VNC

VNC (Virtual Network Computing) is a graphical desktop-sharing system that uses the <a href="/facts/RFB_protocol/c1DbCnok">Remote Frame Buffer protocol (RFB)</a> to remotely control another <a href="/facts/Computer/SQe1aK05">computer</a>. It transmits the <a href="/facts/Computer_keyboard/MczF9LIS">keyboard</a> and <a href="/facts/Computer_mouse/fJpa1tUE">mouse</a> input from one computer to another, relaying the graphical-<a href="/facts/Computer_screen/NRaTDFHc">screen</a> updates, over a <a href="/facts/Computer_network/3w5RM99p">network</a>. Popular uses for this technology include remote technical support and accessing files on one's work computer from one's home computer, or vice versa.
VNC is platform-independent, with clients and servers for many GUI-based operating systems and for <a href="/facts/Java_Virtual_Machine/l9Nzrsun">Java</a>. Multiple clients may connect to a VNC server at the same time. There are a number of variants of VNC which offer their own particular functionality; e.g., some optimised for <a href="/facts/Microsoft_Windows/bwhAhuSL">Microsoft Windows</a>, or offering file transfer (not part of VNC proper), etc. Many are compatible (without their added features) with VNC proper in the sense that a viewer of one flavour can connect with a server of another; others are based on VNC code but not compatible with standard VNC.
VNC was originally developed at the <a href="/facts/Olivetti_%2526_Oracle_Research_Lab/oIrtgc0g">Olivetti & Oracle Research Lab</a> in Cambridge, United Kingdom, whose developers subsequently created <a href="/facts/RealVNC/nPhM8B8s">RealVNC</a> Ltd and claimed VNC and RFB as <a href="/facts/Registered_trademark/lLGeMyUG">registered trademarks</a> in the US and some other countries. The original VNC <a href="/facts/Source_code/o9J6Jv23">source code</a> and many modern derivatives are <a href="/facts/Open-source_software/HzTaB8E9">open source</a> under the <a href="/facts/GNU_General_Public_License/S75KhLSX">GNU General Public License</a>.

VNC open-in-new

VNC