Configuring Desktop Sharing
Topic Last Modified: 2009-02-27
Communicator Web Access (2007 R2 release) enables users to share their desktop. This allows participants in an instant messaging (IM) session to view the desktop of a user and, if given permission, to take control of that desktop. Before you can enable desktop sharing you must configure and apply a meeting policy that allows for desktop sharing. To do that you will need to:
- Enable Web conferencing.
- Enable program and desktop sharing.
- If desired, allow users to take control of a shared desktop session. This is done by enabling the option Allow control of shared programs and desktop.
- Configure a maximum meeting size, which determines the maximum number of users that can participate in a single desktop sharing session or other type of meeting. By default, the maximum meeting size is set to 10.
You also need to determine how (and if) anonymous users will be allowed to participate in desktop sharing sessions. You have three options available to you:
- Allow anonymous participants to take part in meetings and desktop sharing sessions.
- Do not allow anonymous participation.
- Configure anonymous participation on a per-user basis.
Desktop sharing can be implemented only if the virtual server uses the HTTPS connectivity protocol. If you log on to a Communicator Web Access Web site that uses the HTTP protocol the desktop sharing button will be disabled. If you hold the mouse over the button a tooltip will appear stating that, “Desktop sharing requires a secure connection (HTTPS). Contact your system administrator.” You will also need to open firewall ports 49152 through 65535 to support desktop sharing.
Note
Some applications that use Microsoft Direct3D to display all or part of their user interface (for example, Windows Photo Gallery) might appear as a black screen during desktop sharing. These applications use a method for displaying graphics that is incompatible with the desktop sharing technology. Other users might report large delays when working on a shared desktop. Typically this is because their video card drivers are outdated. If your users are going to participate in desktop sharing sessions it is important that they have the latest video card drivers.
Configuring Desktop Sharing
To configure desktop sharing complete the following procedure. No client configuration is required for users to participate in a desktop sharing session. However, users who want to share their desktops will need to install the Communicator Web Access Plug-in. They will be prompted to install the plug-in the first time they try to share their desktop. Only users running Microsoft Windows can share their desktops. Users running other operating systems (for example, Macintosh or Linux) can participate in a desktop sharing session, but they cannot share their own computer desktop.
To configure desktop sharing
Log on to the computer where the Communicator Web Access snap-in has been installed. You must log on as a member of the local Administrators group and a member of the RTCUniversalServerAdmins group.
Click Start, point to Administrative Tools, and then click Office Communications Server 2007 R2.
Right-click the forest node, click Properties and then click Global Properties.
In the Office Communications Server Global Properties dialog box, on the Meetings tab, select the desired setting from the Anonymous participants drop-down list.
In the Global Policy drop-down list select Default Policy and then click Edit.
In the Edit Policy dialog box type a value in the Maximum meeting size box.
Click Enable web conferencing, click Enable program and desktop sharing, and then select the Allow control of shared programs and desktop check box to allow users to take control of a shared desktop session.
Make any other configuration changes as needed and then click OK.
In the Office Communications Server Global Properties dialog box, click OK.