computer running VNC Viewer to a host computer
running VNC Server. For a step-by-step guide, see Chapter 2, Getting Started: Connecting A Client To A
Host Computer on page 15.
1. Start VNC Viewer on the client computer. The VNC Viewer: New Connection dialog opens.
2. In the VNC Server dropdown, enter a network address for the host computer (this may be a router),
qualified, if applicable, by the port number on which VNC Server is listening, for example
192.168.2.187:1.
3. From the Encryption dropdown, select an encryption option, or retain the default: Let VNC Server
choose.

4. Click the Connect button.

You may be asked to confirm a signature that uniquely identifies VNC Server. You may also be asked to
authenticate yourself to VNC Server.
If the connection is successful, VNC Viewer displays the host computer’s desktop in a new window on the
client computer. Carry on from Connected: The VNC Viewer experience on page 36. If the connection fails
for any reason, start with Troubleshooting connection on page 21.
Note: Once connected, you can save a connection so you can quickly reconnect in future without having to
remember the network address and authentication credentials. For more information, see Appendix A,
Saving Connections on page 117.

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Connected: The VNC Viewer experience

The rest of the sections in this chapter assume you are successfully connected to a host computer. If not,
see Connecting to a host computer on page 35.
When a connection is established, VNC Viewer displays the host computer’s desktop in a new window on
the client computer:

A. Desktop of a client computer running Windows XP. B. VNC Viewer displaying the desktop of a host computer
running Ubuntu 8.10 Linux.

Note: If the host computer is running UNIX or Linux, VNC Viewer may display a virtual desktop instead, in
which case what you see is not the desktop of a host computer user. For more information on this feature,
see Running multiple instances of VNC Server on page 76.

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Controlling the host computer using your keyboard and mouse

The client computer’s keyboard and mouse are now shared with the host computer. This means that:
• Moving the mouse and clicking within the VNC Viewer window affects the host computer and not the
client.
• Moving the mouse and clicking outside the VNC Viewer window, or on the VNC Viewer title bar or
window buttons (Minimize, Maximize, and Close), affects the client computer and not the host.
The same applies to the client computer’s keyboard with the exception of the function key that opens the
shortcut menu (F8 by default), and the CTRL-ALT-DELETE key combination. These are interpreted by the
client computer. Alternative ways of sending these are available; see Using the VNC Viewer shortcut menu
on page 39 for more information. Under Windows, you can configure VNC Viewer to specify that other key
presses are also interpreted by the client computer; see Changing the appearance and behavior of VNC
Viewer on page 43 for more information.
Note: If your keyboard and mouse have no effect on the host computer, they may have been disabled. For
more information, see Restricting access to functionality on page 45.
Note that it is possible for the client and host computers to have different types of keyboard. Not all the keys
available to a host computer user may be available to you, and some keys with the same name may have
different behavior. This is especially likely if you are connecting to a Mac OS X host from a Windows or Linux
client with a PC keyboard, or vice versa. For more information on key mapping, consult the RealVNC web
site.
If the client and host computers have different numbers of mouse buttons, you can configure VNC Viewer to
emulate those you do not have. For more information, see Changing the appearance and behavior of VNC
Viewer on page 43.
Note: Other VNC Viewer users may be connected to the host computer and controlling it at the same time
as you. In addition, a host computer user may be present. Operations may occur unexpectedly!

Interacting with VNC Server

When you connect, a VNC Server icon is displayed on the host computer’s desktop, shaded black:

(Windows XP client computer, Ubuntu 8.10 Linux host)

Note: Under UNIX or Linux, in some circumstances, the VNC Server icon is not shaded black. Under some
versions of UNIX, it is not available at all.
The VNC Server icon confirms that VNC Server is running on the host computer, provides information to
help VNC Viewer users connect, confirms that at least one VNC Viewer user is connected (the icon turns
black), and has a shortcut menu to perform useful operations. All this information and functionality is
available to you as a connected user. For more information, see Working with VNC Server on page 79.
Note that the VNC Server icon also provides access to VNC Server properties. However, you cannot
configure VNC Server unless logged on as a host computer user with administrative privileges. For more
information, see Authenticating connections to VNC Server on page 94.

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Using the VNC Viewer toolbar

VNC Viewer has a toolbar to facilitate common operations.
Note: If you cannot access the VNC Viewer toolbar, it may have been disabled. For more information, see
Changing the appearance and behavior of VNC Viewer on page 43.
Under Windows and UNIX or Linux, the VNC Viewer toolbar is located at the top center of the VNC Viewer
window. To use it, hover the mouse over the hot area:

(Windows XP)

Note: Under Mac OS X, the VNC Viewer toolbar is located across the top of the window and is always
visible. Buttons may appear slightly different to those in the example below, but the behavior is the same.

The following table explains the effect of clicking each toolbar button.

Button name Explanation

New Connection Opens the VNC Viewer: New Connection dialog. You can start a new
connection to the same host computer, or to a different one. Carry on from
Connecting to a host computer on page 35.
Save Connection You can save the current connection so you can quickly reconnect in future
without having to remember the network address and your authentication
credentials. For more information, see Appendix A, Saving Connections on
page 117.
Close Connection Prompts you to close the current connection (and the VNC Viewer window).

Options Opens the VNC Viewer Properties dialog. You can configure most aspects of
VNC Viewer while the current connection is in progress. For more information,
see Using the VNC Viewer Properties dialog on page 41.
Note that some properties must be configured before you connect. For more
information, see Configuring VNC Viewer before you connect on page 31.
Full Screen Mode Toggles full screen mode on and off.

Send Ctrl-Alt-Del Sends the CTRL-ALT-DELETE command to the host computer. (Pressing this
key combination would be interpreted by the client computer.) You could
alternatively press SHIFT-CTRL-ALT-DELETE.
Send Files To VNC Opens a dialog where you can browse to the location of client computer files to
Server send to the host computer. For more information, see Transferring files between
client and host computers on page 62.

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Button name Explanation

Fetch Files From This option is only available if the host computer has made files available for the
VNC Server client computer to fetch. A dialog opens where you can browse to a location to
put shared host computer files. For more information, see Transferring files
between client and host computers on page 62.
Start Chat Session Opens dialogs enabling you to chat with other VNC Viewer users connected to
the same host computer, or with a host computer user. For more information,
see Communicating securely using VNC Chat on page 67.
Connection Opens a dialog displaying technical information about the current connection,
Information such as the encryption method and compression format.
encryption The connection is encrypted/not encrypted (only one of these buttons is shown).

connection speed/ Hovering over this toolbar button reveals the current connection speed. For
activity more information on performance, see Changing the appearance and behavior
of VNC Viewer on page 43.

Using the VNC Viewer shortcut menu

VNC Viewer has a shortcut menu that facilitates many of the same common operations as the VNC Viewer
toolbar. For more information on this, see Using the VNC Viewer toolbar on page 38.
Note: If you cannot access the VNC Viewer shortcut menu, it may have been disabled. For more
information, see Changing the appearance and behavior of VNC Viewer on page 43.
By default, to open the shortcut menu, press the F8 key (you may need to hold down the FN key under Mac
OS X):

(Windows XP. Some standard Windows menu options have been omitted from this example.)

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Note: Under Mac OS X, more Send <key> options are available to send Mac-specific commands to a host
computer also running Mac OS X.
The following table explains the effect of selecting menu options that do not have equivalent toolbar buttons.

Shortcut menu option Explanation

Relative Pointer Motion Turn this option on if the host computer’s mouse cursor appears to be behaving abnormally,
for example by accelerating too fast.
Ctrl Turn this option on to simulate holding down the CTRL key.
Alt Turn this option on to simulate holding down the ALT key.
Send F8 Sends an F8 command to the host computer. (By default, F8 opens the shortcut menu; see
Changing the VNC Viewer shortcut menu key on page 45 for information on choosing a
different key.) You could alternatively press F8 twice in quick succession.
Refresh Screen Refreshes the display of the host computer’s desktop.
About Displays VNC Viewer version information. You may need this if you contact Support.

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Using the VNC Viewer Properties dialog

The VNC Viewer Properties dialog allows you to configure VNC Viewer while a connection is in progress:

(Windows XP. In this example, the dialog is in Advanced mode.)

Note: Some VNC Viewer properties must be configured before you connect. For more information, see
Configuring VNC Viewer before you connect on page 31.

To open the VNC Viewer Properties dialog, click the Options toolbar button, or select Options from the
shortcut menu. (If the VNC Viewer toolbar or shortcut menu are not accessible, see Changing the
appearance and behavior of VNC Viewer on page 43.)
The first time you open this dialog, it opens in Basic mode, and only one tab is available, containing the most
common properties. Click the Advanced button in the bottom left corner to switch to Advanced mode and
see all the tabs in the example above. Note that the Expert tab is recommended for expert users only.
By default, any changes you make apply both to the current connection and to all future connections to any
host computer. To apply changes just to the current connection, turn off Use these settings for all new
connections first.
The rest of the sections in this chapter explain the properties in this dialog.

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Managing the current connection

You can manage aspects of the current connection while it is in progress.
Note: Most of the operations described in this section are facilitated by the VNC Viewer toolbar. For more
information on this, see Using the VNC Viewer toolbar on page 38.

Saving the current connection

You can save the current connection so you can quickly reconnect in future without having to remember the
network address and your authentication credentials. In addition, your preferred VNC Viewer environment
for controlling the host computer is automatically recreated.

To save the current connection, click the Save Connection toolbar button. Carry on from Appendix A,
Saving Connections on page 117.

Starting a new connection

You can start a new connection to the same host computer, or to a different one. To do this, click the New
Connection toolbar button. The VNC Viewer: New Connection dialog opens. Carry on from
Connecting to a host computer on page 35.
By default, any properties you have configured are inherited by the new connection. To prevent this, open
the VNC Viewer Properties dialog and turn off Use these settings for all new connections first. For more
information on this dialog, see Using the VNC Viewer Properties dialog on page 41.

Closing the current connection

You can quickly close the current connection. To do this, click the Close Connection toolbar button. You
are prompted to confirm the operation before the VNC Viewer window closes.

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Changing the appearance and behavior of VNC Viewer

By default, when a connection is established:
• VNC Viewer does not scale the host computer’s desktop. Instead, scroll bars are added to the window if
the desktop is too large.
• VNC Viewer displays the host computer’s desktop at a color quality appropriate to the network
connection speed.
• Your mouse and keyboard are set to interact with the client and host computers in particular ways.
• The VNC Viewer window is set to a particular size.
• The VNC Viewer toolbar is accessible.
• The VNC Viewer shortcut menu is accessible (by pressing F8).
You can change these defaults by configuring properties on the Display tab of the VNC Viewer Properties
dialog. For more information on this dialog, see Using the VNC Viewer Properties dialog on page 41.

(Windows XP)

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Scaling the host computer’s desktop

You can scale the host computer’s desktop, which might make it easier to navigate and to use.
To scale the desktop to the size of the VNC Viewer window, choose Scale to window size.
To scale it to a custom size, choose Custom scaling, and specify a width and height for the VNC Viewer
window. Turn on Preserve aspect ratio to automatically calculate a height for a given width, and vice versa.
Note you cannot resize a custom-sized VNC Viewer window using your mouse.

Trading performance for picture quality

You may be able to enhance the performance of VNC Viewer by reducing the number of colors used to
display the host computer’s desktop. To do this, turn off Adapt to network speed (recommended), and
move the slider towards Best compression.
If you want to enhance performance but retain full color, turn on Always use best available color quality.
Performance is enhanced by other means, for example by reducing the amount of information sent about
the mouse cursor’s position. Note this may make mouse cursor movements appear jerky on the host
computer.
Note: You can explicitly reduce the amount of mouse cursor position information sent by turning on Rate-
limit mouse move events. This property is on the Inputs tab. This may also be useful if you are connecting
over a mobile or dial-up network.

Configuring your mouse (Windows and Mac OS X only)

You can emulate buttons missing because your mouse has fewer buttons than the host computer’s mouse.
To do this, turn on Enable 3-button mouse emulation. To emulate the missing middle button, click the left
and right mouse buttons simultaneously. Under Mac OS X, you can also, or alternatively, turn on Enable 2-
button mouse emulation. To emulate the missing right button, hold down the CTRL key and press the
button. Note these properties are on the Inputs tab.

Configuring your keyboard (Windows only)

By default, and with the exception of CTRL-ALT-DELETE and the function key used to open the shortcut
menu, key presses affect the host computer and not the client. To reverse this behavior for the application-
level keys listed below, turn off Pass special keys directly to VNC Server. Note this property is on the
Inputs tab.
Affected keys/combinations: WINDOWS (also known as START), PRINT SCREEN, ALT-TAB, ALT-ESCAPE,
CTRL-ESCAPE.

Changing the size of the VNC Viewer window

You can use the mouse to resize the VNC Viewer window in the expected way for the platform of the client
computer. The window’s Application buttons (Minimize, Maximize, and Close) also work in the expected
way.

To toggle full screen mode on and off, click the Full Screen Mode VNC Viewer toolbar button.

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Disabling the VNC Viewer toolbar (Windows and UNIX or Linux only)
You can disable the VNC Viewer toolbar. For more information on this, see Using the VNC Viewer toolbar on
page 38. To do this, turn off Enable toolbar.
Note that if you disable the VNC Viewer shortcut menu as well you will not be able to access the VNC Viewer
toolbar again while the current connection is in progress.

Disabling the VNC Viewer shortcut menu (Windows and UNIX or Linux
only)
You can disable the VNC Viewer shortcut menu. For more information on this, see Using the VNC Viewer
shortcut menu on page 39. To do this, select none from the Menu key dropdown. Note this property is on
the Inputs tab.
Note that if you disable the VNC Viewer toolbar as well you will not be able to access the VNC Viewer
shortcut menu again while the current connection is in progress.

Changing the VNC Viewer shortcut menu key

You can change the function key used to open the shortcut menu. To do this, select a function key from the
Menu key dropdown. Note this property is on the Inputs tab. The shortcut menu updates to reflect the fact
that you can no longer press the chosen key to send a command to the host computer.

