What is RDP? Advantages and Disadvantages

There are different communication protocols working to ensure users don’t face any major inconvenience. One of them is RDP. It stands for Remote Desktop Protocol and is used to gain access to a computer remotely. Its basic purpose is to help fix any error in a computer when you can’t access it physically.

In this article, we will discuss RDP in detail. You’ll get to know what this protocol actually is. We will also discuss its advantages and disadvantages. Let’s start. 

RDP is a communication protocol that was developed by Microsoft. This protocol is used by their administrators to gain remote access to client’s computers. Microsoft has millions of users around the world. It is common for many people to face different issues.

They turn to the company in order to ask for help. Sometimes, the problem needs to be fixed by interacting with the client’s computer. The problem is that the employee can’t access it physically at the moment. So, they utilize RDP to gain this access. In a similar way, different other support technicians also utilize this protocol to fix errors.

It may seem like RDP is a complicated protocol. But its working mechanism explains that it is not. There are only 3 basic steps involved in the process.

Step 1 – Program involvement:

There are two programs involved in this process:

• RDP Client: This program is installed on your main computer.
• RDP Server: It is installed on the computer that you want to access remotely.

Step 2 – Building connection:

In the second step, the computers build a connection with each other. You have to provide a specific name or address in order to access the other computer. After that, a secure connection is built between two of these computers. It usually takes a dedicated network port for that.

Step 3 – Data transmission:

Finally, the data transmission starts taking place. This means that you can now access whatever there is on the other computer. There is a specific user interface provided to control that. You can control different types of data including visuals, documents, etc. You can also use the mouse and the keyboard to control anything you want to.

As an additional step, the data can be encrypted. You can scramble during transmission so that nobody can intercept it.

RDP offers the following advantages:

• It makes computer systems easily accessible. Having this accessibility can help in enhancing productivity.
• It’s a cost-effective procedure. There is no paid software in the process of making the connection.
• As discussed earlier, the data is encrypted during transmission. It makes it a secure way of accessing computers.
• Computers can managed from a central place easily.

Here are their details:

• Poor configuration and encryption can increase its security risks.
• It requires a stable connection. Otherwise, the communication would not be smooth.
• It can only handle simple computer tasks. You can’t do high-processing work through it primarily.
• All the features may not work properly on all the platforms. This makes it a little less compatible protocol.

RDP offers the following major features to users:

• You can use multiple displays with it.
• It allows you to temporarily disconnect from a computer without actually logging off.
• Remote FX along with vGPU can be used to handle the graphic power of the computer.
• It can encrypt the data to keep it safe.
• You can also listen to the redirected audio of the computer.
• You can use your printer to print information that is on the remote computer.
• Around 64,000 independent channels can be managed for data transmission with it.

Accessing RDP is a very straightforward thing.

• First, click on the Windows icon on your desktop.
• Now, simply search for “Remote Desktop Connection”.

• Now, input the computer address.
• Click on the “Connect” button to access it.

Secondary Method:

• Press the Windows Key + R.
• Now, type “mstsc” in the box and hit enter.

• It will launch the RDP directly.

You can also use it on a Mac by downloading it from the App Store.

RDP is a communication protocol to access a computer device remotely. It is primarily used by Microsoft Windows users. Its basic usage is to help people fix different errors that take place in a computer. It gives you full access and control to another device.
You can do whatever you want on it just like your normal computer. Both the mouse and the keyboard use it for this purpose. There are different features that this protocol offers. We have listed them in the information given above. Besides this, there are some advantages and disadvantages as well. We have also discussed how you can access this protocol on your Windows PC.