Overview

The term "Remote Administration" generally refers to any method of remotely controling a computer. Typically a server, or network workstation, although sometimes "Home User" computers can be remotely administered by their owners.

Remote Administration is not to be confused with Remote Access , which is used to access one's computer fully from another location.

Examples of Remote Administration tasks

• Shutting down another computer over the network
• Editing another computer's registry settings
• Installing software on another machine

Software used for Remote Administration

Windows Server 2003 comes with built-in RA tools, including a web application and a cut down version of Terminal Services designed for Remote administration.

VNC can be used for remote administration of computers, however it is increasingly being used as an equivalent of Terminal Services and RDP for multi-user environments.

Back Orifice, whilst commonly used as a Script Kiddie tool, claims to be a remote-administration and system mangement tool. Critics have stated that the capabilities of the software require a very loose definition of what "administration" entails.

Active Directory and other features found in Microsoft's NT Domains allow for remote administration of computers that are members of the domain, including:

• Editing the registry
• Modifying system services and access to the system's "Computer Mangement" MMC snap-in.