User Manual
Setup Remote Deskop Connection (VNC) on your device
User manual page for setting up remote desktop connections (VNC/RDP) on your device, including instructions for macOS, Linux, and Windows, and daily usage statistics.
Setup Remote Deskop Connection (VNC) on your device
Summary
This page guides you through setting up remote desktop connections (VNC/RDP) on your device to use with awaBerry Anywhere. awaBerry Anywhere enables secure connections via Microsoft Remote Desktop (RDP), Apple Screen Sharing (VNC), and similar Linux-based clients without needing to open ports or install VPNs. You must first set up remote desktop functionality on your device. For RDP, your device needs to listen on the default port 3389, and for VNC, it needs to listen on port 5900. After completing the setup on your device, click the 'Check again' button. If your settings are correct, you will be automatically directed to the next step to start awaBerry and listen for incoming connections.
Page Access
You can access this page by navigating to: /devices_rdp
Page Functionalities
This page provides comprehensive instructions and tools to help you set up and verify your remote desktop connection:
- Information Text: Provides a general overview of awaBerry Anywhere's remote desktop capabilities and the requirements for RDP (port 3389) and VNC (port 5900).
- Status Indicators: Displays the current listening status for both RDP (port 3389) and VNC (port 5900). If a port is not listening, it will be indicated with a red status message.
- "Check again" Button: After you have configured your device for remote desktop, click this button to re-evaluate the connection status. A successful check will advance you to the next step in awaBerry.
- macOS Setup Instructions: Detailed steps to enable Screen Sharing on Apple macOS devices.
- Linux Setup Instructions: Comprehensive guidance for enabling Remote Desktop or Screen Sharing on various Linux distributions.
- Windows Setup Instructions: Clear steps to activate Windows Remote Desktop (RDP) on Windows operating systems.
- Daily VNC Usage Statistics: Shows your VNC time spent today in minutes, along with your maximum allowed VNC minutes according to your license. This helps you monitor your usage.
Scenario Executions
Possible usage steps within this page
These scenarios describe how to successfully set up your remote desktop connection and verify it within awaBerry Anywhere.
Scenario 1: Successfully Setting up Remote Desktop (VNC) on macOS
- On your macOS device, open "System Preferences".
- Navigate to "Sharing".
- Enable "Screen Sharing".
- Click the information icon (usually an "i" in a circle) next to the activation switch for Screen Sharing.
- Activate the option "Anyone may request permission to control screen".
- Return to the awaBerry Anywhere application on this page.
- Click the "Check again" button.
- Expected Outcome: The status indicators for VNC should update to show that port 5900 is listening, and you should be forwarded to the next screen to start your awaBerry connection.
Scenario 2: Successfully Setting up Remote Desktop (RDP) on Windows
- On your Windows device, open "Settings".
- Go to "System" > "Remote Desktop".
- Enable the "Remote Desktop" option.
- Confirm any prompts to enable the feature.
- Ensure your device remains online.
- Return to the awaBerry Anywhere application on this page.
- Click the "Check again" button.
- Expected Outcome: The status indicators for RDP should update to show that port 3389 is listening, and you should be forwarded to the next screen to start your awaBerry connection.
Scenario 3: Successfully Setting up Remote Desktop (VNC) on Linux (Modern GNOME)
- On your Linux device (e.g., GNOME desktop), open "Settings".
- Open "Sharing" (or "System > Remote Desktop").
- Enable "Remote Desktop" / "Screen Sharing".
- Enable remote control and set login details if prompted.
- Ensure the device is online.
- Return to the awaBerry Anywhere application on this page.
- Click the "Check again" button.
- Expected Outcome: The status indicators for VNC should update to show that port 5900 is listening, and you should be forwarded to the next screen to start your awaBerry connection.
Possible errors which may occur on this page
These scenarios describe common issues you might encounter and why they occur, helping you to troubleshoot effectively.
Error Scenario 1: Ports are Not Listening After Clicking "Check again"
This error occurs when you click the "Check again" button, but the status messages for RDP (port 3389) or VNC (port 5900) still indicate "port {port} is not listening" (shown in red).
Why it happens:
- You have not yet completed the remote desktop setup on your operating system (macOS, Linux, or Windows) according to the instructions provided on this page.
- The remote desktop service on your device might not have started correctly, even after enabling it.
- A firewall on your device or network might be blocking the default ports (3389 for RDP, 5900 for VNC), preventing awaBerry Anywhere from detecting the listening service. Although awaBerry states no need to open firewall rules usually, local device firewall settings can still interfere.
How to resolve:
- Carefully re-check the setup instructions for your operating system provided directly on this page and ensure all steps are followed.
- Verify that the remote desktop service is running on your device.
- Temporarily disable your device's firewall (if safe to do so) to test if it's interfering, then re-enable and configure it to allow the necessary ports if that was the issue.
- Ensure your device is connected to the internet.
Error Scenario 2: Exceeding Daily VNC Usage Limit
This is indicated when the "VNC time spent today" displayed on the page shows that you have used all or exceeded your "max" allowed minutes for the day.
Why it happens:
- Your awaBerry Anywhere license has a daily limit for VNC usage, and you have consumed all available minutes within the current 24-hour period.
How to resolve:
- You will need to wait until the next day for your VNC usage minutes to reset according to your license terms.
- If you require more VNC minutes, consider upgrading your awaBerry Anywhere license plan.
