Can Remote Desktop Software Work Without Internet?
There is no doubt that remote desktop software offers a valuable tool to view or control devices remotely. However, with many of these applications being browser-based, you may not be sure whether your chosen remote desktop software can function without an internet connection.
Remote desktop software can work without the internet by using internal connections such as a local area network (LAN). Through LAN, users can access their desired content remotely. However, web-based remote desktop software requires an internet connection to function.
This article will explore all you need to know about remote desktop software functionality in offline mode. Let’s jump right in.
Does Remote Desktop Software Have an Offline Mode?
Remote desktop software does not have an offline mode. Remote desktop software lets you access target computers remotely, either through the internet or through some other type of network connection such as LAN.
The bulk of remote desktop software allows remote access via the internet and mostly via a web browser. A growing trend is a demand for applications that can provide remote access to devices while on the road, where internet access may be limited or unavailable.
This demand has resulted in the emergence of some handy tools, such as the Remote Desktop Manager by Devolutions. It features an offline mode that allows users to access a local copy of the target data source even without a direct connection to the data source.
Can Remote Desktop Software Work Without the Internet?
With offline mode, it’s possible to use remote desktop software without the internet. While most people use desktop software to connect to target computers via the internet, it is possible to connect to a target computer through other network connections while using these applications.
According to Business News Daily, remote desktop software require an internet connection to link to a device remotely. However, technically, remote desktop software is an application that makes it possible to connect to or interact with a computer remotely via an internal network or the internet.
However, the difference in the views expressed by both sources is understandable. There are numerous remote desktop applications to choose from. However, assuming that all of these applications are similar and have similar functionalities is incorrect.
No Two Remote Desktop Software Are the Same
Each remote desktop software has unique features and requirements, so we can’t always assume that a remote desktop software will or will not allow remote connections. However, the bulk of remote desktop software requires an internet connection. This is especially true for browser-based software.
The software gurus at ManageEngine refer to these remote desktop applications as web-based remote software. Their common feature is that they are web-based, which means it’s impossible to use them without the internet.
Take the Wolfeye Remote Screen, for instance. It’s an excellent example of web-based remote software that allows users to monitor and view live PC screens over the internet. With Wolfeye Remote Screen, users can access computer screens remotely from anywhere in the world, allowing them to keep track of their systems even when they are away from home or the office.
The Limitations of LAN Connection for Remote Software
While using remote desktop software without the internet and over internal networks is possible, this approach may not be ideal for non-enterprise clients.
One of the limitations of using the LAN connection for remote software is that the coverage of the internal network itself limits access to the device. Therefore, it should be no surprise that remote access via internal connections is popular among enterprise clients.
If you’re an average user who needs information from a target computer that is outside the range of the internal network of LAN coverage, web-based remote software comes in handy.
Highly Useful Remote Desktop Applications
TeamViewer
Using TeamViewer, you can establish remote control sessions over a local area network. This is either using the computer’s IP address or the computer name if the network supports DNS resolution.
To use this application via LAN connections, you first need to enable this feature in the application’s settings. Specifically, you have to allow incoming LAN connections in the same way that some remote software requires you to provide permission for remote access via the internet.
In a LAN connection, the software is disconnected from the internet. Therefore, you won’t receive any connections using the application ID. However, if another user wants to connect to your computer, they can enter your computer’s IP address into TeamViewer’s Partner ID field and connect to your computer.
AnyDesk
AnyDesk supports remote connection over an internal network. According to the AnyDesk website, the application provides an On-Premises option for its enterprise clients. Through this option, the AnyDesk server will be hosted on the local network.
After setting up AnyDesk through a local network, users can begin a session between two computers as long as both endpoints can detect the locally hosted server.
This feature removes some of the limitations of AnyDesk’s cloud version, which requires the internet. However, while using remote desktop software over a local network is viable, it appears that this is not the most popular application of the technology.
If you prefer using an internal connection over the internet, I recommend asking the sales agent whether your chosen remote desktop software supports a LAN connection.
Wolfeye Remote Screen
Wolfeye Remote Screen is a remote tracking and monitoring solution for small businesses and everyday users. This browser-based software allows you to monitor any device through the internet. With Wolfeye, you can keep an eye on your devices from any location, no matter the time of the day.
As long as you have installed the Wolfeye remote screen software on the target computer, you can easily access this computer remotely via a web browser, another computer, or your mobile phone.
In addition, you can view and monitor the live screen in real-time as if you were in the same room as your computer.
Conclusion
In closing, you can technically access connected devices remotely via internal networks such as LAN, which support data access and sharing without the internet.
However, not all remote desktop software support such connections, so it is important to inquire if your chosen software supports such connections before making a purchase.
Sources
- Devolutions Remote Desktop Manager Help: Offline Mode
- Devolutions: Start Offline – How to Use Remote Desktop Manager Offline Mode
- TechRepublic: Set up a remote computer to work offline
- Business News Daily: What Is Remote Desktop Software?
- LearnTomato: Setup a Remote Desktop Connection for LAN / WAN Access
- TeamViewer Community: Use TeamViewer in LAN
- G2: Best Remote Desktop Software
- ManageEngine Remote Access Plus: Web-Based Remote Desktop Software
- AnyDesk Help Center: On-Premises
- Wolfeye Remote Screen: home page