Remote desktop and smart cards

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Level 1

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Remote desktop and smart cards

I frequently work from home using my mac to access my windows based desktop at the office. I use the microsoft remote desktop v. 1.0.3. for MAC. Now that my agency is moving to smart card identification requirements for access I need to be able to use the smart card at home to sign onto the office desktop.

The RDC for MAC does not have an option for smart card readers (as opposed to the RDC for windows version). Is there alternative software that would be simple to install on my MAC (I am not an IT sophisticate) that will give me smart card access?

mac mini G4, Mac OS X (10.4.10)

Posted on Jul 9, 2007 7:23 AM

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Answer 1

mecklists

Level 4

1,795 points

Jul 9, 2007 6:38 PM in response to toto157

Microsoft Remote Desktop Connection (RDC) for Mac and Apple Remote Desktop (ARD) are two completely different tools with marginally similar capabilities. Unfortunately, as you've already discovered, neither offers Smart Card capabilities to allow you to authenticate to your Windows computer at work.

If your Mac is an Intel Mac then you could probably run Windows using Parallels or Boot Camp on your home computer and use the Windows RDC client to make your connection. I don't suggest trying to use VirtualPC if you have a PowerPC Mac simply because your Smart Card reader will most likely be USB and VirtualPC has a bad track record with USB devices.

Hope this helps!

bill
Mac OS X (10.4.10) 1 GHz Powerbook G4

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Answer 2

toto157 Author

Level 1

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Jul 13, 2007 5:47 AM in response to mecklists

Bill, thanks. I may well have to settle for running a parallel window system. An expensive complication I was hoping to avoid.
regards

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