Remote Graphics Software

Infobox_Software
name = Remote Graphics Software



caption =
developer = Hewlett-Packard
latest_release_version = 5.1.3
latest_release_date =
operating_system = HP-UX, Red Hat Linux, Windows 2000, Windows XP
genre = Remote desktop software (client software and server software)
license = proprietary
website = http://hp.com/go/rgs

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 Remote Desktop Protocol, NX technology, Independent Computing Architecture, or 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.

References

* http://www.augi.com/publications/hotnews.asp?page=1751
* http://h20219.www2.hp.com/Hpsub/downloads/HP_RGS_FAQ.pdf
* http://www.hp.com/sbso/solutions/pc_expertise/article/remote_graphics.html

External links

* [http://hp.com/go/rgs Remote Graphics Software homepage]