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Apple Remote Desktop 3.3.2 update now available

For management of large Mac deployments, one of the more venerable tools for administrators is Apple Remote Desktop. The application not only provides information on the status of every Mac on a network, but allows admins to push software loads, remotely control machines, and do detailed asset management.

Yesterday, Apple updated Apple Remote Desktop to version 3.3.2. The new update provides better performance in terms of the remote management tools, as well as better overall stability. There's an update (4.21 MB) to the client software (which is part of the OS and enabled in System Preferences), as well as a much larger update to the administrative software (51.41 MB). The updates require Mac OS X 10.6 or later, Mac OS X 10.5.7 or later, or Mac OS X 10.4.11, or the equivalent Mac OS X Server version. The update requires at least Apple Remote Desktop 3.0 to be installed, although there is some limited compatibility with 2.x client software.

So, what's fixed in 3.3.2? Setup is improved, with additional support for clients using Network Address Translation (NAT) and better reliability when new client computers are being authenticated to the admin software. Previous versions had issues with reporting failed software installations, issues with reporting of MacBook Air MAC addresses, and some problems with reliability of reporting systems configured with AirPort. Those issues have been addressed in 3.3.2.

The fix also provides improvements with the remote assistance features, particularly with systems with dual graphics processors or two displays. Mouse cursor tracking while controlling remote systems has been improved, and there's more reliable drag-and-drop file copy to remote Macs. You can download the update at Apple's Support Downloads page, and it is also being delivered via Software Update.

[via Macworld]

For management of large Mac deployments, one of the more venerable tools for administrators is Apple Remote Desktop. The application not...
 

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Sam W

I really hope this fixes my constant lockups for ARD Admin 3.3.1 ...

January 12 2010 at 4:26 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
2 replies to Sam W's comment
John Batchelor

I had the same though. ARD freezes up on me all the time, making it basically unusable.

January 12 2010 at 11:23 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Sam W

@John, the only thing we have found that worked (until enough changes in systems made it happen again) is to remove all computers from ARD and re-add them. this seems to keep ARD stable for a bit. Once you start to have computers being repurposed and name/IP/etc. change it seems to get odd again.

January 13 2010 at 12:21 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Derek Martin

P.S. - I meant that Apple would completely HIDE the RDC from the user, and offer some mechanism for importing/syncing app icons from the main computer to the tablet, so the user experience is seamless.

January 12 2010 at 1:55 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Derek Martin

You know how VMWare Fusion lets you run Windows apps in OSX, in "unity" mode?

What if the Tablet used RDC to allow you to run apps from your macbook/powermac/imac on the tablet, over the net ? It would be kinda like "unity".

Pros:
- client for iTunes uses the storage of your main computer, not the tablet
- running Photoshop on tablet would use main computer's CPU & RAM
- the tablet itself would lend superior touch-input to photoshop (using various stylii already available for iphone)

In essence, RCD would enable using the tablet as a smart dumb terminal.

January 12 2010 at 1:53 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
3 replies to Derek Martin's comment
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