PAGE 1/ BY KIM MADSEN starter expert Delphi PROLOGUE kbmmw Enterprise Edition have long included components that makes it possible to create a remote desktop server, client, proxy and service, and a set of accompanying demo applications. The remote desktop tool is similar in functionality to what you can see in TeamViewer or LogmeIn or GotoMyPC etc. and thus allow you to remote control a PC from another PC, as if you were sitting in front of it. In the upcoming kbmmw Enterprise Edition v..8, an updated version of the Remote Desktop framework is included, which fixes a number of bugs, but also introduces some new nice features and vast performance improvements. Actually one of the focus areas on the new version of the framework has been to be able to play full HD video on the remote computer and see it in almost realtime in close to full speed on the local computer. There has always been a challenge to combine the requirements for high quality screen look (which is important when you use the remote PC for working with text or graphics), while maintaining a high FPS (Frames per second) in full screen full HD videos, as there are typically a lot of changes on screen that needs to be handled and moved to the viewer. Anyway, that has been made possible now. The server (to be run on the computer you want to remote) looks like this when you start it: And the client (that you run when you want to view a remote computer) looks like this when you start it: As you can see its clearly branded as a ComponentsDevelopers tool, and it has a number of features enabled and others disabled. When you click the More information button you will be greeted with this dialog: CODEGEAR EDITION The demo projects for the Remote Desktop framework are also being delivered precompiled as the free to use kbmmw Remote Desktop CodeGear Edition, which is now to be released as v5. You can download it from your prvivate dwoenloadpage after logging in at http://www.blaisepascal.eu/loginnew.php Fortunately, if you have kbmmw Enterprise Edition it's very easy to rebrand CodeGear Edition to something that match for example your company, if you want to use it internally for your own users. Please notice that the license prohibits you to create competing products with the kbmmw Remote Desktop facilities, so you can't, without entering an agreement about it with ComponentsDevelopers, simply rebrand the product, and sell it on to someone. You can rebrand it and give it to your own users if you want to. Another alternative is that you can compile in the remote desktop features you need, into your own application, using the demo as a sample of how to code with the remote desktop classes. Issue Nr 2015 BLAISE PASCAL MAGAZINE 33
REBRANDING REMOTEDESKTOPCLIENT Let's look at what can be rebranded out of the box without having to do any code changes. When the RemoteDesktopClient.exe is being compiled, it is getting its branding resources from A logo bitmap, an icon file, a simple resource file that points to the bitmap and icon, and finally an include file, that defines various options. The logo file must be a 2 bit BMP file with the size of 29 pixels x 92 pixels. The icon file will typically be a 32 bit ICO file with a size of 32 pixels x 32 pixels, but other sizes are also accepted. The resource file must be named RemoteDesktopClientBranding.rc, and must contain two lines: BRANDIMAGE BITMAP CDLogo.BMP BRANDICON ICON RemoteDesktopClient.ico As you can see, all it does is to refer to the logo file and the icon file. So far so good. Now let's look at the last file. It's a Delphi.inc file which must be named RemoteDesktopClientSettings.inc. It contains a longish list of options, descriptive info and security keys. PAGE 2/ const KBMMW_RD_CLIENT_DEFAULT_NODEID:string = 'DEMO'; // SHA256 hash for text DEMO (uppercase) // Use any SHA256 calculator. // Example: http://hash.onlineconvert.com/sha256generator // The password will be required to enter, //if KBMMW_RD_CLIENT_REQUIRE_PASSWORD // is defined. KBMMW_RD_CLIENT_APPLICATION_PASSWORD_HASH: array[0..31] of byte = ( $f,$f0,$06,$ca,$6b,$88,$e7,$52, $f0,$8c,$b7,$88,$17,$1,$50,$5c, $eb,$3d,$20,$79,$ee,$a,$32,$ac, $fd,$a8,$e1,$58,$e0,$d1,$d8,$2e ); KBMMW_RD_CLIENT_APPLICATION_TITLE:string = 'kbmmw Remote Desktop Client v5.0'; KBMMW_RD_CLIENT_CAPTION:string = 'kbmmw Remote Desktop Client v5.0'; KBMMW_RD_CLIENT_ABOUT:string = 'The RemoteDesktop suite is a demonstration of'+ ' kbmmw Enterprise Edition capabilities. +#10#13#10#13 +'The RemoteDesktop executables can be shared freely. +#10#13 +'The source can only be obtained as part of a kbmmw Enterprise Edition license, +'and may not be shared with any 3rdparty or used to create 3rdparty developer '+ ' libraries or products competing with ComponentsDevelopers products.' +#10#13#10#13 +'Visit www.componentsdevelopers.com for more information.'; // Define this to use simple form {.$DEFINE KBMMW_RD_CLIENT_SIMPLE} // Define this to use simple settings {.$DEFINE KBMMW_RD_CLIENT_SIMPLE_SETTINGS} {.$DEFINE KBMMW_RD_CLIENT_SIMPLEST_SETTINGS} // Define this to require password to run {.