RealVNC
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Software, Remote access |
| Founded | 2002 |
| Founder | Andy Harter |
| Headquarters | Not specified |
| Products | VNC Connect (VNC Server, VNC Viewer) |
RealVNC is a technology firm focused on delivering remote access software solutions. Its main offering, VNC Connect, consists of two components: a server application (VNC Server) and a client application (VNC Viewer), which communicate through the RFB protocol to facilitate remote desktop control. This software is extensively utilized by IT support personnel for providing remote assistance.
History
Established in 2002 by Andy Harter along with the original VNC development team from AT&T, RealVNC later separated its automotive segment into an independent entity named VNC Automotive in 2018.
Platforms, editions, versions
RealVNC supports remote desktop connections between Windows, macOS, and multiple Unix-like operating systems. Client software is also available for platforms such as the Java platform, iOS, and Android. The Windows-exclusive client, VNC Viewer Plus, which was tailored for Intel AMT chipsets, was discontinued as of February 2021.
The subscription plans offered by VNC Connect include:
- Home – a free tier for personal use requiring registration
- Professional – a commercial version suitable for home offices or small businesses, featuring authentication, encryption, remote printing, chat capabilities, and file transfer
- Enterprise – aimed at large organizations with advanced security measures, deployment utilities, and all features included in the Professional edition
Starting with version 4.3 in 2007, separate builds for 32-bit and 64-bit systems were introduced. Version 4.6 brought enhancements such as HTTP proxy compatibility, chat functionality, an address book, remote printing support, Unicode handling, and connection alerts.
With the release of VNC 5.0 in 2013, RealVNC merged the Personal and Enterprise editions into a unified binary. In November 2016, VNC Connect 6.0 debuted a subscription model incorporating cloud connectivity: Home and Professional subscriptions allow cloud-only connections; the Enterprise tier supports both hybrid cloud and direct peer-to-peer connectivity.
Client (VNC Viewer)
The RealVNC client application (vncviewer) provides a full-screen viewing mode. Pressing the F8 key brings up an options menu that enables users to exit full screen or send commands such as Control-Alt-Delete.
Server (VNC Server)
The RealVNC server facilitates remote operation of a computer from another device, aiding IT administration and technical support activities.
Connectivity
RealVNC relies on the RFB protocol, typically using TCP/UDP port 5900 by default. When connecting over the Internet, users must adjust firewall rules and configure port forwarding on routers employing NAT to permit traffic through this port.
Alternatively, VNC connections can be secured by tunneling through SSH, which encrypts communication and eliminates the necessity to open additional network ports.
After proposing a Weston remote access interface in October 2013, RealVNC released a developer preview supporting Wayland in July 2014, reflecting its engagement with next-generation display protocols.
Limitations
The VNC protocol operates on pixel-level data transmission, ensuring wide compatibility but generally resulting in lower efficiency compared to protocols like X11, which transmit graphic primitives or higher-level instructions instead of raw pixel streams. This difference can affect performance in some enterprise scenarios.