Remote access
Connect to endpoints remotely with secure screen sharing and terminal access.
Overview
Remote access in Xcellerate RMM lets you take control of an endpoint's desktop or open a terminal session — directly from the web UI, with no VPN or additional software required on the technician's side. Sessions are encrypted end-to-end and logged for audit compliance.
The module supports three connection modes: screen sharing (view and control the desktop), remote terminal (PowerShell / Bash shell), and file transfer (drag-and-drop files between your machine and the endpoint).
Key concepts
- Screen sharing — real-time streaming of the endpoint's desktop. You can view and control the mouse and keyboard. Supports multi-monitor endpoints.
- Remote terminal — a browser-based shell (PowerShell on Windows, Bash on Linux/macOS) that runs on the endpoint. Commands execute with SYSTEM-level privileges by default.
- File transfer — upload files from your machine to the endpoint or download files from the endpoint, using a drag-and-drop panel alongside the remote session.
- Unattended access — connect to endpoints even when no user is logged in. The agent handles the connection without end-user interaction.
- Attended access — the end user sees a prompt asking them to approve the remote session. Use this mode for user-facing support scenarios.
- Session recording — optionally record remote sessions for audit or training purposes. Recordings are stored on the server.
Step-by-step walkthrough
Start a screen-sharing session
Navigate to the endpoint detail page and click Remote access → Screen sharing. A new tab opens with the live desktop stream. Use the toolbar at the top for clipboard sync, multi-monitor switching, and display scaling.
Open a remote terminal
On the endpoint detail page, click Remote access → Terminal. A browser-based shell opens. Type commands as if you were sitting at the machine. Output is streamed in real time.
Transfer files
During an active screen-sharing or terminal session, click the File transfer icon in the toolbar. The panel shows the endpoint's file system on the left and a drop zone on the right. Drag files between the two sides.
Configure attended vs. unattended
Go to Administration → System settings → Remote access. Set the default mode (attended or unattended) and customise the end-user consent prompt text. You can also set per-group overrides.
Review session history
Go to Remote access → Session log. Each entry shows the technician, endpoint, duration, connection mode, and a link to the recording (if enabled).
Tips & best practices
- Use attended mode when the end user is present — it builds trust and avoids surprise sessions.
- Lower the display quality setting when connecting over slow links to reduce latency.
- Enable session recording for compliance-heavy environments (healthcare, finance) — recordings provide an audit trail.
- Use the remote terminal for quick diagnostic commands instead of full screen sharing — it uses far less bandwidth.
- Set up idle session timeout in system settings to automatically close forgotten sessions.