What is the Action Switch, and how does it work?

What is the Action Switch, and how does it work? 

Introduction

The Action Switch is a simple [switch activated] hardware feature that allows you to connect, view and control your Kangaroo Mobile computer in a secure (disconnected) environment.

All Remote Desktop services available on the market today have one thing in common -- they require both the Host and Remote computers to be connected to internet (which allows IP based targeting) or operating on the same network with sharing enabled. The Action Switch requires neither.

Sliding the Action Switch on your Kangaroo Mobile Desktop (item 4 in the above Component & Feature illustrations) enables WiFi Direct mode on the Kangaroo Mobile Desktop, thus making your computer available (securely) to incoming connections.

What do we mean by disconnected? In an environment where network or internet access is not available, or desirable for security purposes, activating the Action Switch will allow you to connect to your Kangaroo Mobile Desktop and remotely view and control your computer using a range of other devices.

How do I use it?  

While Microsoft Windows 10 Professional includes all of the necessary protocols [to enable Remote Desktop services] by default, Windows 10 Home Edition explicitly excludes such services.

Nevertheless, there are many Open Source VNC (Virtual Network computing) solutions available that will allow you to enable Remote Desktop/Access capability on a Windows Home Edition version of the Microsoft Windows 10 operating system.

Using VNC Software to securely connect your Kangaroo Mobile Desktop

What VNC software should I use?

One of the great things about VNC software is that much on the market today remains Open Source, and there are many popular solutions available which enable remote connections using a variety of devices, such as Android, iOS and Linux. And most importantly, many of them are free for non-commercial use, and can be used independent of the Action Switch when both Host and Remote computers are either connected to the internet or operating on the same network.

Following are a few of the popular solutions that we've been playing with:

• RemoteMouse (http://remotemouse.net)
• RealVNC (http://www.realvnc.com)

Please Note:

• Although we mention only a few of the popular solutions here, there are many 3rd Party VNC services available. 
• For the purposes of this guide, our instructions on use of these VNC tools will remain generic while providing sufficient details to facilitate connections via practically any of the popular VNC solutions.

Definitions

• The Host or Server Computer: Is the target computer (the Kangaroo Mobile Desktop) to which you wish to connect and remotely control.
• The Remote or Client Computer: Is the computer or other device, such as a Windows, iOS or Android tablet computer (or phone) that you wish to use to remotely view and control the designated host.

What do I need to get started?

Both devices (host and client) need to be running a compatible VNC solution. This means that you will need to locate and download a VNC Server application to the host (i.e., your Kangaroo Mobile Desktop), and a VNC Client application (or viewer) to your remote device (your Windows, iOS or Android device).

Getting Connected - Basic Procedures

• Verify your VNC solution provider provides a Windows solution for your Kangaroo Mobile Desktop, as well as a compatible Client/Viewer software for your remote device.
• Download the VNC host/server software to your Kangaroo Mobile Desktop.
• Download the VNC client/viewer software to your remote device.  
• Make sure your Kangaroo Mobile Desktop computer is not connected to another WiFi network. 
• Slide the Action Switch to activate WiFi Direct (notice the blue LED next to the Action Switch is illuminated, and the presence of the Action Switch icon in the Windows taskbar notification area).
• Connect your remote device to WiFi network being broadcast from your Kangaroo Mobile Desktop computer.
• Activate the Host/Server software installed on your Kangaroo Mobile Desktop.
• Activate the Client/Viewer software installed on your remote device.

Note:

Once the VNC software is activated on both Host and Client devices all you need to establish the connection is a common set of credentials (IP address, authentications pass code, or username and password of the Host computer). Each VNC software differs slightly in their secure authentication methods, so this will require a basic understanding the VNC software that you've installed.

The following example assumes you have already installed the relevant VNC software on both the Kangaroo Mobile Desktop and the Remote device that you wish to use to control your Kangaroo product.

Preparing for a Remote Connection

• Sliding the Action Switch on the side of the Kangaroo Mobile Desktop activates WiFi Direct Mode, making the Kangaroo Mobile Desktop visible (as a WiFi AP) to remote computers.

• Double-clicking on the ActionSwitch  application icon (found in Windows Taskbar Notification Area of your Kangaroo Mobile Desktop) will activate the ActionSwitch application.

• Click the Function menu, and select Set to change the default Net name and Passcode before using (recommended).

Using a Remote Device to Connect to the Kangaroo via WiFi Direct

• Enable WiFi on the remote device and connect to the AP signal being broadcast from your Kangaroo Mobile Desktop computer. 
• Note, the default name shown would be "AnywhereAP". If you changed this (as recommended) then locate the network name and login using the password you created in the steps above.
• Launch the VNC Host/Server software installed on your Kangaroo Mobile Desktop.
• Launch the VNC Client/Viewer software installed on your remote device.

Important Note: 

To establish the connection between the two computers you may be required to specify the IP address or computer name of the Host computer and use the credentials (username and password) to login using the remote device.