$DEFINE KBMMW_RD_CLIENT_REQUIRE_PASSWORD} // Define this to support chat features {$DEFINE KBMMW_RD_CLIENT_SUPPORT_CHAT} // Define this to support filetransfer features {$DEFINE KBMMW_RD_CLIENT_SUPPORT_FILETRANSFER} // Define this to support remote windows features {$DEFINE KBMMW_RD_CLIENT_SUPPORT_REMOTEWINDOWS} // Define this to support sending CTRL/ALT/DELETE {.$DEFINE KBMMW_RD_CLIENT_SUPPORT_CTRLALTDEL} // Define this to support sending desktop lock {.$DEFINE KBMMW_RD_CLIENT_SUPPORT_LOCK_DESKTOP} The first section contains a number of options that can be enabled or disabled. To enable a setting, change the {.$DEFINE } to {$DEFINE } (remove the dot). The settings are KBMMW_RD_CLIENT_SIMPLE If that is defined, the client (the viewer) will have a simple logon screen. There will not be any options for specifying the Node ID (name) of the host. The name will have to be predefined in the inc file. That also means that this viewer app, can only connect to one well known server name. // Define this to use encryption (AES/SHA256) {$DEFINE KBMMW_RD_CLIENT_USE_ENCRYPTION} 3 Issue Nr 2015 BLAISE PASCAL MAGAZINE
See KBMMW_RD_CLIENT_DEFAULT_NODEID. KBMMW_RD_CLIENT_SIMPLE_SETTINGS If that is defined, the client will only see a number of simple options when remoting a server. Basically the client will not be allowed to change capture mode (GDI, DX9 or DX11), change the priority with which the server application runs, enable or disable presentation of update regions, or to view the frame counter. For most end users, it makes sense to have this option set. KBMMW_RD_CLIENT_SIMPLEST_SETTINGS If that is defined, the user of the viewer will also not be able to change compression mode, view mode (color quality of pixels), zoom and scaling, change of aspect radio, change of screen update intervals, change of key frame settings. Some users may want to be able to play with these settings, so it's up to you if to disable this option. KBMMW_RD_CLIENT_REQUIRE_PASSWORD If defined, it require the user to type in a password before being able to run the RemoteDestopClient application. This way you can prevent unauthorized use of the client application if you have that requirement. Look at KBMMW_RD_CLIENT_APPLICATION_PASSWORD_HAS H for more info. DEFINE KBMMW_RD_CLIENT_SUPPORT_CHAT If defined the viewer supports opening a text chat window to chat with the user at the remote computer. KBMMW_RD_CLIENT_SUPPORT_FILETRANSFER If defined, the viewer includes file manager support for the remote computer, and you can send, receive and execute files on the remote computer. It may or may not be wise to include this option for ordinary users, unless they really need to be able to send or receive files. KBMMW_RD_CLIENT_SUPPORT_REMOTEWINDOWS If defined, the client (viewer) can see a list of all live windows on the remote computer, and optionally kill or focus them via the list. It may not be wise to include this option for ordinary users. KBMMW_RD_CLIENT_SUPPORT_CTRLALTDEL When defined, the client is able to send Ctrl/Alt/Delete (3 key combo) to the remote computer and thus activate its secure desktop. It's wise to disable this option, unless you have installed the Remote Desktop service (which is also included in the package) on the remote computer. If you run the remote desktop server directly and manually without this service, then the client/viewer will loose access to the computer while the secure desktop is shown. PAGE 3/ KBMMW_RD_CLIENT_USE_ENCRYPTION When defined, all communication between the client/viewer and server on the remote computer is strongly encrypted using SHA256 and AES. It is recommended to have this enabled. KBMMW_RD_CLIENT_DEFAULT_NODEID This is a constant string, which can be set to the default node ID of the server to remote. Its required if you have defined KBMMW_RD_CLIENT_SIMPLE. KBMMW_RD_CLIENT_APPLICATION_PASSWORD _HASH This is an array of bytes which contains a 32 byte SHA256 hash of a password the user has to key in before being allowed to use the client/viewer. You can for example use http://hash.onlineconvert.com/sha256generator to generate a usable SHA256 hash for you and copy it to this constant array. A valid hash must be given if you have defined KBMMW_RD_CLIENT_REQUIRE_PASSWORD. KBMMW_RD_CLIENT_APPLICATION_TITLE This Is a constant string which will be shown whenever the application is being identified in for example the task manager. KBMMW_RD_CLIENT_CAPTION This is a constant string which will be shown at the top of all windows in the client/viewer application. KBMMW_RD_CLIENT_ABOUT This is also a constant string, which contains whatever you want to have shown in the dialog shown when pressing More information. When you have defined the settings you want, you simply rebuild the RemoteDesktopClient project. The generated RemoteDeskotpClient.exe file will have been rebranded with your branding. REBRANDING REMOTEDESKTOPSERVER Similarly to the client, the server also uses files. One logo image with the same size as the client logo (29 pixels x 92 pixels x 2 bit BMP). One icon file with same dimensions requirements as the client icon. One resource file that must be named RemoteDesktopServerBranding.rc KBMMW_RD_CLIENT_SUPPORT_LOCK_DESKTOP When defined it allows sending a desktop Lock request to the remote computer. See above why this prevents the viewer to continue access on the remote computer unless the Remote Desktop service is installed. The resource file is identical in structure to the clients resource file: BRANDIMAGE BITMAP CDLogo.BMP BRANDICON ICON Issue Nr 2015 BLAISE PASCAL MAGAZINE 35
