Terminal Server Client for iPhone

[Terc]

I wanted to start a thread related to the feasibility of creating a Terminal Server/Remote Desktop Client for the iPhone.

This seems like a project that could become one of the most valuable apps that could be released on the iPhone. The panning/zooming on an iPhone should make a TS client just as practical as it made web browsing. Because Terminal Server connections can be handled over dial up connections, I would expect that even the EDGE network be capable of handling the rdp protocol.

Don't count this idea out yet! A large part of the work has already been done.

http://www.rdesktop.org/
rdesktop is an open source rdp client and has been ported to many operating systems and processor architectures.

There is an rdesktop compiled for the iPaq (ARM processor)
There is an intel and PPC OS X package available: http://pdb.finkproject.org/pdb/package.php/rdesktop

While I realize that there is still a lot of work to be done before just anything can be ported, is this a possibility for the (hopefully near) future?

[eyeareque]

I have also thought about this. A VNC client for the iphone would be very useful and popular.

[refinedmusic]

I have also thought about this. A VNC client for the iphone would be very useful and popular.

TightVNC allows you to do your remote controlling with any web browser, so it should in theory work with the iPhone...

[eyeareque]

TightVNC allows you to do your remote controlling with any web browser, so it should in theory work with the iPhone...

Via java applet, correct?

[refinedmusic]

Via java applet, correct?

I switched to TightVNC from RealVNC last night but havent had a chance to test it yet.

[Terc]

TightVNC allows you to do your remote controlling with any web browser, so it should in theory work with the iPhone...

I have tried this, but not only is the vnc protocol much less effiient, it requires java for the web interface. There are a couple of options right now, both of which I would consider unusable (actions take a frustrating ammount of time to complete).

The two options right now are the web client available from http:www.logmein.com and a project by naterue called webvnc. Logmein reloads a screenshot of your entire desktop with every action (obviously this isnt practical over EDGE). Webvnc does better, by refreshing just the window you are working in.

An rdp client is quite usable on dial up connections, and I would imagine EDGE performance would be even better.

Hopefully someone out there can offer up some time in porting an rdp client

[r00t4rd3d]

already a vnc app for iphone


www.iPhoneVNC.com (http://cre.ations.net/creation/webvnc---remote-desktop--vnc-on-your-iphone)

[Terc]

already a vnc app for iphone


www.iPhoneVNC.com (http://cre.ations.net/creation/webvnc---remote-desktop--vnc-on-your-iphone)

r00t4rd3d, perhaps you missed my previous comment.

VNC is not practical over EDGE, please read above.

Also, I have always considered it impolite to link with "faked" urls
http://cre.ations.net/creation/webvnc---remote-desktop--vnc-on-your-iphone makes it more clear where you are sending us, particularly considering iPhoneVNC.com doesn't exist and is not even the name of the project.

[Terc]

There is some interest in this idea, and I have found people that are using rdp on their treo over 2.5g connections.

Check this forum for more people that would love to see this app added to the iPhone.

http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=324629


I'm still willing to donate if someone will take on the project. I just dont want this to become a bounty sort of project because people seem much less willing to contribute parts when they may not receive the prize.

Again, rdesktop http://www.rdesktop.org/ should port just fine, it's only a matter of building an interface for it.

[maccabbi]

I use iPhone remote over wifi and edge. It allows me to do alot of things like vnc. Also I use ssh, which is much quicker for most things

[Terc]

Still waiting for someone to pick this one up. I will donate.

[spartan76092]

http://cre.ations.net/creation/webvnc---remote-desktop--vnc-on-your-iphone

I've been using the program from the site above. Does anyone know how to get audio to go through the iphone speakers? I want to play music off seeqpod.com and imeem.com.

[hubbards]

Has anoybody tried RDM+ by Shape?

http://www.shapeservices.c0m/en/products/details.php?product=rdm&platform=iphone

Change 0 to o in com.

Gonna give it a go myself and will report back!

[hubbards]

Installed the server on my PC but can't register with the RDM+ service. I get connection error. Is this working for anyone else? BTW, I can connect to their test server but only a small portion of the remote desktop is visable and it's very hard to control things. Speed may be down to the very fact it's a test server and the number of connections it must have.

[fl0yd]

Still waiting for someone to pick this one up. I will donate.

I am too, any updates on a port?

[Terc]

A port should be relatively simple. There already are versions of rdesktop that run on similar processors, and run on OS X. It really comes down to just finding a developer willing to put together a gui. Considering the gui just requires a place to draw the screen to, as well as the ability to use the iPhone native pan and zoom. Keyboard functionality would be nice (I figure a two finger tap would be great to bring up the keyboard), but since windows includes an on screen keyboard, it would be alright without one.