Hi, Scenario 1: Forget anything like the VmWare client for remote access, it doesn't provide audio redirection and is just a console screen image. RDP will work in two ways: 1. Using JFW or WindowEyes installed on the server and client. You get good speech and Braille feedback, but need the AT installed on the server as well. 2. Same as above, but using audio redirection to get the speech to your desktop. This has the advantage that you can use NVDA on the server in this mode, but is laggy and also requires that the Windows Audio service is running, and Group Policy is set to redirect audio. No Braille support. I am hoping that at some point NVDA can work in option 1, as that would be very cool. I think the option 1 is only available if an RDP hook driver is installed on the server, which is slightly intrusive, but not as intrusive as installing JFW or WE etc. Scenario 2 is kind of similar with the remote audio redirection and RDP for local machines where you can remote into them using RDP, but if using tools such as Team Viewer or Log Me In, then you need to use audio redirection and a screen reader installed on the machine. There is also Remote Access Manager from Serotek, but I haven't played with these. Thanks. Andrew. -----Original Message----- From: Blind-sysadmins [mailto:blind-sysadmins-bounces@lists.hodgsonfamily.org] On Behalf Of Mika Pyyhkala Sent: 26 December 2013 22:35 To: Blind sysadmins list Subject: [Blind-sysadmins] Best Remote Desktop Tools for Accessing Servers & Desktops Hi, I would like to present two scenarios, and see what sort of tools or combination of tools people are using & find most helpful for accessing remote desktop sessions or similar functionality. Scenario 1: Server Access I will sometimes need to remote desktop in to a server such as an Exchange server or a Office Communicator server. While most functions can be performed from your desktop pc client using a console or Powershell, there are some functions that must be performed logged in to the server itself. My challenge is now when I use MSTSC I lose speech almost immediately since these servers do not have Jaws or other AT on them. We may also need to enable the Windows audio service as I am not sure that even Narrator will work at this point. We also have a VMWare infrastructure for many of our servers, but the VmWare console, it is kind of like remote desktop or being on the console itself, does not appear to work with Jaws....I did not really think it would work. So far I have been able to use the assistance of colleagues, but I wonder how others do this? Right now I launch the MSTSC and then let someone else "drive." I think a real issue, and perhaps an easy one, may be that our servers just aren't enabled by default with the Windows Audio service to allow Narrator. But then again, if its a complex task, I don't think I would get enough information from Narrator alone, and it may be time consuming to use Narrator. Scenario 2: Access to a Users Desktop I will also sometimes need to access a remote desktop type session on an end users Windows XP or Windows 7 desktop computer. This might be to install or configure an application, troubleshoot something, or work on say a machine in our training room. These machines also would not have Jaws or any other AT on them, although as needed it would be easier to install AT on these machines than it would be on our production servers :). Under this scenario also may be helping a remote user or family member in a different physical location. I have done this a little with Jaws tandem in the past and it has worked relatively well again if the end user I am trying to help has Jaws. I know I have read some discussions about remote desktop but I'm just wondering how exactly folks handle these scenarios, and what type of tools & solutions are best? Best, Mika Pyyhkala ________________________________ This message contains information from Neighborhood Health Plan that may be confidential or privileged. This message is directed only to the individual or entity named above. If you are not the intended recipient, please be aware that any disclosure, copying, distribution, or use of the contents of this email is prohibited. If you have received this email in error, please notify the sender immediately and delete the message and any attachments. _______________________________________________ Blind-sysadmins mailing list Blind-sysadmins@lists.hodgsonfamily.org http://lists.hodgsonfamily.org/listinfo/blind-sysadmins