Filed under: Enterprise, Software Update, Apple
Apple Remote Desktop 3.3 now available
Apple has released version 3.3 of its remote administration tool, Apple Remote Desktop (ARD). The update is available both via Software Update, and from the Apple website.According to the release notes, the update comes with a number of improvements, including the long-desired ability to send function keys and system shortcuts (Force Quit, cmd-Tab for application switching, cmd-shift-Q to log out) to the remote Mac; previously those commands would execute on the administrator's machine, which could cause undesired behavior. Also included are support for wide-area Bonjour connections and improved performance when using a shared screen.
If you're just starting out with ARD, be sure to check out some of the great tutorials Apple has posted online. From getting set up, to providing remote assistance to users, to automating routine tasks; as Apple might say, "there's a tutorial for that."
Thanks to TUAW reader Jim for giving us the heads up!
Get a WordPress.com Blog
![TUAW [Cafepress]](http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.tuaw.com/media/tuaw-cafepress-promo.png)
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Ben K. said 10:39AM on 8-21-2009
Don't forget, erm, Snow Leopard compatibility. Not listed, but... it works now.
So I hear.
Reply
edddeduck said 10:47AM on 8-21-2009
Just thought I would point out although the force quit shortcut looks new the other examples like Apple + Tab have worked in older versions.
When in windowed mode global shortcuts like logout and apple + tab are focused on your OS. If you go full screen they focus on the displayed remote OS. Which is what I would expect.
Don't know if the have altered the behavior but thought I would point out log out and Apple + tab work fine in my 3.2 version and I even think they worked fine in 3.0.
Reply
Michael Jones said 11:03AM on 8-21-2009
Yeah, Mike Rose and I discussed that this morning. It seems they may have changed it in some form though, as those keystrokes are exactly what they listed in the release notes.
I agree though, I would expect them to work locally in a window and remotely in a full screen, and by their wording, it sounds like they may have made them send remotely on both, or they may have just added Force Quit and not changed the others.
At least the release notes for ARD are detailed, as opposed to other releases which just say "bug fixes" (*cough*iPhone OS Updates*cough) :-)
Greenie said 12:02PM on 8-21-2009
And just like that, we have 3.3.1 available.
Reply
Greenie said 12:04PM on 8-21-2009
Should clarify, 3.3.1 is the client.
Ryan Trevisol said 12:38PM on 8-21-2009
"Undesired behavior" is a polite way to say "sailor-like strings of profanity".
Reply
holo said 3:01PM on 8-21-2009
Anyone else getting language not available when trying to view the release notes?
Reply
MikeWard1701 said 3:28PM on 8-21-2009
Does Apples' Remote Destop allow connecting to Windows machines? Or will I need a third party app to remote manage Windows machines?
Reply
Cowicide said 6:10PM on 8-21-2009
You can use Remote Desktop from Microsoft (which just has a recent update as well) -- there's also Timbuktu Pro which is excellent.
Rob Cavanagh said 4:16PM on 8-21-2009
For anyone not wanting the new functionality of sending system commands, you can turn it off with:
defaults write com.apple.RemoteDesktop DoNotSendSystemKeys -bool YES
Reply
ch3m1st@mac.com said 11:45AM on 8-22-2009
I've been using ARD for the past month or so trying to manage 40+ systems. But i have yet been able to successfully deliver an install package to multiple machines simultaneously. Anything over one freezes up... hope that is fixed with 3.3
Reply