VNC (Virtual Network Computing) and UltraVNC are two widely used network-based graphical user interfaces. Both VNC and UltraVNC provide a remote control interface for devices such as computers, tablets, smartphones, televisions, cameras, routers, and more. Remote access to a computer typically allows somebody else to see what the user is seeing on their computer screen or even control the computer with a keyboard and mouse.
These two protocols are not completely different from each other. They serve different purposes and allow users to access their computers in different ways. Let’s explore the similarities and differences between VNC and UltraVNC.
What is VNC?
VNC stands for “Virtual Network Computing” and is a protocol that allows remote desktop access to an entire computer or server from a single device. The remote client connects to the remote server over a network and then has complete control over the computer’s screen and keyboard. This makes it possible to take full control of a machine, allowing you to see what is happening on the screen, perform operations, and even customize the look of the interface. VNC has been around since 1988, but it only became popular in recent years due to its ease of use and its ability to be used on a wide range of different devices.
VNC is commonly used by IT workers who need to connect to their computers from remote locations. It can also be used to enable users with limited mobility access to their computers so they can perform tasks such as emailing or web surfing. VNC is great for situations when you need high-quality video and audio but don’t have an installed VGA/HDMI port on your device. A common use case is employees at home needing access to company computers, especially when traveling on business trips.
What is UltraVNC?
UltraVNC is a popular VNC client which allows you to connect to remote computers, desktops, and servers using the same VNC protocol. It has a few advantages over other VNC clients such as better security with its encrypted connections, and the ability to control multiple displays at once.
A free version of UltraVNC is available for download from the official website, while a paid version can be purchased from the developer’s website.
UltraVNC is supported on Windows, Mac OS X, and Linux operating systems, and requires an installation of Java 7 or later. The UltraVNC client works with any VNC server that supports the VNC protocol and supports SSL/TLS encryption or SSH tunneling to communicate between the source computer and target display.
Difference between VNC and UltraVNC
VNC (Virtual Network Computing) is a remote desktop protocol that allows users to connect to another computer’s desktop and control it using a standard web browser. VNC is free and open-source, so anyone can use it. VNC is also highly secure because only the two computers involved in the connection can view each other’s desktops.
VNC is often used for remote administration, virtualization, and network visualization.
UltraVNC is an enhanced version of VNC that supports accelerated graphics and advanced security features such as password encryption. UltraVNC can be used on Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS, Android, Solaris, AIX, and many more systems.
Conclusion
VNC is a very popular remote desktop protocol used for remote desktop administration, remote support, and other similar tasks. It provides a secure, reliable, easy-to-use, cross-platform, and truly unlimited desktop experience to the end-user. One of the best facts is that it is fully open source. It is fast, secure against DoS, and highly optimized.
UltraVNC is a graphical frontend of the VNC server. It is based on the VNC standard and offers many more features such as support for audio, clipboard, and drag and drop. It also incorporates PAM authentication and provides support for tunneling through SSH. Whichever you choose, the choice is yours. The best part is that you can use them both simultaneously.
