Remote Desktop works by transmitting key strokes and mouse clicks to the remote computer (HOST) and returning the display (in the form of images)to the CLIENT system. The HOST computer must be running Windows XP Pro.
NOTE: Ss described in the steps below, you need the IP address for the host machine in order to connect to it remotely. Since IP addresses are not always "static", they can change when a computer is turned off and then turned back on again (e.g., restarting, power outages, etc.). If this happens it can cause remote desktop problems if you are unaware of the newly assigned IP address. An alternative to using the IP address is to use the computer name (e.g., smg699.ad.bu.edu) in combination with a BU VPN connection (on the client system). Once the VPN connection is established, your off-campus computer will essentially be on the BU campus network and you can then call for the remote (host) machine by name. With a Windows XP operating system, find the computer name by right-clicking the My Computer icon on your desktop, selecting Properties and then Computer Name tab.