Restricting access to functionality

By default, while a connection is in progress, you should be able to:
• Control the host computer using your keyboard and mouse.
• Print host computer files directly to a local printer.
• Exchange files with the host computer.
• Copy and paste text between applications running on the client and host computers.
• Chat with other VNC Viewer users connected to the same host computer, or with a host computer user.
VNC Server may have been configured to prevent some or all of these operations. For more information, see
Restricting functionality for connected users on page 90. In addition, VNC Viewer might have been
configured to disable printing before the connection started.
You can restrict access to VNC Enterprise Edition functionality while the connection is in progress by
configuring properties on the Inputs tab of the VNC Viewer Properties dialog. For more information on this
dialog, see Using the VNC Viewer Properties dialog on page 41. You might want to do this if you are
watching a demonstration on the host computer, for example, and want to prevent inadvertent interruption.

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Note: You can enable functionality again at any time. To prevent this for the current connection only, disable
the VNC Viewer toolbar and shortcut menu. For more information, see Changing the appearance and
behavior of VNC Viewer on page 43.

(Windows XP)

Making VNC Viewer ‘view only’

You can quickly prevent all interchange with the host computer, making VNC Viewer ‘view only’. To do this,
select Disabled (view-only mode) from the Inputs dropdown.

Disabling your keyboard

You can disable the client computer’s keyboard. To do this, turn off Enable keyboard input.

Disabling your mouse

You can disable the client computer’s mouse. To do this, turn off Enable mouse input.

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Disabling file transfer

You can disable file transfer between client and host computers. To do this, turn off Enable file transfer.
For more information about this feature, see Transferring files between client and host computers on
page 62.

Disabling copy and paste

You can disable copy and paste between applications running on the client and host computers. To do this,
turn off Share clipboard with VNC Server.
For more information about this feature, see Copying and pasting text between client and host computers
on page 66.

Disabling VNC Chat

You can disable VNC Chat. To do this, turn off Enable chat. For more information about this feature, see
Communicating securely using VNC Chat on page 67.

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Connecting From A Web Browser

This chapter explains how to connect to VNC Server and control a host computer using VNC Viewer for
Java. All you need to do this is a Java-enabled web browser; you do not need to install or run any programs.
This may be useful if you are at an Internet café, for example.
VNC Viewer for Java establishes an encrypted, authenticated connection to a host computer in the same
way as VNC Viewer. You can use your mouse and keyboard to control the host computer exactly as you
would using VNC Viewer. Note, however, that not all of VNC Viewer’s functionality is available.
Note: For more information on differences with VNC Viewer, start with VNC Enterprise Edition 4.5
connectivity on page 12.

Contents
Connecting to a host computer 50

Connected: The VNC Viewer for Java experience 54

Working with VNC Viewer for Java 55

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Connecting to a host computer

Connecting to a host computer is a two-stage process using VNC Viewer for Java.

Downloading VNC Viewer for Java

The first stage is to download VNC Viewer for Java. To do this:
1. Start a Java-enabled web browser on the client computer. For more information on what this means, see
www.java.com.
2. In the URL bar, enter http:// and a network address for the host computer, qualified by the port num-
ber on which VNC Server is listening for download requests, for example http://
192.168.2.187:5800.
If you do not know a network address for the host computer and you do not have access to it, you will
need to consult your system administrator or a host computer user. If you do have access to the host
computer, follow the instructions in Step 2: Start VNC Viewer on the client computer on page 17. Note
that if you are connecting over a private network, the information you need is displayed in the VNC
Server Status dialog, marked URL:

If you are connecting over the Internet, you will probably need to enter the network address of a router
instead.
By default, VNC Server listens for download requests on port 5800. If the download request fails, it may
be because VNC Server is listening on a different port; see Qualifying a network address with a port
number on page 24 for relevant information. A download request may also fail if the host computer is
protected by a router and/or a firewall and these devices have not been configured to allow access to
VNC Server at the correct port. For more information on this, and connection issues in general, see
Troubleshooting connection on page 21.

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3. If this is the first time you have used VNC Viewer for Java, you may be prompted to trust it:

(Windows XP)

You can do this in complete confidence. However, you can choose not to trust VNC Viewer for Java and
still connect, though note you cannot copy and paste text between applications running on the client and
host computers in the normal way.
In the example above, click the Run button to trust VNC Viewer for Java, and Cancel to continue
connecting without trusting it.
If VNC Viewer for Java successfully downloads, the VNC Viewer: New Connection dialog opens:

(Windows XP. The web browser is Internet Explorer 7.)

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Note that the web browser window must stay open while the connection is in progress.

Connecting to VNC Server

The second stage is to use VNC Viewer for Java to connect to VNC Server. This is the same as connecting
from VNC Viewer.
By default, the VNC Server dropdown on the VNC Viewer: New Connection dialog displays the network
address of the host computer from which VNC Viewer for Java was downloaded, qualified by the port
number on which VNC Server is listening for connection requests (in the example below, the digit 0
corresponds to the default port, 5900):

(Windows XP)

For more information on network addresses and port numbers, see Step 3: Identify VNC Server on the host
computer on page 17.
Note: Providing you chose to trust VNC Viewer for Java when you downloaded it, you can connect to a
different host computer. Enter a valid network address in the VNC Server dropdown, qualified, if applicable,
by the port number on which VNC Server is listening for connection requests.
To continue connecting:
1. From the Encryption dropdown, select an encryption option, or retain the default: Let VNC Server
choose. For more information on this, see Step 4: Select an encryption option on page 19.

2. If you want to configure VNC Viewer for Java before you connect, click the Options button. For informa-
tion on why you might want to do this, see Configuring VNC Viewer for Java before you connect on
page 53.
3. Click the OK button.
You may be asked to confirm a signature that uniquely identifies VNC Server, and to authenticate yourself.
For more information on these issues, see Step 5: Connect and authenticate to VNC Server on page 19.
If the connection is successful, VNC Viewer for Java displays the host computer’s desktop in a new window
on the client computer. Carry on from Connected: The VNC Viewer for Java experience on page 54.
If the connection fails for any reason, start with Troubleshooting connection on page 21.

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Configuring VNC Viewer for Java before you connect

VNC Viewer for Java is ready to connect to VNC Server and control a host computer out-of-the-box. You do
not need to configure it. However, you can change some aspects to suit your requirements and environment
if you wish.
Some properties must be configured before you connect. Most, however, can be configured once you are
connected, and changes applied to the current connection. For more information, see Using the VNC
Viewer for Java Connection Options dialog on page 56.
To configure VNC Viewer for Java before you connect, click the Options button in the VNC Viewer: New
Connection dialog. The VNC Viewer: Connection Options dialog opens:

(Windows XP)

The following properties must be configured before a connection is made:

• To make the connection more secure, choose an alternative to the default key length of 512 bits. This
property is on the Security tab.
• To ensure your privacy at the start of the connection, turn off Shared (don’t disconnect other VNC
Viewers) in order to disconnect other users. This property is on the Misc tab.

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Connected: The VNC Viewer for Java experience

When a connection is established, VNC Viewer for Java displays the host computer’s desktop in a new
window on the client computer:

A. Desktop of a client computer running Windows XP. B. Java-enabled web browser. This window must stay open
while the connection is in progress. C. VNC Viewer for Java displaying the desktop of a host computer running Ubuntu
8.10 Linux.

The client computer’s keyboard and mouse are now shared with the host computer in exactly the same way
as VNC Viewer. For more information, see Controlling the host computer using your keyboard and mouse
on page 37.

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Working with VNC Viewer for Java

You can use VNC Viewer for Java to:
• Control the host computer using your keyboard and mouse.
• Copy and paste text between applications running on the client and host computers.
• Trade performance for picture quality while the connection is in progress.
• Restrict access to functionality while the connection is in progress.
See the sections below for more information on these issues. For a summary of functionality that is not
available, see Connecting from a web browser on page 13.

Using the VNC Viewer for Java shortcut menu

VNC Viewer for Java has a shortcut menu to facilitate common operations.
Note: VNC Viewer for Java does not have a toolbar.
To open the shortcut menu, press the F8 key (you may need to hold down the FN key under Mac OS X):

(Windows XP)

The following table explains the effect of selecting these menu options.

Shortcut menu option Explanation

Exit VNC Viewer Closes VNC Viewer for Java.

Clipboard Opens the VNC clipboard dialog. You can preview the contents of the Clipboard and,
providing copy and paste is enabled, paste it to an application running either on the client or
on the host computer. For more information, see Copying and pasting on page 57.
Note that if you chose not to trust VNC Viewer for Java when you downloaded it, you can
only copy and paste text between the two computers via this dialog.
Send F8 Sends an F8 command to the host computer. (F8 opens the shortcut menu.)

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Shortcut menu option Explanation

Send Ctrl-Alt-Del Sends the CTRL-ALT-DELETE command to the host computer. (Pressing this key
combination would be interpreted by the client computer.)
Refresh screen Refreshes the display of the host computer’s desktop.
New connection Opens the VNC Viewer: New Connection dialog. You can start a new connection to the
same host computer, or to a different one, using the same web browser session. You do not
need to download VNC Viewer for Java again. For more information, see Connecting to
VNC Server on page 52.
Options Opens the VNC Viewer: Connection Options dialog. You can configure most aspects of
VNC Viewer for Java while the current connection is in progress. For more information, see
Using the VNC Viewer for Java Connection Options dialog on page 56.
Note that some properties must be configured before you connect. For more information,
see Configuring VNC Viewer for Java before you connect on page 53.
Connection info Opens a dialog displaying technical information about the current connection, such as the
encryption method and compression format.
About VNC Viewer Displays information about VNC Viewer for Java.
Dismiss menu Closes the shortcut menu.

Using the VNC Viewer for Java Connection Options dialog

The VNC Viewer: Connection Options dialog enables you to configure VNC Viewer for Java while the
current connection is in progress:

(Windows XP)

Note: Some VNC Viewer for Java properties must be configured before you connect. For more information,
see Configuring VNC Viewer for Java before you connect on page 53.
To open the VNC Viewer: Connection Options dialog, select Options from the shortcut menu. For more
information on this menu, see Using the VNC Viewer for Java shortcut menu on page 55.
The following sections explain the properties in this dialog.

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Trading performance for picture quality

You may be able to enhance the performance of VNC Viewer for Java by reducing the number of colors used
to display the host computer’s desktop. To do this, turn off Auto Select and choose either 256, 64, or 8
colors. These properties are on the Encoding tab.
You can also choose an alternative to the default ZRLE encoding. The Hextile and Raw encodings require
increasingly less processing power to display the host computer’s desktop, though note they also require
progressively more bandwidth.

Restricting access to functionality

You can quickly prevent all interchange with the host computer, making VNC Viewer for Java ‘view only’. To
do this, turn on View only (ignore mouse & keyboard). This property is on the Inputs tab.
You can disable copy and paste, or just copy and paste in a particular direction. For more information, see
Copying and pasting on page 57.

Troubleshooting display
If the mouse cursor is not behaving in the expected way, turn off Render cursor locally. This property is on
the Misc tab.
If the screen is not updating properly, turn off Fast CopyRect. This property is on the Misc tab.

Copying and pasting

You can copy and paste text between applications running on the client and host computers. This feature
works in the same way as it does for VNC Viewer. Follow the instructions in Copying and pasting text
between client and host computers on page 66.
You can preview the contents of the Clipboard to see what text is available to paste. To do this, open the
shortcut menu and select Clipboard. For more information on this menu, see Using the VNC Viewer for
Java shortcut menu on page 55. The VNC clipboard dialog opens:

(Windows XP)

Disabling and enabling copy and paste

You can disable copy and paste while the current connection is in progress. To do this, open the VNC
Viewer: Connection Options dialog. For more information on this dialog, see Using the VNC Viewer for
Java Connection Options dialog on page 56. On the Inputs tab, turn off Accept clipboard from VNC
Server and Send clipboard to VNC Server.

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Note you can turn these properties off separately in order to disable copy and paste in one direction only.

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Exchanging Information

This chapter explains how to use VNC Viewer to exchange information with the host computer, or with other
users connected at the same time as you.
Note: This chapter assumes you are connected to a host computer using fully-featured VNC Viewer. If not,
some or all of these features may be unavailable. For more information, see VNC Enterprise Edition 4.5
connectivity on page 12.

Contents
Printing host computer files to a local printer 60

Transferring files between client and host computers 62

Copying and pasting text between client and host computers 66

Communicating securely using VNC Chat 67

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Printing host computer files to a local printer

You can print host computer files directly to the default printer attached to the client computer (that is, to a
local printer).

A. Local printer. B. Client computer running VNC Viewer. Printer (A) must be set as the client’s default printer. C. A
network, for example the Internet. D. Host computer running VNC Server.

Note: To see how to make a printer the client computer’s default, consult its operating system
documentation.
This powerful feature is ready to use out-of-the-box. Open a host computer file in the VNC Viewer window
and print in the expected way for the application, for example by selecting File > Print. The local printer is
automatically shared with the host computer and made its default while the connection is in progress, so the
correct device should already be selected. Your request is added to the local printer’s queue and executed in
turn.
VNC Enterprise Edition attempts a best possible quality print finish. This may mean the contents of the file
are scaled to fit the dimensions of the local printer’s paper. If the results are unexpected, see Manipulating
the quality of the print finish on page 60.
If the host computer file does not print to the local printer, start with Troubleshooting printing on page 61.

Disabling and enabling printing

You can disable printing providing you do so before you connect. Open the VNC Viewer Properties dialog
and, on the Printing tab, choose Don’t share a printer. For more information, see Configuring printing on
page 34. Note that you can enable printing again for future connections at any time.
You can still print but choose not to change the host computer’s default printer. To do this, turn off Make it
the default printer on VNC Server. This means you will have to explicitly select the local printer when you
print. The local printer has a name of the form <printer name> via VNC from <client computer
name>, for example HP LaserJet via VNC from Neptune.

