Remote Graphics Software
Encyclopedia
Remote Graphics Software is a client-server remote desktop
software solution developed by Hewlett-Packard
, to enable remote access to high-performance workstations from a thin-client
machine. This access includes control of the graphics hardware on the server, enabling manipulation of large, complex 3D models. Remote USB and sound are also supported.
RGS is essentially the same concept as existing remote desktop technologies such as Microsoft's Remote Desktop Protocol
, NX technology
, Oracle/Sun Microsystems' Appliance Link Protocol
, Citrix's Independent Computing Architecture
, or VNC's Virtual Network Computing
in that all the processing including hardware-accelerated graphics rendering is done on the server and only compressed bitmap images are sent to the client, but is distinguished by its proprietary compression algorithm which allows for real-time transmission of complex 3D images and video, which existing remote desktop protocols struggle with. This opens up the use of remote desktops and thin clients to graphics-intensive industries such as CAD which have previously required local workstations.
There are two components to the software, purchased separately - the server (known as the 'sender' in HP parlance) and the client (or 'receiver', as HP calls it). There are also 2 editions: the PC edition, which is limited to 2 processors and certain screen resolutions, and the workstation edition which does not have these limitations.
The software supports OpenGL
and Microsoft Direct3D
(up to version 9) graphics libraries.
A trial version is available on the site, which can be downloaded upon registration.
HP claims that the RGS video compression codec
, currently designated HP3, is derived from a patented system developed for the NASA
Mars Rover
program. This implies that HP3 is an implementation of the ICER
wavelet compression scheme and potentially the first real-time commercial product based on ICER.
Remote Desktop
Remote Desktop may refer to:* Remote desktop software** Apple Remote Desktop** Remote Desktop Services** Remote Desktop Protocol* Desktop sharing...
software solution developed by Hewlett-Packard
Hewlett-Packard
Hewlett-Packard Company or HP is an American multinational information technology corporation headquartered in Palo Alto, California, USA that provides products, technologies, softwares, solutions and services to consumers, small- and medium-sized businesses and large enterprises, including...
, to enable remote access to high-performance workstations from a thin-client
Thin client
A thin client is a computer or a computer program which depends heavily on some other computer to fulfill its traditional computational roles. This stands in contrast to the traditional fat client, a computer designed to take on these roles by itself...
machine. This access includes control of the graphics hardware on the server, enabling manipulation of large, complex 3D models. Remote USB and sound are also supported.
RGS is essentially the same concept as existing remote desktop technologies such as Microsoft's Remote Desktop Protocol
Remote Desktop Protocol
Remote Desktop Protocol is a proprietary protocol developed by Microsoft, which provides a user with a graphical interface to another computer. The protocol is an extension of the ITU-T T.128 application sharing protocol. Clients exist for most versions of Microsoft Windows , Linux, Unix, Mac OS...
, NX technology
NX technology
NX technology is a computer program that handles remote X Window System connections, and attempts to greatly improve on the performance of the native X display protocol to the point that it can be usable over a slow link such as a dial-up modem...
, Oracle/Sun Microsystems' Appliance Link Protocol
Appliance Link Protocol
The Appliance Link Protocol is used by Sun Ray ultra thin clients to talk to Sun Ray servers. The closed source implementation of the Sun Ray Server Software is developed and distributed by Sun Microsystems...
, Citrix's Independent Computing Architecture
Independent Computing Architecture
Independent Computing Architecture is a proprietary protocol for an application server system, designed by Citrix Systems. The protocol lays down a specification for passing data between server and clients, but is not bound to any one platform....
, or VNC's Virtual Network Computing
Virtual Network Computing
In computing, Virtual Network Computing is a graphical desktop sharing system that uses the RFB protocol to remotely control another computer...
in that all the processing including hardware-accelerated graphics rendering is done on the server and only compressed bitmap images are sent to the client, but is distinguished by its proprietary compression algorithm which allows for real-time transmission of complex 3D images and video, which existing remote desktop protocols struggle with. This opens up the use of remote desktops and thin clients to graphics-intensive industries such as CAD which have previously required local workstations.
There are two components to the software, purchased separately - the server (known as the 'sender' in HP parlance) and the client (or 'receiver', as HP calls it). There are also 2 editions: the PC edition, which is limited to 2 processors and certain screen resolutions, and the workstation edition which does not have these limitations.
The software supports OpenGL
OpenGL
OpenGL is a standard specification defining a cross-language, cross-platform API for writing applications that produce 2D and 3D computer graphics. The interface consists of over 250 different function calls which can be used to draw complex three-dimensional scenes from simple primitives. OpenGL...
and Microsoft Direct3D
Direct3D
Direct3D is part of Microsoft's DirectX application programming interface . Direct3D is available for Microsoft Windows operating systems , and for other platforms through the open source software Wine. It is the base for the graphics API on the Xbox and Xbox 360 console systems...
(up to version 9) graphics libraries.
A trial version is available on the site, which can be downloaded upon registration.
HP claims that the RGS video compression codec
Codec
A codec is a device or computer program capable of encoding or decoding a digital data stream or signal. The word codec is a portmanteau of "compressor-decompressor" or, more commonly, "coder-decoder"...
, currently designated HP3, is derived from a patented system developed for the NASA
NASA
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration is the agency of the United States government that is responsible for the nation's civilian space program and for aeronautics and aerospace research...
Mars Rover
Mars Rover
A Mars rover is an automated motor vehicle which propels itself across the surface of the planet Mars after landing.Rovers have several advantages over stationary landers: they examine more territory, they can be directed to interesting features, they can place themselves in sunny positions to...
program. This implies that HP3 is an implementation of the ICER
ICER
ICER is a wavelet-based image compression file format used by the NASA Mars Rovers. ICER has both lossy and lossless compression modes.The Mars Exploration Rovers “Spirit” and “Opportunity” both use ICER...
wavelet compression scheme and potentially the first real-time commercial product based on ICER.