The settings file is different: // Define this to use simple form {.$DEFINE KBMMW_RD_SERVER_SIMPLE} // Define this to require typing in a password {$DEFINE KBMMW_RD_SERVER_REQUIRE_PASSWORD} // Define this to support annotation/chat features {$DEFINE KBMMW_RD_SERVER_SUPPORT_ANNOTATE} // Define this to blink SHARING information {$DEFINE KBMMW_RD_SERVER_BLINK_SHARING} // Define this to use encryption (AES/SHA256) {$DEFINE KBMMW_RD_SERVER_USE_ENCRYPTION} const KBMMW_RD_SERVER_DEFAULT_NODEID:string KBMMW_RD_SERVER_DEFAULT_PORT:integer KBMMW_RD_SERVER_USE_ENCRYPTION If defined the server will use strong encryption via SHA256 and AES. Its recommended to have this setting. KBMMW_RD_SERVER_DEFAULT_NODEID It's a constant string which defines the default name (Node ID) of the server. It must match what the client is going to use. KBMMW_RD_SERVER_DEFAULT_PORT The default TCP/IP port number the server is listening on when its ready to remote, and a proxy server is not used. KBMMW_RD_SERVER_APPLICATION_TITLE This Is a constant string which will be shown whenever the application is being identified in for example the task manager. = 'DEMO'; = 500; KBMMW_RD_SERVER_APPLICATION_TITLE:string = 'kbmmw Remote Desktop Server v5.0'; KBMMW_RD_SERVER_CAPTION:string = 'kbmmw Remote Desktop Server v5.0'; KBMMW_RD_SERVER_ABOUT:string = 'The RemoteDesktop suite is a demonstration of kbmmw + ' Enterprise Edition capabilities.'+#10#13#10#13 + 'The RemoteDesktop executables can be shared freely.'+#10#13 + 'The source can only be obtained as part of a kbmmw Enterprise + ' Edition license, and may not be shared with any 3rdparty or used + ' to create 3rdparty developer libraries or products competing with + ' ComponentsDevelopers products.'+#10#13#10#13 + 'Visit www.componentsdevelopers.com for more information.'; KBMMW_RD_SERVER_BAD_PERFORMANCE_TRESHOLD:integer = 500; KBMMW_RD_SERVER_SIMPLE If defined, then a simple startup screen is shown, where it's not possible to specify the servers name (Node ID), the servers listening port, or to set the hostname/ip (InternetProtocol) address of an optional Proxy server. The proxy server is a centrally placed small application which both servers and clients can connect to. This way one does not have to open up any inbound ports in firewalls on the machines that the remote desktop server is running on. KBMMW_RD_SERVER_REQUIRE_PASSWORD If defined, the server requires that a password is entered before starting the server. The password will later be required to be entered by any client/viewer that is to remote the computer. KBMMW_RD_SERVER_SUPPORT_ANNOTATE If defined, then the server supports annotation and chat features. KBMMW_RD_SERVER_BLINK_SHARING If defined the server will indicate that its open for remoting by blinking a Sharing text in the upper left corner of the screen. 36 PAGE / KBMMW_RD_SERVER_CAPTION This is a constant string which will be shown at the top of all windows in the server application. KBMMW_RD_SERVER_ABOUT This is a constant string, which contains whatever you want to have shown in the dialog shown when pressing More information. KBMMW_RD_SERVER_BAD_PERFORMANCE _TRESHOLD This is a constant integer value that defines how long time (in milliseconds) it's accepted to take, for obtaining a screenshot via GDI (Graphics Device Interface). When the server starts up, it tries to measure if the server hardware is fast enough to make the experience reasonably for both the viewer and any local users on the remote machine. If it fails, its typically due to a dodgy or old graphics card, and its recommended to disable hardware acceleration on that card, as it impairs performance. For more modern cards, it's not an issue. After setting up the settings and providing the bitmaps and icons, compile the RemoteDesktopServer project, and you have a rebranded remote desktop server. EPILOGUE As kbmmw is a modular framework, one can choose only to use the remote desktop features, its logging capabilities, its XML capabilities, its JSON capabilities, its serialization capabilities, its application server capabilities, its database capabilities, its stream storage capabilities, its memory table or its async messaging capabilities etc without having to use all other parts of the kbmmw framework. But obviously, you will get the best of the best if you take the plunge and choose to take advantage of all the kbmmw features you need in your applications as all parts are designed to work in perfect harmony with each other. Kim Madsen/CD Issue Nr 2015 BLAISE PASCAL MAGAZINE
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