The Virtual Network Connection

The Virtual Network Connection (VNC) is a platform-independent application that allows remote access to another computer. Using computers installed with VNC gives administrators the ability to view and interact with computers over a network or the Internet.

VNC connectivity requires two components: Server and Viewer. The server component runs on the endpoint you want to remotely access, and the viewer component runs on the system used by the administrator. To get started with VNC, you need to configure the server component and then connect using a viewer. VNC is platform-independent, a VNC viewer on one operating system may connect to a VNC server on the same or any other operating system.

Install the VNC server on all endpoint computers you may need to connect to and then install the VNC viewer on the Ivanti Endpoint Security client computer. Once installed, VNC allows an administrator using Endpoint Security Web console to connect to the client VNC viewer, therefore allowing a connection to the endpoint.

There are a number of variants of VNC which offer their own particular functionality. For information on VNC®, refer to Getting Started with VNC.

Starting the Virtual Network Connection Tool

Starting the Virtual Network Connection (VNC) tool allows remote access to the target endpoint.

Prerequisites:

  • Install the VNC server component on the endpoint computer. For installation information, refer to VNC® Server on the VNC website.
  • Install the VNC client component on the Endpoint Security client computer. For more information, refer to VNC® Viewer on the VNC website.
  • The local computer must have network access to the endpoint computer.
  • The Ivanti Remote Systems Management plug-in must be installed on the local computer. For additional information, refer to Installing the Remote Systems Management Plug-In.
  • The endpoint must be turned on.
  • The endpoint must have a supported operating system. For additional information, refer to Managed Operating Systems.
  • For permission to connect to the endpoint, you must have Administrative rights on the endpoint.

The following procedure describes interaction with VNC in general terms. For additional information about VNC, refer to VNC documentation.

  1. Select Manage > Endpoints.
    The Endpoints page displays.
  2. Click the desired Name link to open the Endpoint Details page.
    The Endpoint Details page displays with the Information tab selected by default.
  3. Click Manage Remotely > VNC.
    The VNC Launch Parameters dialog opens with the default endpoint IP Address and VNC Port.

    4. Ivanti recommends that you use the default path location when installing the applicable VNC Viewer. Using an alternative path results in having to re-locate the VNC client each time Manage Remotely > VNC is selected.

  4. Set the applicable settings.
    1. In the Program field, click the Ellipses button (...) and browse to the applicable VNC Viewer application.
    2. Verify the IP address of the endpoint.
    3. Verify the Port of the endpoint.
  5. Click Launch.
    The VNC Viewer Authentication dialog opens.
  6. Provide the necessary credentials.
  7. Click OK.
    The connection to the target endpoint is created and the target endpoint's desktop appears. You can use your keyboard and mouse to control the connected endpoint.

If connection fails, then verify that a firewall on either the endpoint or local computer is not blocking the connection. For additional troubleshooting information, refer to Troubleshooting section of the VNC Knowledge Base.