Manipulating the quality of the print finish

The quality of the print finish is determined by the characteristics of the local printer. For example, if the host
computer file is a color photo but the local printer only prints in black and white, then color will be lost.

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You may be able to configure printer properties in order to achieve a better quality print finish. You should do
this before you connect in the way expected for the operating system of the client computer, for example by
selecting Control Panel > Printers and Faxes under Windows XP.
If you are already connected, then you may be able to configure some printing preferences for the
application you are printing from. This may include rotating pages, changing the page order, choosing a
number of pages per sheet, and advanced options such as changing the resolution or paper size. For more
information, consult the application’s documentation.

Troubleshooting printing
Printing host computer files to a local printer should work out-of-the-box. If it does not, check the following:
1. Are both client and host computers running version 4.5 of VNC Viewer and VNC Server respectively?
Printing is not supported by earlier versions.
2. Make sure the local printer is connected to the client computer, that it is switched on and ready to print
(for example, it has paper), and that it is set as the client computer’s default printer.
3. VNC Viewer may have been configured to disable printing. To see how to enable it again, read Disabling
and enabling printing on page 60. You will have to close the current connection and then reconnect.
4. VNC Viewer may have been configured to prevent the local printer becoming the host computer’s default,
which means the local printer is not automatically selected. The request may have been sent to the
wrong printer. To see how to make the local printer the host computer’s default so it is always selected,
read Disabling and enabling printing on page 60. You will have to close the current connection and then
reconnect.
Note that if another VNC Viewer user connected to the same host computer before you, then their local
printer becomes the host computer’s default. You cannot change this. You will always have to explicitly
select your local printer when you print.
If you have to explicitly select the local printer, it will have a name of the form <printer name> via
VNC from <client computer name>, for example HP LaserJet via VNC from Neptune.
5. VNC Server may have been configured to prevent printing. If this is the case and you do not have access
to the host computer, you will need to consult your system administrator or a host computer user. If you
do have access to the host computer, and sufficient privileges to configure VNC Server, you may be able
to allow it again. For more information, see Preventing printing on page 91.
6. VNC Server may have been configured to prevent you printing. If this is the case and you do not have
access to the host computer, you will need to consult your system administrator or a host computer user.
If you do have access to the host computer, and sufficient privileges to configure VNC Server, you may
be able to allow it again. Alternatively, you may be able to connect as a different host computer user and
access this functionality. For more information, see Restricting functionality for particular connected
users on page 110.
7. The host computer itself may have been configured to prevent printing system-wide. If this is the case
and you do not have access to the host computer, you will need to consult your system administrator or a
host computer user. If you do have access to the host computer, and sufficient privileges to configure
both it and VNC Server, you may be able to allow it again. For more information, see Preventing printing
on page 91.
8. If the host computer is running Linux or Mac OS X, CUPS version 1.3 or later must be installed. If you
have access to the host computer, consult the operating system documentation.

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Transferring files between client and host computers

You can exchange files with the host computer.
This section explains the VNC Enterprise Edition file transfer mechanism. You should use this mechanism to
exchange files in all circumstances except when the host computer is running Windows and VNC Server is
in Service Mode, in which case you can copy and paste files in the standard way for Windows. Follow the
appropriate instructions for the platform of the host computer below.
Note: For more information on VNC Server in Service Mode, see Running multiple instances of VNC Server
on page 76.
If transferring files fails for any reason, start with Troubleshooting file transfer on page 65.

Windows

To send client computer files to a host computer running Windows:

1. Click the Send Files To VNC Server VNC Viewer toolbar button. A standard file selection dialog
opens.
2. Select one or more files, or an entire folder, to send to the host computer, and confirm the operation. The
files are now ready to send.

3. For VNC Server in User Mode, right-click the VNC Server icon in the host computer’s Notification
area (shaded black). The VNC Server shortcut menu opens. Carry on from step 4.

(Windows XP)

For VNC Server in Service Mode, paste the file(s) to a location on the host computer in the standard way,
for example by pressing CTRL-V. You do not need to perform steps 4 and 5.
4. Select Fetch Files from VNC Viewers. The standard Windows browse folder dialog opens.
5. Choose a location on the host computer to transfer the file(s) to, and confirm the operation to proceed.

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To fetch files from a host computer running Windows:

1. For VNC Server in User Mode, right-click the VNC Server icon in the host computer’s Notification
area (shaded black). The VNC Server shortcut menu opens (see example above). Carry on from step 2.
For VNC Server in Service Mode, copy the file(s) in the standard way, for example by pressing CTRL-C,
and then click the Fetch Files From VNC Server VNC Viewer toolbar button. A download location
dialog opens. Carry on from step 4.
2. Select Send Files to VNC Viewers. The standard Windows open file dialog opens.
3. Select one or more files, or click the Use Entire Folder button. A download location dialog opens.
4. Choose a location on the client computer to transfer the file(s) to, and confirm the operation to proceed.

UNIX or Linux

To send client computer files to a host computer running UNIX or Linux:

1. Click the Send Files To VNC Server VNC Viewer toolbar button. A file selection dialog opens.
2. Select one or more files, or an entire folder, to send to the host computer, and confirm the operation. The
Fetch Files dialog opens.
3. Choose a location on the host computer to transfer the file(s) to, and click the OK button.
To fetch files from a host computer running UNIX or Linux:

1. Click the VNC Server icon in the host computer’s Notification Area (which may be shaded black):

The VNC Server Status dialog opens. If no VNC Server icon is displayed, see Troubleshooting file
transfer on page 65.

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2. Click the Files button to open a menu, and select Send Files to VNC Viewers:

(Ubuntu 8.10 Linux)

The Share Files dialog opens.

3. Select a file, or an entire folder, and click the OK button. A download location dialog opens.
4. Choose a location on the client computer to transfer the file(s) to, and confirm the operation to proceed.

Mac OS X

To send client computer files to a host computer running Mac OS X:

1. Click the Send Files To VNC Server VNC Viewer toolbar button. A file selection dialog opens.
2. Select one or more files, or an entire folder, to send to the host computer, and confirm the operation. The
Select directory to save fetched files dialog opens.
3. Choose a location on the host computer to transfer the file(s) to, and click the Save button.
To fetch files from a host computer running Mac OS X:

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1. Click the VNC Server icon in the host computer’s Status bar (shaded black). The VNC Server short-
cut menu opens:

(Mac OS X 10.5)

2. Select Send Files to VNC Viewers. The Select files or directory to share dialog opens.
3. Select one or more files, or an entire folder, and click the Share button. A download location dialog
opens.
4. Choose a location on the client computer to transfer the file(s) to, and confirm the operation to proceed.

Disabling and enabling file transfer

You can disable file transfer while the current connection is in progress.
To do this, open the VNC Viewer Properties dialog and, on the Inputs tab, turn off Enable file transfer. For
more information on this dialog, see Using the VNC Viewer Properties dialog on page 41. The Send Files
To VNC Server VNC Viewer toolbar button is disabled.
You can enable file transfer again at any time.

Troubleshooting file transfer

If file transfer does not work, check the following:
1. VNC Viewer may have been configured to disable file transfer. To see how to enable it again, read Dis-
abling and enabling file transfer on page 65.
2. VNC Server may have been configured to prevent file transfer. If this is the case and you do not have
access to the host computer, you will need to consult your system administrator or a host computer user.
If you do have access to the host computer, and sufficient privileges to configure VNC Server, you may
be able to allow it again. For more information, see Preventing file transfer on page 91.
3. VNC Server may have been configured to prevent you transferring files. If this is the case and you do not
have access to the host computer, you will need to consult your system administrator or a host computer
user. If you do have access to the host computer, and sufficient privileges to configure VNC Server, you
may be able to allow it again. Alternatively, you may be able to connect as a different host computer user
and access this functionality. For more information, see Restricting functionality for particular connected
users on page 110.

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4. Under UNIX or Linux, for VNC Server in Virtual Mode, a program called vncconfig may not be running.
If this is the case, no VNC Server icon is displayed in the Notification Area, and file transfer is dis-
abled. To enable it again, type vncconfig in a Terminal window, and press the ENTER key.
Note that under some versions of UNIX, a VNC Server icon is never available. However, file transfer may
still be enabled in this case.

Copying and pasting text between client and host

computers
You can copy and paste text between applications running on the client and host computers.
Note that, when pasted, any formatting applied to the copied text is lost, and that the computer you are
pasting to must support the language of the copied text in order for it to be pasted meaningfully.
To copy and paste text from an application on the client computer to one on the host:
1. On the client computer, copy the text in the expected way for the platform of the client computer, for
example by selecting it and pressing Ctrl-C (Cmd-C on Mac OS X). The text is copied to the Clipboard.
2. Give the VNC Viewer window focus, open the destination application on the host computer, and paste
the text in the expected way for the host’s platform, for example by pressing Ctrl-V. (To emulate Cmd-V
on a Mac OS X host, press Alt-V on a PC keyboard.)
To copy and paste text from an application on the host computer to one on the client:
1. Within the VNC Viewer window, copy the text in the expected way for the platform of the host computer,
for example by selecting it and pressing Ctrl-C. (To emulate Cmd-C on a Mac OS X host, press Alt-C
on a PC keyboard.) The text is copied to the Clipboard.
2. Give the destination application on the client computer focus, and paste the text in the expected way for
the client’s platform, for example by pressing Ctrl-V (Cmd-V on Mac OS X).
If copy and paste fails for any reason, start with Troubleshooting copy and paste on page 66.

Disabling and enabling copy and paste

You can disable copy and paste while the current connection is in progress.
To do this, open the VNC Viewer Properties dialog and, on the Inputs tab, turn off Share clipboard with
VNC Server. For more information on this dialog, see Using the VNC Viewer Properties dialog on page 41.
You can enable copy and paste again at any time.

Troubleshooting copy and paste

If copy and paste does not work, check the following:
1. VNC Viewer may have been configured to disable copy and paste. To see how to enable it again, read
Disabling and enabling copy and paste on page 66.
2. VNC Server may have been configured to prevent copy and paste. If this is the case and you do not have
access to the host computer, you will need to consult your system administrator or a host computer user.

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If you do have access to the host computer, and sufficient privileges to configure VNC Server, you may
be able to allow it again. For more information, see Preventing copy and paste on page 91.
3. VNC Server may have been configured to prevent you copying and pasting. If this is the case and you do
not have access to the host computer, you will need to consult your system administrator or a host com-
puter user. If you do have access to the host computer, and sufficient privileges to configure VNC Server,
you may be able to allow it again. Alternatively, you may be able to connect as a different host computer
user and access this functionality. For more information, see Restricting functionality for particular con-
nected users on page 110.
4. Under UNIX or Linux, for VNC Server in Virtual Mode, a program called vncconfig may not be running.
If this is the case, no VNC Server icon is displayed in the Notification Area, and copy and paste is dis-
abled. To enable it again, type vncconfig in a Terminal window, and press the ENTER key.
Note that under some versions of UNIX, a VNC Server icon is never available. However, copy and paste
may still be enabled in this case.

Communicating securely using VNC Chat

You can chat with other VNC Viewer users connected to a host computer at the same time as you, and also
with a host computer user if one is present.
Note: You cannot chat with connected web browser users.

To participate in a conversation, or start a new one, click the Start Chat Session VNC Viewer toolbar
button. A message box appears at the bottom of the VNC Viewer window:

(Windows XP)

Enter a message and click the Send button. The message is broadcast to a conversation window on the
host computer visible to you and to all other connected users (including a host computer user, if present):

(Ubuntu 9.04 Linux)

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Note: You are identified by the user name with which you authenticated to VNC Server, or as VNC Viewer
if you did not enter a user name to connect.

Using VNC Chat as a host computer user

A host computer user can participate in a conversation, or start a new one. To start a new conversation as a
host computer user:
1. Open the VNC Server shortcut menu. For more on this menu, see Using the VNC Server shortcut menu
on page 80.

(Ubuntu 9.04 Linux)

2. Select Chat. The conversation window opens. Type text in the field at the bottom:

3. Press the ENTER key to send the message:

(Ubuntu 9.04 Linux)

Note: A host computer user is identified by the text (Local) appended to the user name.

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Working with VNC Chat

In VNC Viewer, the message box is minimized when VNC Chat is not being used. To see it again, hover the
mouse over the hot area at the bottom of the VNC Viewer window:

(Windows XP)

By default, messages are stored on the host computer for 90 days. To stop recording messages, select
Tools > Options in the conversation window and turn off Log chat history. Alternatively, you can reduce
the number of days, or switch to storing a particular number of messages.
If you stop recording and also want to clear the conversation window, you must delete the vncchat.xml
file. Under UNIX or Linux and Mac OS X, this file is located in the host computer user’s .vnc directory (you
can configure the location under Windows). Under UNIX or Linux and Mac OS X, you must then stop and
restart VNC Server.
Note that when a VNC Viewer user disconnects, messages sent by that user turn gray in the conversation
window.

Disabling and enabling VNC Chat

You can disable VNC Chat while the current connection is in progress.
To do this, open the VNC Viewer Properties dialog and, on the Inputs tab, turn off Enable chat. For more
information on this dialog, see Using the VNC Viewer Properties dialog on page 41. The Start Chat
Session VNC Viewer toolbar button is disabled.
Note: VNC Chat is only disabled for you, and not for any other connected VNC Viewer user. You can still
view messages in the host computer conversation window.
You can enable VNC Chat again at any time.

