Desktop Share is a suite of three programs that allow you to remotely control another PC. It has been designed to be as simple as possible for a user to request remote assistance and for you to connect to them. 

Remote control is separated into Gateway, Share and View.

Desktop Gateway
The Gateway is a windows service that makes the connection between you (the Viewer) and the user requiring assistance (the Sharer). The Gateway PC usually resides on your network as a server. Two requirements must be met to allow the gateway PC to function correctly:

• Accessible to the Sharer - Sharers normally connect to the gateway via the internet therefore it is important that the gateway PC has a name that is accessible via the internet. Eg www.yourcompany.com. The gateway PC may be your web server as well. In fact if you already have a web server setup you may have all you need to install Desktop Gateway successfully. Additionally you need to make sure port 4502 is forwarded from the internet to your Desktop Gateway server.

• Accessible to the Viewer - The Viewer normally connects to the gateway via your LAN, so you need to make sure that the gateway PC isnt firewalled for PCs on your local network.

Desktop Share
The Desktop Share application actually sends the screenshots of the other user to you and allows you to control their PC. It does this by connecting to the gateway (usually via the internet), when it does this it displays that it is waiting. If you have configured the gateway to use invitation codes then the invitation code will be displayed.. The user will tell you this code (eg via the phone). As a viewer you will enter the code to connect to them. If you are not using invitation codes then you can simply click on the icon that appears for the user.


Desktop View
The Desktop View web page displays the other users PC desktop and allows you to control the PC with your keyboard and mouse. It does this by connecting to the gateway (usually via the local network). To control a PC you will get the other user to run Desktop Share which displays to them an invitation code. You will enter this code into Desktop View and Desktop View will make the connection to the User via the gateway. 

Installation
Desktop View does not require installation as it is a silverlight control.

• To access Desktop View visit:http://www.desktopshare.net/desktopview.html

Connecting to a user
To connect to a user's PC you need the user to run Desktop Share. There are various ways of doing this (such as making a custom version and distributing it yourself) however the easiest is to:

• Get the other user to visit http://www.desktopshare.net/desktopshare.exe
• Get them to click Run and Run again at the security prompt
• Get them to enter the Gateway name
• Get them to click on the Share button
• If Desktop Gateway is setup for invitation codes then get the user to read out the invitation code shown and type it in (screenshot shown on the left). Alternatively: If Desktop Gateway is not using invitation codes then just click on the icon that appears automatically (screenshot on the right)

Making the connection
To make the connection to remotely control the PC:

• Open the Desktop View web page
• If you havent already done so click Settings and enter the Gateway name (Computer name or IP Address of Gateway PC)
• Any waiting users will appear in the list within 5 seconds (if you have invitation codes setup on the gateway then enter the invitation code specified by the Desktop Share)
• Click the user to connect to their PC

Notes about ports
Desktop View uses port 4502 on the Gateway by default. This is a requirement of Microsoft Silverlight.
Also note that Desktop View only makes an outgoing connection so it should get through your PCs personal firewall. Desktop View may be blocked if the gateway is not on your LAN network and you are behind a proxy server.

Notes about the gateway
The gateway is the PC running Desktop Gateway. You can use either the external or interal name of the PC. or example if the gateway is on your lan network with a PC name of myserver. It may also be known as www.mycompany.com to the internet. You can use either name however the LAN name will be faster. 

IP Address
This is the IP Address that the Desktop Gateway web service will be available from. If you want Desktop Gateway to be available over the internet you should provide an address that is accessible via the internet such as www.yourcompany.com

Port
The port number used for Desktop Gateway. When entering the gateway in Desktop Share the port number is specified in the following format:

• {server ipaddress}:{server port number}
• eg 192.168.5.1:444

Authentication
The authentication option defines how a Desktop View user will connect to a Desktop Share PC. The following options are available:

• None - When the Desktop Share client waits for a connection an icon will appear on the Desktop View client. When the Desktop View user clicks on the icon they will immediately see the other users desktop without having to enter a password.
• Invitation Code - When the Desktop share client waits for a connection an invitation code will be displayed (a random number). The Desktop View client will need to type in the invitation code to access the Desktop Share PC.
• Windows Login Only - When the Desktop Share client waits for a connection an icon will appear on the Desktop View client. When the Desktop View user clicks on the icon they will be presented with a login dialog where a valid username, password (and optionally domain) will need to be entered.
• Windows Login and Invitation Code - When the Desktop share client waits for a connection an invitation code will be displayed (a random number). The Desktop View client will need to type in the invitation code to access the Desktop Share PC. After entering a valid invitation code a valid username, password (and optionally domain) will need to be entered.

Customizing Desktop Share
The Desktop Gateway installation comes with customization software which allows you to personalize Desktop Share for your customers. To customize Desktop Share open the Desktop Gateway Setup application that comes with Desktop Gateway.

IP Address
The IP Address of the Desktop Gateway PC Desktop Share will connect to.

Port
The port number of the Desktop Gateway PC Desktop Share will connect to.


Connect to gateway automatically
Check this option to have Desktop Share connect to the gateway automatically.
Name
This is the name that is displayed in the Windows title bar when Desktop Share is launched.


Modifying Desktop Share
Click the Modify button to apply the changes to DesktopShare.exe. This file will be located in theDesktop Gateway installation folder (usually c:\program files\desktop gateway). Once modified you can provide this file to other users to make connection to PCs easier.


Distribution
Your customized version of Desktop Share may be freely distributed to users. You can host it on your web site or distribute it as you see fit however you must adhere to the following rules:

• You must not claim that you have created the application
• You must not use the application to "trick" users into launching it through use of exploits in a web browser
• You must not distribute the application as part of a paid web service for the sole purpose of remote control (ie a service like LogMeIn.com)

The intention of customizing Desktop Share is to improve your users experience and associate the technical help they are receiving (through remote control) with your company. 

The Desktop Gateway log tab displays information about the Desktop Gateway service. If the gateway starts correctly or with an error it will log displayed in this log. 
The log is also available from Control Panel -> Administrative Tool -> Event Viewer and the application log. 

Once Desktop Gateway has been purchased a registration key will be emailed to the email address provided during purchase. To enter the registration key click the Registration tab in the Desktop Gateway setup software.

• The same email address must be entered exactly as in the registration email.
• Once the details have been entered click the Apply button to verify and save the information
• Note: The number of days left in the trial will be displayed on the registration tab.

Network Setup
The following are required:

• Incoming traffic on TCP/IP ports 80, 943 and 4502 be allowed
• Note: Port 80 is a configurable port in Desktop Gateway. You may choose another port if desired
• Make sure the Firewall on the Desktop Gateway PC is not blocking the incoming on these ports
• The Desktop Gateway PC must have these ports forwarded from the internet if you want Desktop Share and Desktop View to be available on the internet

Notes

• Be aware that Desktop View and Desktop Share make outgoing connections on these ports. Under normal circumstances including when behind corporate firewalls and proxies outgoing connections are allowed unless you specifically tell Windows Firewall to block outgoing connections
• Desktop Gateway uses ports 943 and 4502 because of Microsoft Silverlight. The port 943 is used to tell the web browser its "client access policy". This is simply a references to which ports are open for Silverlight and this is specified as 4502 by Desktop Gateway. It is not possible to change these values.

Possible Configurations
There are many ways Desktop Gateway can be configured. Here a few to let you know of your options: