VNC^® Enterprise Edition User Guide

Restricting functionality for connected users

By default, any number of users can connect to an instance of VNC Server running on a host computer. Each connected user can:

•  Control the host computer using the client computer’s keyboard and mouse, for example by running applications, changing settings, and accessing data (according to their privileges on the host computer).

•  Copy and paste text between applications running on the client and host computers.

In addition, each connected VNC Viewer user can:

•  Print host computer files to a printer attached to the client computer.

•  Exchange files with the host computer.

•  Chat with other VNC Viewer users connected to the same host computer, or with a host computer user.

You can restrict access to VNC Enterprise Edition functionality for all connected users, if necessary, by configuring properties on the Inputs tab of the VNC Server Properties dialog. For more information on this dialog, see Using the VNC Server Properties dialog.

Note: You can restrict access to VNC Enterprise Edition functionality for particular users by revoking VNC permissions. For more information, see Restricting functionality for particular connected users.

(Windows XP)

Making VNC Server ‘view only’

You can quickly prevent all interchange with all client computers, making VNC Server ‘view only’. This might be useful in an educational environment, for example, when multiple users are connected but should not interact. To do this, select Disabled (view-only mode) from the Inputs dropdown.

Disabling the keyboards of client computers

You can disable the keyboards of all client computers. To do this, turn off Enable keyboard input.

Disabling the mice of client computers

You can disable the mice of all client computers. To do this, turn off Enable mouse input.

Preventing printing

You can prevent all VNC Viewer users printing host computer files to local printers. To do this, turn off Allow VNC Viewers to share printers. Note this property is on the Printing tab. For more information about this feature, see Printing host computer files to a local printer.

Under UNIX or Linux, if you have root privileges on the host computer, you can disable printing system-wide. To do this, type vncinitconfig -disable-print in a Terminal window, and press the ENTER key. The Printing tab is disabled. To reverse this, type vncinitconfig -enable-print.

Under Windows, if you have sufficient privileges on the host computer, you can disable printing system-wide by re-installing VNC Enterprise Edition without the VNC Printer Driver component. To do this, turn off VNC Printer Driver at the appropriate step in the Installation Wizard. For more information on how to do this, see the RealVNC web site. The Printing tab is disabled.

Preventing file transfer

You can prevent all VNC Viewer users exchanging files with the host computer. To do this, turn off Share files with VNC Viewers. For more information about this feature, see Transferring files between client and host computers.

Preventing copy and paste

You can prevent all users copying and pasting text between applications running on the client and host computers. To do this, turn off Share clipboard with VNC Viewers. For more information about this feature, see Copying and pasting text between client and host computers

Note: Under Windows, to prevent connected VNC Viewer users who are also running Windows from copying and pasting files, turn off Share files with VNC Viewers.

Preventing chat

You can prevent VNC Viewer users communicating securely using VNC Chat. To do this, turn off Enable chat. For more information about this feature, see Communicating securely using VNC Chat.