Troubleshooting VNC Chat

If you cannot use VNC Chat, check the following:
1. Is there anyone to chat with? The VNC Server Status dialog lists connected VNC Viewer users:

For more information on this dialog, see Using the VNC Server Status dialog on page 81.
2. VNC Viewer may have been configured to disable VNC Chat. To see how to enable it again, read
Disabling and enabling VNC Chat on page 69.
3. VNC Server may have been configured to prevent chat. If this is the case and you do not have access to
the host computer, you will need to consult your system administrator or a host computer user. If you do

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have access to the host computer, and sufficient privileges to configure VNC Server, you may be able to
allow it again. For more information, see Preventing chat on page 91.
4. VNC Server may have been configured to prevent you chatting. If this is the case and you do not have
access to the host computer, you will need to consult your system administrator or a host computer user.
If you do have access to the host computer, and sufficient privileges to configure VNC Server, you may
be able to allow it again. Alternatively, you may be able to connect as a different host computer user and
access this functionality. For more information, see Restricting functionality for particular connected
users on page 110.

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Setting Up VNC Server

VNC Server permits encrypted, authenticated connections to the host computer on which it runs out-of-the-
box. You should not need to configure it. However, you can change almost any aspect to suit your
requirements and environment if you wish.
This chapter explains how to work with VNC Server. It also explains advanced scenarios such as running
multiple instances concurrently, configuring network communications, and restricting access to functionality
for connected users. This chapter assumes you have access to the host computer and sufficient privileges to
configure both it and VNC Server. If you are setting up VNC Server on your own computer for remote
access, note that some features require a user to be present at the host computer in order to work.
Note: For more information on security, see Chapter 7, Security on page 93.

Contents
Starting VNC Server 72

Running multiple instances of VNC Server 76

Working with VNC Server 79

Configuring network communications 86

Preventing connections to VNC Server 88

Restricting functionality for connected users 90

Stopping VNC Server 92

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Starting VNC Server

To start VNC Server, follow the appropriate instructions for the host computer’s platform below.
Note: As soon as VNC Server starts, users can connect. To delay or prevent connections, see Preventing
connections to VNC Server on page 88.

Windows

VNC Server can start in Service Mode, in User Mode, or both. For more information on these modes, which
you might want to use, and why you might want to run more than one instance of VNC Server, see Running
multiple instances of VNC Server on page 76.
To start VNC Server:
• In Service Mode, select RealVNC > VNC Server from the Start menu. You may be required to confirm
this operation. Note that, by default, VNC Server starts in this mode automatically when the computer is
powered on. To see how to prevent this, read Preventing VNC Server starting automatically (Windows
only) on page 75.
• In User Mode, select RealVNC > Advanced > VNC Server (User Mode) from the Start menu.
The VNC Server Status dialog opens:

(Windows XP. In this example, VNC Server is in Service Mode.)

The VNC Server Status dialog is the gateway to VNC Server and all its operations. For more information,
see Using the VNC Server Status dialog on page 81.
Click the Close button to minimize the VNC Server Status dialog but keep VNC Server running in the
background. To access the dialog again, double-click the VNC Server icon in the Notification area. For
more information, see Using the VNC Server icon on page 79.
To see how to stop VNC Server, or to learn why VNC Server might stop automatically, read Stopping VNC
Server on page 92.

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UNIX or Linux

VNC Server can start in User Mode, in Virtual Mode, or both. In addition, VNC Server can start in Virtual
Mode as many times as your license permits. For more information on these modes, which you might want
to use, and why you might want to run more than one instance of VNC Server, see Running multiple
instances of VNC Server on page 76.
To start VNC Server:
• In User Mode, either:
— Type x0vncserver in a Terminal window, and press the ENTER key.
— Select Applications > Internet > VNC Server (User Mode) from the menu system, if available.
The VNC Server Status dialog opens:

(Ubuntu 8.10 Linux)

The VNC Server Status dialog is the gateway to VNC Server in User Mode and all its operations. For
more information, see Using the VNC Server Status dialog on page 81.

Under most versions of UNIX and Linux, you can click the dialog’s Close button to minimize the
VNC Server Status dialog but keep VNC Server in User Mode running in the background. To access the
dialog again, click the VNC Server icon in the Notification Area. See Using the VNC Server icon on
page 79 for more information.
Note: Under some versions of UNIX, a VNC Server icon is not available. In these circumstances,
clicking the Close button stops VNC Server.
• In Virtual Mode, type vncserver in a Terminal window, and press the ENTER key. A message ending
with text similar to the following appears:

New desktop is johndoe:1 (192.168.2.187:1)

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This operation starts VNC Server in Virtual Mode attached to a virtual desktop, detached from the
monitor, and independent of the console. This means that no VNC Server icon and VNC Server Status
dialog comparable to that of VNC Server in User Mode can be displayed. To see how to work with VNC
Server in Virtual Mode, read Working with VNC Server in Virtual Mode (UNIX or Linux only) on page 75.
A virtual desktop is assigned an X Server session number corresponding to the port on which VNC
Server is listening for connection requests. In the example above, this is X Server session number 1,
corresponding to port 5901. For more information on ports, see Configuring network communications on
page 86.
To see how to stop VNC Server, or to learn why VNC Server might stop automatically, read Stopping VNC
Server on page 92.
Mac OS X

VNC Server can start in Service Mode, in User Mode, or both. In addition, VNC Server can start in User
Mode as many times as your license permits. For more information on these modes, which you might want
to use, and why you might want to run more than one instance of VNC Server, see Running multiple
instances of VNC Server on page 76.
To start VNC Server:
• In Service Mode, navigate to the Applications > RealVNC folder, and double-click the VNC Server
program. You may be required to confirm this operation.
• In User Mode, navigate to the Applications > RealVNC > Advanced folder, and double-click the VNC
Server (User Mode) program.

In either mode, a VNC Server icon appears in the Status bar:

(Mac OS X 10.5)

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Click the VNC Server icon to open the VNC Server shortcut menu, and select the Status option. The VNC
Server Status dialog opens:

(Mac OS X 10.5. In this example, VNC Server is in Service Mode.)

The VNC Server Status dialog is the gateway to VNC Server and all its operations. For more information,
see Using the VNC Server Status dialog on page 81.
Click the Close button to minimize the VNC Server Status dialog but keep VNC Server running in the
background. To access the dialog again, select Status from the VNC Server shortcut menu. For more
information, see Using the VNC Server icon on page 79.
To see how to stop VNC Server, or to learn why VNC Server might stop automatically, read Stopping VNC
Server on page 92.

Preventing VNC Server starting automatically (Windows only)

By default, VNC Server in Service Mode starts automatically when a Windows host computer is powered on.
This means users can connect before a host computer user logs on.
To prevent VNC Server in Service Mode starting automatically, open the VNC Server Properties dialog and
turn off Start VNC Server automatically with Windows. For more information on this dialog, see Using the
VNC Server Properties dialog on page 85.

Working with VNC Server in Virtual Mode (UNIX or Linux only)

VNC Server in Virtual Mode starts unattached to any physical display hardware. This means that desktop
artifacts that help you work with VNC Server, such as a VNC Server icon and VNC Server Status dialog,
are not available.
To configure VNC Server in Virtual Mode, you can instead:
• Specify parameters on start-up.
• Configure VNC Server as a connected user.

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Note that changes made using either method are lost when VNC Server stops.

Specifying parameters on start-up

You can configure VNC Server in Virtual Mode on start-up using parameters.
Parameters can be specified in configuration files, in which case they apply to all instances of VNC Server in
Virtual Mode automatically, or at the command line when a particular instance starts. VNC Server reads
parameters in the following order:
1. The system configuration file: /etc/vnc/config.
2. The configuration file of the user starting VNC Server: $HOME/.vnc/config.
3. Appended to the vncserver command at the command line.
Parameters specified later in this list override duplicates specified earlier.
For a full list of parameters, type vncserver -list at the command line. For more information, type man
vncserver.

Configuring VNC Server as a connected user

You can connect to VNC Server in Virtual Mode and configure it as a connected user. When you disconnect,
your changes apply to all future connections to this instance of VNC Server while it runs.
Note: To see how to use VNC Viewer to connect to VNC Server, read Connecting to a host computer on
page 35. You will need to qualify the network address of the host computer with the X Server session
number assigned when VNC Server starts, for example 192.168.2.187:1.

Under most versions of UNIX or Linux, when you connect, a VNC Server icon is displayed in the VNC
Viewer window. For more information on this icon, including how to use it to open the VNC Server Status
dialog and configure VNC Server, start with Using the VNC Server icon on page 79.
Note: If another user connects, the VNC Server icon is shaded black.
Note that under some versions of UNIX, a VNC Server icon is not available. In these circumstances, the
VNC Server Status dialog should be running as a standalone application.

Running multiple instances of VNC Server

Under any platform, and providing you have a license to do so, you can run more than one instance of VNC
Server on a host computer.
This powerful feature means you can set up the host computer so users can connect to it in different ways.
For example, you could set up one instance of VNC Server so that connections to it are optimized for speed,
and another so connections are optimized for security. VNC Server facilitates this using modes, each of
which permits a different level of access to the host computer.
Note: To see how to start VNC Server in different modes, read Starting VNC Server on page 72.
To find out more, read the section appropriate to the platform of the host computer below.

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Windows

Under Windows, a host computer user with administrative privileges can start VNC Server in Service Mode.
This means VNC Server runs, and users can connect, irrespective of whether or not a host computer user is
currently logged on. By default, connecting users must know the user name and password of a member of
the Administrators group in order to connect. In addition, by default, VNC Server starts in Service Mode
automatically when the host computer is powered on.
In addition, or alternatively, a host computer user can log on and start VNC Server in User Mode. This
means VNC Server runs, and users can connect, just while this host computer user is logged on.
(Connections are terminated on log off.) By default, connecting users must know either the user name and
password of the currently logged on host computer user or of a member of the Administrators group in order
to connect.
Once connected to VNC Server in either mode, a connected user has the same privileges (that is, access
rights) on the host computer as the currently logged on host computer user. For more information, see
Authenticating connections to VNC Server on page 94.
Because only one host computer user can log on to a Windows computer at a time, this means a maximum
of two instances of VNC Server can run concurrently on a Windows host computer – one in Service Mode,
and one in User Mode for the currently logged on host computer user. Both instances must listen on different
ports; see Configuring network communications on page 86 for more information.
UNIX or Linux

Under UNIX or Linux, a host computer user can log on and start VNC Server in User Mode. In this mode,
VNC Server runs attached to the console X Server session, which means that:
• A VNC Server icon and VNC Server Status dialog can be displayed in order to help the host computer
user configure VNC Server after it has started, if necessary.
• Connected users can access applications currently running on the host computer.
• VNC Server stops, and all connections are terminated, when the host computer user starting VNC
Server logs off.
• By default, users must know the user name and password of the host computer user starting VNC
Server in order to connect. Once connected, they have the same privileges (that is, access rights) as this
host computer user. For more information on privileges, see Authenticating connections to VNC Server
on page 94.
Depending on the terms of the license, a host computer user can also, or alternatively, log on and start VNC
Server in Virtual Mode. In this mode, VNC Server runs attached to a new virtual desktop, detached from the
monitor and independent of the console, which means that:
• No VNC Server icon or VNC Server Status dialog can be displayed in order to help the host computer
user configure VNC Server after it has started. To see how to work with VNC Server in this mode, read
Working with VNC Server in Virtual Mode (UNIX or Linux only) on page 75.
• Connected users cannot access applications currently running on the console of the host computer.
Instead, an isolated workspace is provided. Note this powerful feature can help prevent conflicts; each
user can be directed to connect to their own instance of VNC Server in Virtual Mode, and control a
(virtual) desktop independently.
• VNC Server does not stop when the host computer user logs off. Connected users stay connected, and
new users can connect. VNC Server must be explicitly stopped.

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• By default, users must know the user name and password of the host computer user starting VNC
Server in order to connect. Once connected, they have the same privileges (that is, access rights) as this
host computer user. For more information on privileges, see Authenticating connections to VNC Server
on page 94.
Under UNIX or Linux, more than one host computer user can log on at a time. Each currently logged on host
computer user can start VNC Server in Virtual Mode, and all instances, for all users, run concurrently. Note
that all instances, in either mode, must listen on different ports; see Configuring network communications
on page 86 for more information.
VNC Server can run as many times as the host computer’s license permits. Each time a host computer user
starts VNC Server (whether in User Mode or in Virtual Mode), the count of the remaining permitted desktops
(that is, instances of VNC Server) is decremented. To see how many desktops are left, type vnclicense -
check at the command line. For example, the message:

3/5 desktops.
johndoe : 2 desktops.
janedoe : 1 desktops.

means that five VNC Server desktops are licensed to run concurrently on this host computer, and three are
already running: two started by John Doe, and one by Jane Doe. Two are left to run.
Note: You can release licenses by killing desktops. To see how to do this, read Stopping VNC Server on
page 92.
Mac OS X

Under Mac OS X, a user with administrative privileges can start VNC Server in Service Mode. This means
VNC Server runs, and users can connect, irrespective of whether or not a host computer user is currently
logged on. (Note that connections are terminated on log off, but a disconnected user can reconnect after a
few seconds.) By default, connecting users must know the user name and password of a member of the
admin group in order to connect. Once connected, they have the same privileges (that is, access rights) as
the currently logged on host computer user. For more information on privileges, see Authenticating
connections to VNC Server on page 94.
Depending on the terms of the license, a host computer user can also, or alternatively, log on and start VNC
Server in User Mode. This means VNC Server runs, and users can connect, just while this host computer
user is logged on. (Connections are terminated on log off, though not on switch out if Fast User Switching is
enabled.) By default, connecting users must know the user name and password of the host computer user
starting VNC Server in order to connect. Once connected, they have the same privileges (that is, access
rights) as this host computer user. For more information on privileges, see Authenticating connections to
VNC Server on page 94.
Under Mac OS X, providing Fast User Switching is turned on, more than one host computer user can log on
at a time. Each currently logged on host computer user can start VNC Server in User Mode, and all
instances, for all users, run concurrently. Note that all instances, in either mode, must listen on different
ports; see Configuring network communications on page 86 for more information.
VNC Server can run as many times as the host computer’s license permits. Each time a host computer user
starts VNC Server (whether in Service Mode or in User Mode), the count of the remaining permitted
desktops (that is, instances of VNC Server) is decremented. To see how many desktops are left, type /
library/vnc/vnclicense -check in a Terminal window. For more information on the message that is
displayed, see the UNIX and Linux section above.

