2.7.7 Setting a connection mode for remote control sessions

You can limit the operations available during a remote control session by specifying a connection mode. This allows you to impose restrictions such as preventing users from using the remotely controlled computer during the remote control session, or limiting the administrator to viewing the user interface in the controller program.

There are three connection modes: view, shared, and exclusive. Each mode is described below.

View

In this mode, you can view the GUI of the remote computer, but not control it using keyboard or mouse operations. Connect using this mode when you want to view the activity taking place on the remote computer.

Shared

In this mode, the administrator using the controller program and the user of the remote computer are both able to control the computer. Connect using this mode when the administrator and the user might both need to operate the computer.

Exclusive

In this mode, only the administrator using the controller can control the remote computer. The user cannot user his or her keyboard or mouse to control the computer. Use this mode if you want to prevent the user from using his or her computer during the remote control session. If you set a connection mode and then connect using RFB, the session automatically uses shared mode.

Important note: You cannot use exclusive mode over an RFB connection.

Determining the connection mode

The connection mode is determined from the combination of controller settings and agent configurations.

Mode in agent configurations	Mode on controller	Mode used during connection
View	View	View
	Shared
	Exclusive
Shared	View	View
	Shared	Shared
	Exclusive	Shared
Exclusive	View	View
	Shared	Shared
	Exclusive	Exclusive

When the agent configuration is View: The connection uses view mode regardless of the mode set in the controller program.
When the agent configuration is Shared: The connection uses view mode if the controller is configured to use view mode. For other mode settings, the connection uses shared mode.
When the agent configuration is Exclusive: The connection uses the mode set in the controller program.

Organization of this subsection

(1) Changing the connection mode from a remotely controlled computer
(2) Connection modes when using multiple remote control connections

(1) Changing the connection mode from a remotely controlled computer

A user cannot use his or her computer if it is being remotely controlled in exclusive mode.

If a need arises for the user to control the computer, he or she can change the connection mode to shared by pressing Ctrl + Alt + Delete.

When a user uses this method to change the connection mode from exclusive to shared, the controller is notified and displays a message asking whether the administrator wants to allow it. If the administrator does not permit the mode change, the computer reverts to exclusive mode and the user is unable to operate the computer again.

Tip: The connection mode changes to shared as soon as the user presses Ctrl + Alt + Delete on his or her computer. This means that by the time the message appears in the controller, the connection has already entered shared mode.

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(2) Connection modes when using multiple remote control connections

When several controllers connect to one computer, only one of those controllers can work in exclusive mode. All other controllers work in view mode.

If the controller working in exclusive mode changes to another mode or leaves the session, a message appears on the other controllers indicating that the session is no longer in exclusive mode.

The following figures show examples of how the connection mode changes when you use multiple remote control connections.

Example 1: Initial state

Suppose that three controllers connect to a single remote computer using the connection modes illustrated below.

[Figure]

Example 2: Controller 1 changes to exclusive mode

When controller 1 changes to exclusive mode from its initial state, the connection modes of the other controllers change as shown below.

[Figure]

Controller 1 changes to exclusive mode.

A message reporting the change appears on the remote computer.
The user clicks OK on the remote computer.

The remote computer enters view mode. A message indicating that another controller has entered exclusive mode appears on controller 2.
The administrator clicks OK in controller 2.

Controller 2 enters view mode.

Example 3: Controller 1 changes to another mode from exclusive mode

From the state in example 2, if controller 1 changes to another mode from exclusive mode, the other controllers do not change mode. The result is the same if controller 1 disconnects from the remote computer.

[Figure]

Controller 1 changes to shared mode.
A message appears in controller 2 and controller 3 indicating that controller 1 is no longer in exclusive mode. However, controller 2 remains in view mode.

Example 4: The user presses Ctrl + Alt + Delete on the remote computer after controller 1 has entered exclusive mode.

In the state in example 2, if the user of the remote computer presses Ctrl + Alt + Delete, the connection modes of the other controllers change as follows:

[Figure]

The user presses Ctrl + Alt + Delete on the remote computer.

A message requesting confirmation of the change of connection mode appears in controller 1.
The administrator clicks Yes in controller 1.

Controller 1 and the remote computer enter shared mode. If the user clicks No instead, the mode does not change.
In controller 2 and 3, a message appears indicating that the other controller is no longer in exclusive mode. Controller 2 and 3 remain in view mode.

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