PSM Connection Modes and Session Sharing
- Phillip Hanegan
PSM currently supports four types of connections: RDP, SSH, VNC, and Telnet. This article provides an overview of each connection type, its features, and how it is implemented within PSM.
RDP
RDP (Remote Desktop Protocol) is a network protocol developed by Microsoft for remote access and control of another computer over the same network. It allows users to access the graphical interface and resources of a remote machine as if they were sitting right in front of it, making it essential for IT support, remote work, and virtual desktop infrastructure.
RDP on EmpowerID:
PSM supports all types of RDP connectivity.
Any Windows/Linux machine configured for RDP connections can be accessed via PSM.
Different settings are available based on users' internet speeds. For instance, if a user's speed is less than 1.5 Mbps, all Windows animations (e.g., wallpapers) are disabled for better performance. For speeds of 5 Mbps or greater, all animations are enabled.
VNC
VNC (Virtual Network Computing) is a cross-platform remote desktop sharing protocol that allows users to connect to a computer remotely from a different device. VNC uses the RFB protocol to transmit the screen display and enable mouse and keyboard interactions. It is compatible with multiple operating systems, including Windows and macOS.
EmpowerID Supported VNC:
PSM uses TightVNC to create VNC connections.
TightVNC encrypts VNC passwords, although the rest of the traffic is unencrypted.
Users might face screen size/resolution issues due to VNC implementation limitations in Guacamole.
To unlock the Windows lock screen when using VNC, users can use the "Unlock VNC" button, as the CTRL+ALT+DELETE shortcut will not work in the browser.
EmpowerID currently uses TightVNC for VNC sessions, but any remote desktop software that supports the VNC protocol, e.g., RealVNC, TigerVNC, etc., can be installed to establish a connection with PSM.
SSH
SSH (Secure Shell) is a cryptographic protocol designed to communicate securely over an unsecured network. It enables users to securely access and manage remote servers, systems, and devices, offering secure remote login, file transfer, and command execution. SSH is widely used in system administration, network management, and software development.
SSH on EmpowerID:
PSM supports SSH connections for any Ubuntu machine configured for SSH.
In addition to session recordings, Guacamole creates a text file containing the full raw text content of SSH sessions, including timing information.
Telnet
Telnet is a network protocol used for bidirectional interactive text-based communication using a virtual terminal connection. Developed in 1969, Telnet allows users to remotely access and manage devices over a TCP/IP network, typically operating on port 23.
Telnet on EmpowerID:
PSM supports Telnet connections for any machine configured for Telnet, including Linux machines and Cisco devices.
Like SSH, Telnet sessions generate a text file with the full raw text content of the session.
Telnet Connection
PSM Session Sharing
PSM supports session sharing, allowing multiple users to join and use the same session concurrently. When session sharing is enabled:
Share Session: A "Share" button appears on the bottom right of the screen. Clicking this button copies a link to the user's clipboard.
Join Shared Session: Other users can open the link, rendering a page with a "Connect" button. Clicking this button allows them to join and use the session.