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Working with VNC Server

This section explains basic VNC Server features and operations.

Using the VNC Server icon

While VNC Server is running, a VNC Server icon is displayed:

• Under Windows, in the Notification area:

(Windows XP)

• Under most versions of UNIX or Linux, for VNC Server in User Mode, in the Notification Area:

(Ubuntu 8.10 Linux)

Note: A VNC Server icon cannot be displayed for VNC Server in User Mode under some versions of
UNIX, and for VNC Server in Virtual Mode under all versions of UNIX or Linux. To see how to work with
VNC Server in Virtual Mode, read Working with VNC Server in Virtual Mode (UNIX or Linux only) on
page 75.
• Under Mac OS X, in the Status bar:

(Mac OS X 10.5)

The VNC Server icon:

• Provides visual confirmation that VNC Server is running on the host computer. If the icon is not visible
(and not hidden by other icons), then VNC Server is not running.
• Provides visual confirmation that VNC Server is configured correctly on the host computer. If not, a red
error glyph appears:

Open the VNC Server Status dialog to begin diagnosing the problem. For more information, see Using
the VNC Server Status dialog on page 81.
• Confirms whether users are connected or not. When the first user connects, the icon is shaded black:

When the last user disconnects, the icon reverts color again.

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• Provides convenient notification of the host computer’s network address. Hover the mouse cursor over
the icon:

(Windows XP)

• Has a shortcut menu that performs useful operations, such as opening the VNC Server Status dialog.
For more information, see Using the VNC Server shortcut menu on page 80.
Note: When a user connects, the VNC Server icon is displayed in the VNC Viewer window, as are all
desktop artifacts. The connected user can open the VNC Server Status dialog, but cannot normally
configure VNC Server. For more information, see Using the VNC Server Status dialog on page 81.

Using the VNC Server shortcut menu

VNC Server has a shortcut menu to facilitate common operations. To show it, right-click (click under Mac OS
X) the VNC Server icon:

(Windows XP. VNC Server is in User Mode.)

The following table explains the effect of selecting each VNC Server shortcut menu option.

Shortcut menu option Explanation

Status Opens the VNC Server Status dialog. For more information, see Using the VNC
Server Status dialog on page 81.
Connect to Listening VNC Establishes a reverse connection to a client computer. For more information, see
Viewer Establishing a reverse connection on page 104.
Disconnect VNC Viewers Disconnects all users (including web browser users). Note that, by default, they can
immediately reconnect.
Guest Login When turned on, and providing VNC Server is configured correctly, allows a Guest to
connect, bypassing VNC Server’s authentication mechanism. For more information,
see Allowing a Guest to connect on page 102.

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Shortcut menu option Explanation

Chat Opens a dialog where you can chat with connected VNC Viewer users (though not with
web browser users). For more information, see Communicating securely using VNC
Chat on page 67.
Send Files to VNC Viewers Opens a dialog where you (or a connected VNC Viewer user) can browse to the
location of host computer files to send to client computers. Note this option is disabled
until a VNC Viewer user connects. For more information, see Transferring files
between client and host computers on page 62.
This menu option is not available for VNC Server in Service Mode under Windows.
This feature is not available to connected web browser users.
Fetch Files from VNC Viewers This option is only available if at least one client computer has made files available for
the host computer to fetch. A dialog opens where you (or a connected VNC Viewer
user) can browse to a location to put shared client computer files. For more
information, see Transferring files between client and host computers on page 62.
This menu option is not available for VNC Server in Service Mode under Windows.
This feature is not available to connected web browser users.
Stop VNC Server Stops VNC Server, disconnecting all users. You may be required to confirm this
operation. For more information, see Stopping VNC Server on page 92.

Using the VNC Server Status dialog

The VNC Server Status dialog is the gateway to VNC Server, and the first port of call for connection
information and problem diagnosis. It also provides access to the VNC Server Properties dialog, enabling
you to configure VNC Server.
Note: A connected user can open the VNC Server Status dialog but cannot configure VNC Server unless
logged on as a host computer user with administrative privileges. For more information on privileges, see
Authenticating connections to VNC Server on page 94.

(Windows XP)

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To open the VNC Server Status dialog:

• Under Windows, right-click the VNC Server icon and, from the shortcut menu, select Status. (You can
also just double-click the VNC Server icon.)
• Under UNIX or Linux, for VNC Server in User Mode, click the VNC Server icon.
• Under Mac OS X, click the VNC Server icon and, from the shortcut menu, select Status.
Note: Under UNIX or Linux, for VNC Server in Virtual Mode, no VNC Server Status dialog can be
displayed. To see how to work with VNC Server in this mode, read Working with VNC Server in Virtual Mode
(UNIX or Linux only) on page 75.
The title bar of the VNC Server Status dialog confirms which mode VNC Server is running in. For more
information on modes, see Running multiple instances of VNC Server on page 76.
The VNC Server Status dialog provides access to the VNC Server Properties dialog, enabling you to
configure VNC Server. To open it, click the Configure button. You may be required to confirm this operation.
For more information, start with Using the VNC Server Properties dialog on page 85.

Diagnosing problems
The VNC Server Status dialog displays a green tick if VNC Server is configured correctly and the host
computer is connected to a network:

This should mean users can immediately connect.

If an amber warning or red error is shown instead, click the [details] link that appears in the
Details area to begin diagnosing the problem:

For more information, start with Configuring network communications on page 86.

Identifying the host computer

The VNC Server Status dialog confirms:
• The network address of the host computer, and a port number if VNC Server is listening for connection
requests on a port other than the registered default, 5900:

In the example above, VNC Server is running on host computer 192.168.2.133 and listening on port
5901. Users need this information in order to connect to VNC Server running on a host computer within a
private network (click the [copy] link to copy it to the Clipboard, and paste to an email or similar). If the
host computer is protected by a router, users connecting over the Internet must enter the router’s
network address instead. To find out what this might be, click the [test] link. For more information on
these issues, see Step 3: Identify VNC Server on the host computer on page 17.

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The host computer may have more than one network address (for example, it may have an IPv4 and an
IPv6 address). Users can enter any valid network address in order to connect to VNC Server. To see all
the network addresses, click the [show all] link. Note that IPv6 addresses are unavailable for the
host computer if the [IPv6 info] link is visible; see Preventing connections from particular client
computers on page 106 for more information.
• The URL of the host computer and the port number on which VNC Server is listening for VNC Viewer for
Java download requests:

In this example, VNC Server is running on host computer 192.168.2.133 and listening on port 5800. Web
browser users need this information in order to download VNC Viewer for Java from VNC Server. For
more information, see Downloading VNC Viewer for Java on page 50.
Note that VNC Server must listen on a unique port, and that port conflicts disable VNC Server. For more
information, see Configuring network communications on page 86.

Confirming the number of connected users

The VNC Server Status dialog confirms the number of currently connected users:

Click the [details] link to manage connected users. The Active Connections dialog opens:

(Windows XP)

In this example, the connected user at client computer 192.168.2.187:

• Authenticated to VNC Server using the credentials of johndoe. This is likely to be a host computer user
but, depending on VNC Server’s authentication mechanism, this text could alternatively read Admin or
Guest, or be left blank. For more information on authentication, start with Authenticating connections to
VNC Server on page 94.
• Has a Full set of VNC permissions, permitting unrestricted access to VNC Enterprise Edition functionality
while the connection is in progress. For more information, see Restricting functionality for particular
connected users on page 110.

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Click the Disconnect button to disconnect the selected user. Note there is no way of distinguishing between
VNC Viewer and web browser users.
A host computer user is informed when a user connects by a connection prompt that appears temporarily in
the bottom right hand corner of the desktop (top right under Mac OS X):

(Windows XP)

You can configure VNC Server so that this prompt enables the host computer user to reject particular
connection requests. For more information, see Preventing particular users connecting on page 108.

Displaying the VNC Server signature

The VNC Server Status dialog displays a signature uniquely identifying VNC Server:

When a user connects to VNC Server for the first time, they are asked to verify this signature. For more
information on this security feature, see Uniquely identifying VNC Server on page 114.

Warning of trial license expiry

The VNC Server Status dialog confirms the number of days left if VNC Enterprise Edition was unlocked
using a time-limited trial license key:

Click the [details] link to begin upgrading to a full, permanent license.

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Using the VNC Server Properties dialog

The VNC Server Properties dialog enables you to configure VNC Server:

(Windows XP. In this example, the dialog is in Advanced mode.)

To open the VNC Server Properties dialog, click the Configure button in the VNC Server Status dialog.
For more information on this dialog, see Using the VNC Server Status dialog on page 81. Under UNIX or
Linux, you must further select the Options menu option. You may be required to confirm this operation.
Note: Under UNIX or Linux, for VNC Server in Virtual Mode, no VNC Server Properties dialog can be
displayed. To see how to work with VNC Server in this mode, read Working with VNC Server in Virtual Mode
(UNIX or Linux only) on page 75.
The first time you open this dialog, it opens in Basic mode, and only one tab is available, containing the most
common properties. Click the Advanced button in the bottom left corner to switch to Advanced mode and
see all the tabs in the example above. Note that the Expert tab is recommended for expert users only.
For information on most of the properties in this dialog, see the subsequent sections in this chapter, starting
with Configuring network communications on page 86. For more information on the properties in the
Security area of the Connections tab, and security in general, see Chapter 7, Security on page 93.
Note that configuring a property affects all future connections. Unless otherwise stated in the sections that
follow, configuring a property affects currently connected users as well.

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Configuring network communications

VNC Server listens for network communications—that is, for connection requests and for VNC Viewer for
Java download requests—on one or more ports.
By default, two separate ports are assigned when VNC Server starts, one for connection and one for
download requests. If available, then:
• Under Windows and Mac OS X, VNC Server in both Service Mode and User Mode is assigned port
5900 for connection requests and port 5800 for download requests.
• Under UNIX or Linux, VNC Server in:
— User Mode is assigned port 5900 for connection requests and port 5800 for download requests.
— The first instance of VNC Server in Virtual Mode is assigned port 5901 for connection requests and
port 5801 for download requests. Subsequent instances of VNC Server in Virtual Mode are assigned
port numbers incremented by one, where possible, for example 5902, 5903 (and 5802, 5803), and so
on, up to the maximum number of desktops permitted by the host computer’s license.
Note: For more information about running multiple instances of VNC Server, and the different modes, see
Running multiple instances of VNC Server on page 76.
If more than one instance of VNC Server is running on a host computer, they must all listen on different
ports; see below for information on resolving port conflicts. Note, however, that a particular instance of VNC
Server can listen on the same port for connection and download requests; see Making the connection and
download port the same on page 88 for more information.
Note: When connecting to VNC Server, a user must qualify the host computer’s network address with the
port number in all cases except when VNC Server is listening for connection requests on port 5900 only. For
more information, see Qualifying a network address with a port number on page 24.

Resolving port conflicts

VNC Server must listen for connection and for VNC Viewer for Java download requests on a unique port.
This is one on which no other instance of VNC Server running on the host computer, or any other service or
program, is listening.

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Port conflicts disable VNC Server. You should be able to resolve them by changing the ports on which VNC
Server listens. To do this, configure properties on the Connections tab of the VNC Server Properties
dialog. For more information on this dialog, see Using the VNC Server Properties dialog on page 85.

(Windows XP)

Changing the connection port

You can change the port on which VNC Server is listening for connection requests. If you do this:
• Users need to know the new port number (if it is not 5900) in order to enter it when connecting. For more
information, see Qualifying a network address with a port number on page 24.
• If the host computer is protected by a firewall, then the firewall must be configured to allow incoming
network communications to the new port. For more information, see Allowing network communications
through a firewall on page 26.
• If the host computer is protected by a router and users will connect over the Internet, then the router
must be configured to forward communications to the new port. For more information, see Configuring a
router to forward network communications on page 23.
To change the port, enter a different number in the Accept connections on port field. Note that configuring
this property does not affect currently connected users.

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Changing the download port

You can change the port on which VNC Server is listening for VNC Viewer for Java download requests. If
you do this:
• Web browser users need to know the new port number in order to enter it when downloading. For more
information, see Qualifying a network address with a port number on page 24.
• If the host computer is protected by a firewall, then the firewall must be configured to allow incoming
network communications to the new port. For more information, see Allowing network communications
through a firewall on page 26.
• If the host computer is protected by a router and web browser users will connect over the Internet, then
the router must be configured to forward communications to the new port. For more information, see
Configuring a router to forward network communications on page 23.
To change the port, enter a different number in the Serve Java viewer on port field. Note that configuring
this property does not affect currently connected users.

Making the connection and download port the same

VNC Server can listen on the same port for connection and download requests. This may simplify firewall
configuration and make the host computer more secure.
To use the same port, enter the same number in the Accept connections on port and Serve Java viewer
on port fields. Note that configuring these properties does not affect currently connected users.

Preventing connections to VNC Server

By default, as soon as VNC Server starts:
• Users can connect to VNC Server and begin controlling the host computer.
• Web browser users can download VNC Viewer for Java, and use it to connect to this or to another host
computer.
You can prevent all users connecting by configuring properties on the Connections tab of the VNC Server
Properties dialog. For more information on this dialog, see Using the VNC Server Properties dialog on
page 85.

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Note: You can prevent particular users connecting, or connections from particular client computers. For
more information, see Preventing particular connections to VNC Server on page 106.

(Windows XP)

Preventing all connections

You can prevent all users connecting to VNC Server. To do this, turn off Accept connections on port. Note
that configuring this property does not affect currently connected users.
Note: If the VNC Server Properties dialog is in Basic mode, this option is called Allow VNC Viewers to
connect to VNC Server.
You can still use VNC Server to establish a reverse connection to a client computer. For more information,
see Establishing a reverse connection on page 104.

Preventing all VNC Viewer for Java downloads

You can prevent all web browser users downloading VNC Viewer for Java from VNC Server. To do this, turn
off Serve Java viewer on port. Note that configuring this property does not affect currently connected
users.

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Restricting functionality for connected users

By default, any number of users can connect to an instance of VNC Server running on a host computer.
Each connected user can:
• Control the host computer using the client computer’s keyboard and mouse, for example by running
applications, changing settings, and accessing data (according to their privileges on the host computer).
• Copy and paste text between applications running on the client and host computers.
In addition, each connected VNC Viewer user can:
• Print host computer files to a printer attached to the client computer.
• Exchange files with the host computer.
• Chat with other VNC Viewer users connected to the same host computer, or with a host computer user.
You can restrict access to VNC Enterprise Edition functionality for all connected users, if necessary, by
configuring properties on the Inputs tab of the VNC Server Properties dialog. For more information on this
dialog, see Using the VNC Server Properties dialog on page 85.
Note: You can restrict access to VNC Enterprise Edition functionality for particular users by revoking VNC
permissions. For more information, see Restricting functionality for particular connected users on page 110.

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Making VNC Server ‘view only’

You can quickly prevent all interchange with all client computers, making VNC Server ‘view only’. This might
be useful in an educational environment, for example, when multiple users are connected but should not
interact. To do this, select Disabled (view-only mode) from the Inputs dropdown.

Disabling the keyboards of client computers

You can disable the keyboards of all client computers. To do this, turn off Enable keyboard input.

Disabling the mice of client computers

You can disable the mice of all client computers. To do this, turn off Enable mouse input.

Preventing printing
You can prevent all VNC Viewer users printing host computer files to local printers. To do this, turn off Allow
VNC Viewers to share printers. Note this property is on the Printing tab. For more information about this
feature, see Printing host computer files to a local printer on page 60.
Under UNIX or Linux, if you have root privileges on the host computer, you can disable printing system-wide.
To do this, type vncinitconfig -disable-print in a Terminal window, and press the ENTER key. The
Printing tab is disabled. To reverse this, type vncinitconfig -enable-print.
Under Windows, if you have sufficient privileges on the host computer, you can disable printing system-wide
by re-installing VNC Enterprise Edition without the VNC Printer Driver component. To do this, turn off VNC
Printer Driver at the appropriate step in the Installation Wizard. For more information on how to do this, see
the RealVNC web site. The Printing tab is disabled.

Preventing file transfer

You can prevent all VNC Viewer users exchanging files with the host computer. To do this, turn off Share
files with VNC Viewers. For more information about this feature, see Transferring files between client and
host computers on page 62.

Preventing copy and paste

You can prevent all users copying and pasting text between applications running on the client and host
computers. To do this, turn off Share clipboard with VNC Viewers. For more information about this feature,
see Copying and pasting text between client and host computers on page 66
Note: Under Windows, to prevent connected VNC Viewer users who are also running Windows from
copying and pasting files, turn off Share files with VNC Viewers.

Preventing chat
You can prevent VNC Viewer users communicating securely using VNC Chat. To do this, turn off Enable
chat. For more information about this feature, see Communicating securely using VNC Chat on page 67.

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Stopping VNC Server

VNC Server runs until it is stopped.
To explicitly stop VNC Server:
• Under Windows, right-click the VNC Server icon in the Notification area and, from the shortcut menu,
select Stop VNC Server.
• Under UNIX or Linux, to stop VNC Server:
— In User Mode, right-click the VNC Server icon in the Notification Area and, from the shortcut menu,
select Stop VNC Server.
— In Virtual Mode, type vncserver -kill :x at the command line, where x is the X Server session
number. For more information on this, see page 73.
• Under Mac OS X, click the VNC Server icon in the Status bar and, from the shortcut menu, select Stop
VNC Server.
You may be required to confirm this operation.
Note: For more information on the VNC Server icon and shortcut menu, see Working with VNC Server on
page 79.
Note that VNC Server automatically stops:
• In User Mode (all platforms), when the host computer starting it logs out or the host computer is powered
off.
• In Service Mode (Windows and Mac OS X), when the host computer is powered off. Under Windows, by
default, VNC Server starts again automatically when the computer is powered on. To see how to prevent
this, read Preventing VNC Server starting automatically (Windows only) on page 75.
• In Virtual Mode (UNIX or Linux), when the host computer is powered off.
VNC Server can also stop under the following circumstances:
• Under Windows, VNC Server in User Mode stops automatically when the last user disconnects if the
When last VNC Viewer disconnects property is changed to Logoff user. For more information, see
Protecting the host computer on page 115.
• A connected user logged on as a host computer user with administrative privileges can explicitly stop
VNC Server.
• A connected user can log out and power the host computer off.
To see how to start VNC Server again, read Starting VNC Server on page 72.

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Security

VNC Enterprise Edition is designed to establish authenticated, encrypted connections between a host and
one or more client computers. This chapter explains how to relax the authentication and encryption rules if
you are sure all potential client computers are within a secure network environment, and all potential users
are trustworthy.
This chapter also explains how to configure VNC Server to protect the host computer from accidental or
malicious damage by particular users, either by restricting their access to VNC Enterprise Edition
functionality while connections are in progress, or by preventing them connecting in the first place.

Contents
Authenticating connections to VNC Server 94

Relaxing the authentication rules 99

Bypassing the authentication rules 102

Relaxing the encryption rules 105

Preventing particular connections to VNC Server 106

Restricting functionality for particular connected users 110

Uniquely identifying VNC Server 114

Upholding privacy 115

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Authenticating connections to VNC Server

By default, a user must authenticate in order to connect to VNC Server. Note this is not the same as logging
on to the host computer.
VNC Enterprise Edition is designed to be secure so authentication rules are strict out-of-the-box. You can
relax the rules, or bypass them altogether, if you consider it safe to do so. For more information, start with
Relaxing the authentication rules on page 99.
By default, under all platforms, VNC Server specifies platform-native authentication. This means that a user
must supply the credentials (that is, a user name and password) of a host computer user in order to
connect. For more information, read the section appropriate to the platform of the host computer below.
Note: Platform-native authentication is not available in VNC Personal Edition. The default authentication
mechanism is VNC password.
Note that in some circumstances, a host computer user might not have set a password on the primary user
account (this may be the case when connecting to friends and family, for example). In this circumstance, the
default authentication mechanism must be changed to VNC password, or else authentication disabled. A
user cannot specify a blank password in order to connect.
Windows

Under Windows, platform-native authentication is specified by the default Windows password option in the
Authentication dropdown of the VNC Server Properties dialog. For more information on this dialog, see
Using the VNC Server Properties dialog on page 85.

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This means, to connect to VNC Server:

• In Service Mode, a user must supply the credentials of a member of the Administrators group.
• In User Mode, a user must supply either:
— The credentials of the currently logged on host computer user (that is, the user starting VNC Server).
— The credentials of a member of the Administrators group.
You can add different users or groups to the authentication list if you do not want to distribute the credentials
of members of the Administrators group. For more information, see Managing users and groups in the
authentication list on page 98.
Note that the credentials supplied by a user in order to connect to VNC Server determine the VNC
permissions granted to that user. VNC permissions control which features of VNC Enterprise Edition a
connected user is allowed to use. By default:
• If the credentials of a member of the Administrators group were supplied, a Full set of VNC permissions
is granted to the connected user.
• If the credentials of any other host computer user were supplied, a Default set of VNC permissions is
granted.
For more information on what this means, and how to revoke VNC permissions in order to restrict access to
functionality, see Restricting functionality for particular connected users on page 110.
Once connected, a user has the same privileges (that is, access rights) on the host computer as the
currently logged on host computer user. This need not be a user with administrative privileges even if the
credentials of one were supplied in order to connect to VNC Server. The opposite also holds true: a
connected user has administrative privileges on the host computer if such a user is currently logged on.
Note that if VNC Server is running in Service Mode and no host computer user is logged on, then the
connected user must log on to Windows in order to continue.

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UNIX or Linux

Under UNIX or Linux, platform-native authentication is specified by the default UNIX password option in
the Authentication dropdown of the VNC Server Properties dialog. For more information on this dialog,
see Using the VNC Server Properties dialog on page 85.

(Ubuntu 8.10 Linux)

This means, to connect to VNC Server in either User Mode or in Virtual Mode, a user must supply the
credentials of the host computer user starting VNC Server. You can add different users or groups to the
authentication list if you do not want to distribute the credentials of this host computer user. For more
information, see Managing users and groups in the authentication list on page 98.
Note that the credentials supplied by a user in order to connect to VNC Server determine the VNC
permissions granted to that user. VNC permissions control which features of VNC Enterprise Edition a
connected user is allowed to use. By default, a Full set of VNC permissions is granted. For more information
on what this means, and how to revoke VNC permissions in order to restrict access to functionality, see
Restricting functionality for particular connected users on page 110.
Once connected, a user has the same privileges (that is, access rights) on the host computer as the host
computer user starting VNC Server. This need not be a user with administrative privileges even if the
credentials of one were supplied in order to connect to VNC Server. The opposite also holds true: a
connected user has administrative privileges on the host computer if such a user started VNC Server.

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Mac OS X

Under Mac OS X, platform-native authentication is specified by the default Mac password option in the
Authentication dropdown of the VNC Server Properties dialog. For more information on this dialog, see
Using the VNC Server Properties dialog on page 85.

(Mac OS X 10.5)

This means, to connect to VNC Server:

• In Service Mode, a user must supply the credentials of a member of the admin group.
• In User Mode, a user must supply the credentials of the host computer user starting VNC Server.
You can add different users or groups to the authentication list if you do not want to distribute the credentials
of host computer users with administrative privileges. For more information, see Managing users and
groups in the authentication list on page 98.
Note that the credentials supplied by a user in order to connect to VNC Server determine the VNC
permissions granted to that user. VNC permissions control which features of VNC Enterprise Edition a
connected user is allowed to use. By default, a Full set of VNC permissions is granted. For more information
on what this means, and how to revoke VNC permissions in order to restrict access to functionality, see
Restricting functionality for particular connected users on page 110.
Once connected to VNC Server:
• In Service Mode, a user has the same privileges (that is, access rights) as the currently logged on host
computer user. If no host computer user is logged on, then the user must log on in order to continue.
• In User Mode, a user has the same privileges as the host computer user starting VNC Server.
In either case, this need not be a host computer user with administrative privileges even if the credentials of
one were supplied in order to connect to VNC Server. The opposite also holds true: a connected user has
administrative privileges on the host computer if such a user either started VNC Server (User Mode) or is
currently logged on (Service Mode).

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Managing users and groups in the authentication list

By default, VNC Server specifies platform-native authentication, which means that a user must supply the
credentials of a host computer user in order to connect to VNC Server. Under certain circumstances, this
may be the credentials of a host computer user with administrative privileges.
If you want to use platform-native authentication but do not want to distribute the credentials of host
computer users with administrative privileges, you can add host computer users or groups with less
sensitive credentials to the VNC Server authentication list. (Alternatively, you could just choose a different
authentication mechanism; for more information, see Relaxing the authentication rules on page 99.)
To manage users and groups in the authentication list, open the VNC Server Properties dialog. For more
information on this dialog, see Using the VNC Server Properties dialog on page 85. On the Connections
tab, click the Configure button. Providing either Windows password (or equivalent) or Single sign-on
is selected in the Authentication dropdown, then the Permissions for VNC Server dialog opens:

(Windows XP)

To add a new host computer user or group, click the Add button. To remove an existing host computer user
or group, select it in the list and click the Remove button. Note that a user can supply the credentials of any
of the host computer users listed in Group or user names in order to connect to VNC Server.
Note that when you add a new host computer user or group to the authentication list, a Default set of VNC
permissions is granted to users supplying those credentials in order to connect, even if this host computer
user or group has administrative privileges on the host computer. For more information on VNC
permissions, see Restricting functionality for particular connected users on page 110.

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Relaxing the authentication rules

By default, VNC Server specifies platform-native authentication, which means that a user must supply the
credentials of a host computer user in order to connect to VNC Server. For more information, see
Authenticating connections to VNC Server on page 94.
You can relax the authentication rules by choosing an alternative authentication mechanism. Depending on
your choice, this may speed up the connection process, prevent ‘password fatigue’, or forgo the need to
distribute host computer user credentials. Note that some mechanisms allocate VNC permissions in ways
that cannot be customized.
To change the authentication mechanism, open the VNC Server Properties dialog. For more information on
this dialog, see Using the VNC Server Properties dialog on page 85. On the Connections tab, select an
alternative to the default Windows password option from the Authentication dropdown:

(Windows XP)

Note: Under UNIX or Linux, Windows password is called UNIX password. Under Mac OS X, it is called
Mac password.
For more information on the alternative authentication mechanisms, read the appropriate section below.

Single sign on

The Single sign-on authentication mechanism extends platform-native authentication to automatically

authenticate a VNC Viewer user to any instance of VNC Server on any host computer using the credentials
used to log on to the client computer. For this to work, all host computers must be on a domain, and all
instances of VNC Server must have Single sign-on specified. Note that this feature is not available for

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VNC Viewer for Java; web browser users must always supply a user name and password in order to
connect.
VNC permissions are granted in the same way as for platform-native authentication, and can be
customized. For more information, see the appropriate platform-specific section in Authenticating
connections to VNC Server on page 94.
VNC password

The VNC password authentication mechanism disassociates VNC Server from the credentialing system of
the host computer. Instead, a user must supply a password of your choice in order to connect to VNC
Server. You can specify three types of password, each of which grants a different set of VNC permissions to
connected users.
Note: VNC password is the default authentication mechanism in VNC Personal Edition.
To do this, select VNC password from the Authentication dropdown, and click the Configure button. The
VNC Server Password dialog opens:

(Windows XP)

To grant connected users a Default set of VNC permissions, enter and confirm a generic password, and
click the OK button.
To grant connected users either a Full or a View Only set of VNC permissions, click the Extended
Configuration button. The VNC Extended Authentication dialog opens:

(Windows XP)

To grant to connected users:

• A Full set of VNC permissions, turn on Enable “Admin” user, and click the adjacent Set password
button to enter and confirm a password.
• A View Only set of VNC permissions, turn on Enable “ViewOnly” user and click the adjacent Set
password button to enter and confirm a password.

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When connecting to VNC Server, a user is presented with the VNC Authentication dialog:

(Windows XP)

If the user enters:

• The generic password in the Password field, leaving the Username field empty (if it is enabled at all), a
Default set of VNC permissions is granted.
• Admin in the Username field, and the appropriate password in the Password field, a Full set of VNC
permissions is granted.
• ViewOnly in the Username field, and the appropriate password in the Password field, a View Only set
of VNC permissions is granted.
For more information on VNC permissions, see Restricting functionality for particular connected users on
page 110. Note you cannot customize VNC permissions under this authentication mechanism.

None

The None authentication mechanism enables a user to connect to VNC Server without supplying a
password. You should only choose this option if you are sure all potential users are trustworthy. Note you
can allow just particular users to connect without supplying a password; see Bypassing the authentication
rules on page 102 for more information.
Note: The None option is only available in the Authentication dropdown when the VNC Server Properties
dialog is in Advanced mode. For more information, see Using the VNC Server Properties dialog on page 85.
A Default set of VNC permissions is granted to each connected user. For more information, see Restricting
functionality for particular connected users on page 110. Note you cannot customize VNC permissions
under this authentication mechanism.

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Bypassing the authentication rules

You can enable particular users to connect to VNC Server without specifying a password, bypassing VNC
Server’s authentication mechanism altogether. You can:
• Allow a user to connect as a Guest. See below for more information.
• Establish a reverse connection to a client computer. See Establishing a reverse connection on page 104
for more information.
Clearly, you should only allow trustworthy users to connect as Guests, and only establish reverse
connections to client computers with trustworthy potential users. If you are setting up VNC Server on your
own computer for remote access, note that a user must be present at the host computer for both these
features to work.
Note: You can enable all users to connect without supplying a password if you consider it safe to do so. For
more information, see Relaxing the authentication rules on page 99.

Allowing a Guest to connect

You can allow a particular user to connect as a Guest, bypassing the authentication mechanism specified by
VNC Server. A Guest typically connects infrequently, or for a short period of time.
To connect a Guest, open the VNC Server Properties dialog. For more information on this dialog, see
Using the VNC Server Properties dialog on page 85. On the Connections tab, select an alternative to the
default None option from the Guest login access dropdown:

(Windows XP)

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To grant to a connected Guest:

• A Default set of VNC permissions, select Interactive.
• A View Only set of VNC permissions, select View-only.
For more information on VNC permissions, see Restricting functionality for particular connected users on
page 110. Note you cannot customize VNC permissions for Guests.
To enable a Guest to connect, a host computer user must turn on the Guest Login option on the VNC
Server shortcut menu. For more information on this menu, see Using the VNC Server shortcut menu on
page 80. For example:

(Windows XP)

Note: If the Guest Login menu option is turned off, Guests cannot connect. Note that connected users can
turn this menu option on and off. When VNC Server starts, Guest Login is turned off by default.
When connecting to VNC Server, a Guest is presented with the VNC Authentication dialog:

(Windows XP)

To connect, the Guest must enter Guest in the Username field, and leave the Password field empty.
When the connection request is received by VNC Server, a connection prompt appears on the host
computer:

(Windows XP)

A host computer user must approve the connection request within ten seconds or it will be automatically
rejected. For more information on connection prompts, see Preventing particular users connecting on
page 108.

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Establishing a reverse connection

You may be able to establish a reverse connection to a particular client computer, bypassing the
authentication mechanism specified by VNC Server.
Note: The client computer must be running Listening VNC Viewer. For more information, see Starting
Listening VNC Viewer on page 30.
This feature might also be useful if the host computer is protected by a firewall that cannot be configured to
allow incoming network communications, or by a router that cannot be configured to forward incoming
network communications to the host computer, preventing normal connections. In a reverse connection,
network communications from a host computer are outgoing.
To establish a reverse connection:
1. Open the VNC Server shortcut menu. For more on this menu, see Using the VNC Server shortcut menu
on page 80:

(Windows XP)

2. Select Connect to Listening VNC Viewer. The Connect to Listening VNC Viewer dialog opens:

(Windows XP)

3. Enter the network address of the client computer (or a router) in the VNC Viewer field, for example
192.168.2.187, and click the OK button.
If you do not know a network address for the client computer, and it is also running VNC Server, you can
ask a client computer user to follow the instructions in Step 2: Start VNC Viewer on the client computer
on page 17. If not, you will need to ask the client computer user to use a command such as ipconfig
(Windows) or ifconfig (Linux and Mac OS X).
Listening VNC Viewer listens for reverse connections on port 5500. If a reverse connection fails, it may
be because the client computer is protected by a router and/or a firewall and these devices have not
been configured to allow access to Listening VNC Viewer at port 5500. For more information on this, and
connection issues in general, see Troubleshooting connection on page 21.
When a reverse connection is established, the desktop of the host computer is displayed on the client
computer in exactly the same way as it is for VNC Viewer. A Listening VNC Viewer user controls the host

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computer in the same way a VNC Viewer user does. For more information, see Chapter 3, Using VNC
Viewer on page 29.
A Full set of VNC permissions is granted to a Listening VNC Viewer user. For more information, see
Restricting functionality for particular connected users on page 110. Note you cannot customize VNC
permissions for Listening VNC Viewer users.

Relaxing the encryption rules

By default, all network communications between a client and host computer are encrypted using 128 bit
AES technology. Authentication credentials are protected by 2048 bit RSA public keys.
You can relax the encryption rules if you are sure all potential client computers are within a secure network
environment, and that eavesdropping is impossible. This may improve performance. It may also allow older
versions of VNC Viewer that do not support encryption to connect. For more information on eavesdropping,
see Uniquely identifying VNC Server on page 114.
Note: Even if encryption is turned off, passwords are still encrypted.
To relax the encryption rules, open the VNC Server Properties dialog. For more information on this dialog,
see Using the VNC Server Properties dialog on page 85. On the Connections tab, select an alternative to
the default Always on option from the Encryption dropdown:

(Windows XP)

For more information on the alternative encryption options, read the appropriate section below.

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Prefer on

Encryption is turned on. However, a client computer user can turn it off by selecting Prefer off in the
VNC Viewer: New Connection dialog before connecting to VNC Server.

Prefer off

Encryption is turned off. However, a client computer user can turn it back on by selecting either Prefer on
or Always on in the VNC Viewer: New Connection dialog before connecting to VNC Server.
For more information about selecting encryption options when connecting to VNC Server, see Step 4:
Select an encryption option on page 19.

Preventing particular connections to VNC Server

You can prevent particular users connecting to VNC Server. To do this, you can either:
• Prevent connections from particular client computers. See below for more information.
• Prevent particular users connecting. See Preventing particular users connecting on page 108 for more
information.
Note: You can prevent all users connecting to VNC Server. For more information, see Preventing
connections to VNC Server on page 88.

Preventing connections from particular client computers

You can prevent all connections originating from one or more particular client computers by filtering the
network addresses of those client computers.
Note: If you filter network addresses, IPv6 network addresses for the host computer become unavailable. A
user cannot enter an IPv6 network address in order to connect to VNC Server (even from an authorized
client computer).

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To filter network addresses, open the VNC Server Properties dialog. For more information on this dialog,
see Using the VNC Server Properties dialog on page 85. On the Connections tab, click the IP Filter button.
The Configure IP Address Filtering dialog opens:

(Windows XP)

By default, connection requests are accepted from all client computers. To reject connection requests from a
particular client computer, click the Add button. The Configure IP Address or Subnet dialog opens:

(Windows XP)

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Enter the network address, or a range of addresses, in IPv4 format, and choose one of the following options:

Option Explanation

Accept the connection Accepts connection requests from the client computer(s).
Reject the connection Rejects connection requests from the client computer(s).
Ask the VNC Server user what Prompts a host computer user to either accept connection requests from the client
to do computer(s), allow them ‘view only’ access, or reject requests. If no host computer
user is present, connection requests are automatically rejected after 10 seconds.
For more information on connection prompts, see Preventing particular users
connecting on page 108.

Note that if you filter network addresses, the order of rules in the Configure IP Address Filtering dialog is
important. The first matching rule determines what happens to connection requests from a particular client
computer. For example, if a rule rejecting a client computer is encountered before one accepting it, then all
connection requests from that client computer will always be rejected. You can move rules in the dialog
using the Up and Down arrows.
By default, the Default rule accepts connection requests from all client computers. You can change this so
that it rejects or queries all connection requests instead. To do this, select the Default rule, and click the
Edit button. You cannot move this rule in the dialog.

Preventing particular users connecting

You can prevent a particular user connecting by causing a connection prompt to appear on the host
computer’s desktop:

(Windows XP)

A connection prompt enables a host computer user, if one is present, to either accept the connection
request, allow ‘view only’ access to the host computer, or reject the request. If no host computer user is
present, or if no response is received within ten seconds, then the connection request is automatically
rejected. Note if you are setting up VNC Server on your own computer for remote access then enabling this
feature may prevent you connecting.
Note that a user supplying credentials granting a Full set of VNC permissions is able to bypass connection
prompts. A host computer user cannot prevent these users connecting by default. You can configure the
Connect without accept/reject prompt permission to either permit other users to bypass
connection prompts, or to submit all users, including users with Full VNC permissions, to them. For more
information, see Customizing VNC permissions on page 111.

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To cause connection prompts to appear, open the VNC Server Properties dialog. For more information on
this dialog, see Using the VNC Server Properties dialog on page 85. On the Connections tab, turn on
Prompt VNC Server user to approve connections:

(Windows XP)

Clearly, this feature is only useful if a host computer user is present.

Note: Under UNIX or Linux, for VNC Server in Virtual Mode, no host computer user is ‘present’. This feature
is therefore only useful if at least one user is able to bypass connection prompts. Such a user can then
accept or reject subsequent connection requests.
For VNC Server in Service Mode, if a host computer user is only likely to be intermittently present, you
should also turn on Only prompt when there is a user logged on. This means connection prompts will
only appear if a host computer user is logged on (and therefore likely to be present). If no host computer
user is logged on, connection prompts will not appear. In these circumstances, all users are able to connect,
though note they must then log on to the host computer in order to continue.

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Restricting functionality for particular connected users

When a user connects to VNC Server, a set of VNC permissions is granted to that user. VNC permissions
control which features of VNC Enterprise Edition a connected user is allowed to use.
Note: Connected web browser users are further restricted by the limited functionality of VNC Viewer for
Java. A web browser user cannot print even if the Add VNC printer permission is granted, for example.
For more information on these limitations, see Connecting from a web browser on page 13.
The following table explains how VNC permissions are granted to users who authenticate in order to
connect to VNC Server:

VNC Server authentication Credentials supplied in order to Set of VNC

Customizable?
mechanism connect permissions granted

Platform-native authentication or Host computer user with administrative Full YES

Single sign-on privileges
Any other host computer user Default YES
VNC password Generic password (no user name) Default NO
Admin user name and appropriate Full NO
password
ViewOnly user name and appropriate View Only NO
password
None Default NO

For information on platform-native authentication, see Authenticating connections to VNC Server on

page 94. For information on the other authentication mechanisms, see Relaxing the authentication rules on
page 99.
The following table explains how VNC permissions are granted to users who bypass VNC Server’s
authentication mechanism:

Credentials supplied in order to Set of VNC

Type of user Customizable?
connect permissions granted

Guest (Interactive) Guest user name (no password) Default NO

Guest (View-only) View Only NO
Listening VNC Viewer Full NO

For more information on these types of user, see Bypassing the authentication rules on page 102.

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The following table explains the individual permissions allocated to the three sets (Full, Default, and View
Only):

Permission name When granted, a connected user can... Full Default View Only

View display contents See the host computer’s desktop. YES YES YES
Send pointer events Control the host computer using the client computer’s YES YES
mouse.
Send keyboard events Control the host computer using the client computer’s YES YES
keyboard.
Send and receive Copy and paste text between applications running on the YES YES
clipboard contents client and host computers.
Send and receive files Exchange files with the host computer. VNC Viewer YES YES
users only.
Add VNC printers Print host computer files to a local printer. VNC Viewer YES YES
users only.
Accept chat messages Chat with other VNC Viewer users, or with a host YES YES
computer user. VNC Viewer users only.
Connect without accept/ Bypass connection prompts. For more information about YES
reject prompt this feature, see Preventing particular users connecting
on page 108.

Customizing VNC permissions

If VNC Server specifies platform-native authentication or Single sign-on as its authentication
mechanism, you can customize VNC permissions. For example, you might want to revoke permissions for a
particular user in order to restrict their access to VNC Enterprise Edition functionality while connected. Note
you cannot customize VNC permissions under any other authentication mechanism, or for users who
bypass it.
Note: You can restrict access to VNC Enterprise Edition functionality for all connected users by configuring
properties on the Inputs tab of the VNC Server Properties dialog. For more information, see Restricting
functionality for connected users on page 90.
To customize VNC permissions, open the VNC Server Properties dialog. For more information on this
dialog, see Using the VNC Server Properties dialog on page 85. On the Connections tab, click the

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Configure button. Providing either Windows password (or equivalent) or Single sign-on is selected in
the Authentication dropdown, the Permissions for VNC Server dialog opens:

(Windows XP)

Note: A user can supply the credentials of any of the host computer users listed in Group or user names in
order to connect to VNC Server (including any member of a group). To see how to configure host computer
users or groups, see Managing users and groups in the authentication list on page 98.
You can change the VNC permissions allocated to a particular host computer user. To do this, select the
appropriate entry in the Group or user names list, and turn individual permissions on or off. For example, in

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the following dialog, just the View display contents, Send pointer events, and Send keyboard
events permissions are turned on for the host computer user Jane Doe:

(Windows XP)

This means that any user supplying Jane Doe’s credentials in order to connect to VNC Server is able to see
the host computer’s desktop, and control it using their keyboard and mouse. All other VNC Enterprise
Edition functionality, however, is disabled. A connected user cannot copy and paste or bypass connection
prompts and, if a VNC Viewer user, cannot print, chat, or transfer files.

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Uniquely identifying VNC Server

VNC Server has a signature uniquely identifying it.
• Under Windows and Mac OS X, the signature uniquely identifies VNC Server among all instances
running on the same host computer.
• Under UNIX or Linux, the signature is shared by instances of VNC Server started by the same host
computer user.
A VNC Server signature is displayed in the VNC Server Status dialog:

(Windows XP)

When a user connects from a particular client computer for the first time, this signature is published. The
user is asked to verify it in order to continue connecting:

A connecting user may be able to check that the published signature matches that of VNC Server, for
example if a host computer user is present, or if the connecting user set up VNC Server in the first place.
A VNC Server signature should not change. The next (and all subsequent) times a user connects from the
same client computer, the signature is not published. If the signature changes, it may be because a third

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party is interrupting the connection between client and host computers and eavesdropping on
communications – a so-called ‘man-in-the-middle’ attack. If a user sees a message similar to the following:

then it is recommended that they do not continue connecting.

Note: The signature does change if VNC Server is re-installed on the host computer.

Upholding privacy
This section applies to host computers running Windows only.
By default, VNC Enterprise Edition promotes shared connections. That is to say, if more than one user is
connected, all users can observe each other’s operations. In addition, if a host computer user is present
while a connection is in progress, then that host computer user can observe the operations of connected
users.
Under Windows, you can configure VNC Server to uphold the privacy of connected users by configuring
various properties in the VNC Server Properties dialog. For more information on this dialog, see Using the
VNC Server Properties dialog on page 85.
Note: A user can ensure their own privacy by disconnecting all other users when they connect. For more
information, see Configuring connections on page 33.

Blanking the host computer’s monitor

You can blank the host computer’s monitor in order to prevent a host computer user observing the
operations of connected users. To do this, turn on Blank the screen while VNC Viewers are connected.
This property is on the Desktop tab.

Preventing input from the host computer

You can disable the keyboard and mouse of the host computer in order to prevent a host computer user
interrupting the operations of connected users. To do this, turn on Disable the keyboard and mouse while
VNC Viewers are connected. This property is on the Inputs tab.

Protecting the host computer

You can protect the host computer when no connections are in progress by locking it or logging off when the
last user disconnects. Note that users connected to VNC Server in User Mode are disconnected, and cannot

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reconnect. Users connected to VNC Server in Service Mode remain connected, but must know how to
unlock the host computer or log back on in order to continue.
To do this, select an alternative to the default Do nothing option from the When last VNC Viewer
disconnects dropdown on the Desktop tab:

(Windows XP)

To protect the host computer by:

• Locking the workstation, select Lock workstation.
• Logging off, select Logoff user. Note that VNC Server in User Mode will stop when the last user
disconnects.

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Saving Connections

This appendix explains how to save connections so you can quickly connect to favorite host computers
again with just a few mouse clicks.
If you are using fully-featured VNC Viewer, you can save connections to VNC Address Book. VNC Address
Book remembers network addresses, user names, and passwords (in encrypted form) so you do not have
to, and automatically recreates your preferred VNC Viewer working environment each time you connect.
If you are using fully-featured or standalone VNC Viewer, you can save connections to icons on the client
computer’s desktop. You cannot save connections if you are connecting from a web browser.
Note: For more information on differences between VNC Viewer in different modes, see VNC Enterprise
Edition 4.5 connectivity on page 12.

Contents
Saving connections to VNC Address Book 118

Using VNC Address Book to connect 123

Managing connections using VNC Address Book 124

Saving connections to desktop icons 127

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Saving connections to VNC Address Book

If you are using fully-featured VNC Viewer, you can save a connection to VNC Address Book. You can then
use VNC Address Book instead of VNC Viewer to connect to the host computer in future.
Connecting from VNC Address Book means you do not have to remember the network address and port
number of the host computer, nor your VNC Server user name and password. In addition, VNC Address
Book automatically recreates your preferred VNC Viewer environment for controlling that computer, for
example the scaling applied to the desktop, and the color quality.
Note: Because VNC Address Book stores VNC Server authentication credentials, access to it is controlled
by a master password. For more information on this, see Working with the master password on page 126.
You can use VNC Address Book to organize connections, configure the appearance and behavior of VNC
Viewer for each one, and share connections with other VNC Viewer users.

Saving the current connection

If you are currently connected to a host computer using fully-featured VNC Viewer, you can save the
connection to VNC Address Book while you work. To do this:

1. In VNC Viewer, click the Save Connection toolbar button. VNC Address Book starts. If you entered
a password in order to connect to VNC Server, you are prompted to save it:

(Windows XP)

Choose:
— Don’t save VNC Server password to forget the password. You will need to enter it each time you
connect using VNC Address Book.
— Save VNC Server password to save the password in obfuscated, though not encrypted, form. You
will no longer need to remember the password. However, since the connection will not be protected
by the VNC Address Book master password, any other user of your client computer will be able to
connect.
— Encrypt VNC Server password to create a protected connection in which the password is both
saved and encrypted. You will no longer need to remember it. You will, however, have to enter the
VNC Address Book master password in order to connect, and also to configure the connection. Note
that a protected connection is identified by a padlock symbol throughout VNC Address Book.

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2. Click the OK button. If you chose to create a protected connection, and this is the first time you have
used VNC Address Book, you are prompted to specify a master password:

(Windows XP)

3. Click the OK button. The current connection is saved to VNC Address Book:

(Windows XP)

To see how to use VNC Address Book to connect to this host computer in future, read Using VNC Address
Book to connect on page 123.
For more information on editing and organizing connections, start with Organizing connections on
page 125.

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Creating a new connection

You can create a new connection in VNC Address Book directly. To do this:
1. Start VNC Address Book on the client computer. To see how to do this, read Starting VNC Address
Book on page 124. The VNC Address Book dialog opens:

(Windows XP)

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2. Click the New Entry toolbar button. The Properties dialog opens:

(Windows XP)

3. Enter a network address for the host computer in the VNC Server field (including a port number if
necessary), choose an Encryption option (or retain the default) and, optionally, specify your VNC
Server user name and password in the Authentication area. To see how to find out this information,
start with Step 3: Identify VNC Server on the host computer on page 17.
By default, VNC Address Book creates a protected connection. This means you must enter the VNC
Address Book master password in order to connect to the host computer, and also to configure the
connection. A protected connection is identified by a padlock symbol throughout VNC Address Book.
Note: Turn off Encrypt password (recommended) if you do not want to enter the VNC Address Book
master password in order to connect. Note this may constitute a security risk if others use your client
computer.
You can optionally configure VNC Viewer properties to set up your preferred environment for controlling
this host computer. To do this, use the Basic tab to configure common properties, or click the Advanced
button to see all the tabs. For more information, start with Configuring VNC Viewer before you connect
on page 31.

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4. Click the OK button. If you chose to create a protected connection, and this is the first time you have
used VNC Address Book, you are prompted to specify a master password:

(Windows XP)

5. Click the OK button. The connection is saved to VNC Address Book:

(Windows XP)

To see how to use VNC Address Book to connect to this host computer, read Using VNC Address Book to
connect on page 123.
For more information on editing and organizing connections, start with Organizing connections on
page 125.

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Using VNC Address Book to connect

You can quickly connect to a host computer using VNC Address Book. To do this:
1. Start VNC Address Book on the client computer. To see how to do this, read Starting VNC Address
Book on page 124. The VNC Address Book dialog opens:

(Windows XP)

2. Either:
— Double-click a connection in the Alphabetic or Hierarchical tab list.

— Select a connection in either list and click the Connect toolbar button.
You may be required to enter the VNC Address Book master password in order to connect. For more
information, see Working with the master password on page 126.

Under Windows, when VNC Address Book starts, a VNC Address Book icon is displayed in the
Notification area. This icon provides further options for quickly and conveniently connecting to host
computers. For more information, see Working with VNC Address Book on page 124.

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Managing connections using VNC Address Book

This section explains VNC Address Book features and operations.

Starting VNC Address Book

To start VNC Address Book:
• Under Windows, select RealVNC > VNC Address Book from the Start menu.
Note: Under Windows, you can start VNC Address Book automatically when the computer is powered
on. To do this, select Edit > Options and, in the UI behavior area, turn on Start with Windows.
• Under UNIX or Linux, either type vncaddrbook in a Terminal window and press the ENTER key, or select
Applications > Internet > VNC Address Book from the menu system, if available.
• Under Mac OS X, navigate to the Applications > RealVNC folder, and double-click the VNC Address
Book program.

Working with VNC Address Book

Under Windows, while VNC Address Book is running, a VNC Address Book icon is displayed in the
Notification area:

(Windows XP)

Note: Under UNIX or Linux and Mac OS X, no VNC Address Book icon is available. However, all the
operations explained below can be performed from the VNC Address Book dialog.
The VNC Address Book icon:
• Provides visual confirmation that VNC Address Book is running on the client computer. If the icon is not
visible (and not hidden by other icons), then VNC Address Book is not running.
• Has a quick launch bar enabling you to select a host computer to connect to:

(Windows XP)

To open the quick launch bar, click the VNC Address Book icon.

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• Has a right-click shortcut menu that performs useful operations:

(Windows XP)

The following table explains the effect of selecting each VNC Address Book shortcut menu option.

Shortcut menu option Explanation

Connect to Opens a menu where you can select a host computer to connect to.
Launch VNC Viewer Starts VNC Viewer, enabling you to connect to a new host computer in the standard
way. For more information, see Connecting to a host computer on page 35.
Open Address Book Opens the VNC Address Book dialog, enabling you to create new connections or edit
and organize existing ones. (Alternatively, double-click the VNC Address Book icon.)
Exit Closes VNC Address Book.

Organizing connections
VNC Address Book organizes connections both alphabetically and hierarchically:

(Windows XP)

You can reorganize connections in the Hierarchical tab list. (The Alphabetic tab list is automatically
maintained.)

Click the New Folder toolbar button to create folders in the Hierarchical tab list. You can drag-and-
drop connections to, from, and between folders. Note that if you delete a folder, all connections in that folder
are deleted too.

Editing connections
You can edit an existing connection. Note you may first be required to enter the VNC Address Book master
password.

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To do this, select a connection in the Alphabetic or Hierarchical tab list, and either:

• Click the Properties toolbar button.

• Select Edit > Properties.
For more information on editing VNC Viewer properties, start with Configuring VNC Viewer before you
connect on page 31.
To rename a connection in VNC Address Book, select it in the Alphabetic or Hierarchical tab list and
select Edit > Rename, or right-click and select Rename from the shortcut menu.

Sharing connections
You can share one or more connections with other fully-featured VNC Viewer users. Note that VNC Server
passwords are also shared, albeit in obfuscated or encrypted form.
To share:
• All VNC Address Book connections, select Tools > Export Address Book.
• A single connection, right-click it in the Alphabetic or Hierarchical tab list and, from the shortcut menu,
select Export.
Choose a location for the exported file. If the file contains a protected connection (one in which the VNC
Server password was saved and encrypted), the recipient will need your VNC Address Book master
password in order to import it.
You can import one or more connections shared by other fully-featured VNC Viewer users. To do this, select
Tools > Import Address Book, and select the file to import. If the file contains a protected connection, you
will need the VNC Address Book master password of the user who created the file in order to import it.

Removing connections
To remove a connection, select it in the Alphabetical or Hierarchical tab list, and either:

• Click the Delete toolbar button.

• Select Edit > Delete.

Working with the master password

If you chose to encrypt a VNC Server password when you saved a connection to a host computer, you
created a protected connection.
VNC Address Book secures protected connections using the master password. You must enter the master
password in order to perform an operation on a protected connection, for example connecting to the host
computer, or configuring connection details or VNC Viewer properties.
Note: You do not have to enter the master password in order to perform operations on connections for which
the VNC Server password was not saved, or was saved in obfuscated, though not encrypted, form. For more
information on saving VNC Server passwords, start with Saving the current connection on page 118.

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By default, VNC Address Book remembers the master password for one hour. This means you do not have
to enter it for sixty minutes after you first enter it in order to perform an operation on a protected connection.
To change this, and require the entry of the master password, select:
• Tools > Forget Master Password to require the entry of the master password for the next operation on
a protected connection.
• Tools > Options and, in the Master password area, turn off Remember for to require the entry of the
master password for all future operations on protected connections. (Alternatively, you can decrease the
length of time the master password is remembered.)
Note: The Status Bar reports Master Password: Stored if you do not currently need to enter the
master password, and Master Password: Required if you do.
To change the master password, select Tools > Options and, in the Master password area, click the
Change button.

Saving connections to desktop icons

If you are using either fully-featured or standalone VNC Viewer, you can save the current connection to a
desktop icon on the client computer:

(Windows XP)

A desktop icon provides an extremely quick and convenient way of connecting to a host computer. Simply
double-click the icon to connect. Your preferred VNC Viewer environment for controlling the host computer is
automatically recreated.
Note: For standalone VNC Viewer, you may need to associate the icon with the VNC Viewer executable file
the first time you connect.
To save the current connection as a desktop icon:

1. In VNC Viewer, click the Save Connection toolbar button.

Note: For fully-featured VNC Viewer, you must first disable VNC Address Book. To do this, click the
Options toolbar button to open the VNC Viewer Properties dialog and, on the Expert tab, set the
UseAddrBook property to False.
2. If you entered a password in order to connect to VNC Server, you are prompted to save the password.
Note that doing so may constitute a security risk, since the password is saved in obfuscated, though not
encrypted, form. If you do not save the password, you must enter it each time you connect.
3. Choose a location to save the icon file to (for example, the desktop), and an intuitive name.

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