Bomgar
Encyclopedia
Bomgar is a remote control system for computer systems that enable support staff to take control of client computers to offer assistance. The system works by connecting the host and client to a virtual server or racked appliance through firewalls
. The desktop sharing and file transfer works behind firewalls to enable remote support. Bomgar's solutions are geared toward enterprises
.
of an organization and outside entities. The appliance works with the own software applications as well as other third party remote support providers. The Bomgar software provides the standard tools for remote desktop control such as file transfer, session recording, reboot and reconnect, multiple monitor support, and chat. The software uses a 256-bit AES
SSL encryption and supports Mac
, Linux
, Windows Mobile
, BlackBerry
and Windows PCs
.
Bomgar enables remote desktop control through firewalls by initiating the connection from the user's system to the Bomgar appliance on standard TCP ports 80,443 and 8200. The appliances are typically installed in the demilitarized zone. This allows both the technician and the remote client to establish remote desktop control using outbound connections. This customer-initiated session counts as outbound traffic, similar to browsing the web. Since a firewall is designed to allow outbound traffic while blocking inbound traffic, Bomgar can connect without requiring changes to existing firewall configuration.
This architecture also enables the technician to begin remote control even if there is no pre-installed client on the end-user's system prior to starting the session. When a customer requests support, they run the Bomgar customer client software. The client software only runs for the duration of the remote support session. At the end of the remote control session the software fully uninstalls.
The average bandwidth
per remote control session hovers between 0Kb and 40Kb per second, depending on what the technician is doing.
. The user must initiate the remote control software session by clicking a link on the support representative's website. Bomgar works through firewalls
without any firewall configuration and does not require a software client to be installed on the remote user’s computer. Bomgar works with most Windows-based PCs, Mac OS X, Linux and Unix systems.
The B300 is an enterprise level appliance that can be integrated with LDAP and BMC Remedy. A virtual appliance titled the B300v was introduced in the 1st quarter of 2009. The B300v runs over VMWare's ESX server and duplicates the capabilities of the hardware based B300.
Level 2 compliant, which means that they meet requirements determined by the National Institute of Standards and Technology
for hardware and software.
Firewall (computing)
A firewall is a device or set of devices designed to permit or deny network transmissions based upon a set of rules and is frequently used to protect networks from unauthorized access while permitting legitimate communications to pass....
. The desktop sharing and file transfer works behind firewalls to enable remote support. Bomgar's solutions are geared toward enterprises
Business
A business is an organization engaged in the trade of goods, services, or both to consumers. Businesses are predominant in capitalist economies, where most of them are privately owned and administered to earn profit to increase the wealth of their owners. Businesses may also be not-for-profit...
.
Technology overview
Launched in 2003 by the Bomgar Corporation, Bomgar is an enterprise remote support solution used as a mediator between the service desk/firewallFirewall (computing)
A firewall is a device or set of devices designed to permit or deny network transmissions based upon a set of rules and is frequently used to protect networks from unauthorized access while permitting legitimate communications to pass....
of an organization and outside entities. The appliance works with the own software applications as well as other third party remote support providers. The Bomgar software provides the standard tools for remote desktop control such as file transfer, session recording, reboot and reconnect, multiple monitor support, and chat. The software uses a 256-bit AES
Advanced Encryption Standard
Advanced Encryption Standard is a specification for the encryption of electronic data. It has been adopted by the U.S. government and is now used worldwide. It supersedes DES...
SSL encryption and supports Mac
Macintosh
The Macintosh , or Mac, is a series of several lines of personal computers designed, developed, and marketed by Apple Inc. The first Macintosh was introduced by Apple's then-chairman Steve Jobs on January 24, 1984; it was the first commercially successful personal computer to feature a mouse and a...
, Linux
Linux
Linux is a Unix-like computer operating system assembled under the model of free and open source software development and distribution. The defining component of any Linux system is the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released October 5, 1991 by Linus Torvalds...
, Windows Mobile
Windows Mobile
Windows Mobile is a mobile operating system developed by Microsoft that was used in smartphones and Pocket PCs, but by 2011 was rarely supplied on new phones. The last version is "Windows Mobile 6.5.5"; it is superseded by Windows Phone, which does not run Windows Mobile software.Windows Mobile is...
, BlackBerry
BlackBerry
BlackBerry is a line of mobile email and smartphone devices developed and designed by Canadian company Research In Motion since 1999.BlackBerry devices are smartphones, designed to function as personal digital assistants, portable media players, internet browsers, gaming devices, and much more...
and Windows PCs
Microsoft Windows
Microsoft Windows is a series of operating systems produced by Microsoft.Microsoft introduced an operating environment named Windows on November 20, 1985 as an add-on to MS-DOS in response to the growing interest in graphical user interfaces . Microsoft Windows came to dominate the world's personal...
.
Bomgar enables remote desktop control through firewalls by initiating the connection from the user's system to the Bomgar appliance on standard TCP ports 80,443 and 8200. The appliances are typically installed in the demilitarized zone. This allows both the technician and the remote client to establish remote desktop control using outbound connections. This customer-initiated session counts as outbound traffic, similar to browsing the web. Since a firewall is designed to allow outbound traffic while blocking inbound traffic, Bomgar can connect without requiring changes to existing firewall configuration.
This architecture also enables the technician to begin remote control even if there is no pre-installed client on the end-user's system prior to starting the session. When a customer requests support, they run the Bomgar customer client software. The client software only runs for the duration of the remote support session. At the end of the remote control session the software fully uninstalls.
The average bandwidth
Bandwidth (computing)
In computer networking and computer science, bandwidth, network bandwidth, data bandwidth, or digital bandwidth is a measure of available or consumed data communication resources expressed in bits/second or multiples of it .Note that in textbooks on wireless communications, modem data transmission,...
per remote control session hovers between 0Kb and 40Kb per second, depending on what the technician is doing.
Bomgar Box
The Bomgar Box is a remote support solution developed by Bomgar Corporation. The Bomgar Box was formerly called the SupportDesk Appliance, and the company previously went by the name "NetworkStreaming, Inc", and Expert VNC prior to that. It enables a support representative to gain screen, mouse and keyboard control of a remote user’s computer for the purposes of technical supportTechnical support
Technical support or tech support refers to a range of services by which enterprises provide assistance to users of technology products such as mobile phones, televisions, computers, software products or other electronic or mechanical goods...
. The user must initiate the remote control software session by clicking a link on the support representative's website. Bomgar works through firewalls
Firewall (computing)
A firewall is a device or set of devices designed to permit or deny network transmissions based upon a set of rules and is frequently used to protect networks from unauthorized access while permitting legitimate communications to pass....
without any firewall configuration and does not require a software client to be installed on the remote user’s computer. Bomgar works with most Windows-based PCs, Mac OS X, Linux and Unix systems.
The B300 is an enterprise level appliance that can be integrated with LDAP and BMC Remedy. A virtual appliance titled the B300v was introduced in the 1st quarter of 2009. The B300v runs over VMWare's ESX server and duplicates the capabilities of the hardware based B300.
Compliance
Bomgar is FIPS 140-2FIPS 140-2
The Federal Information Processing Standard Publication 140-2, , is a U.S. government computer security standard used to accredit cryptographic modules. The title is Security Requirements for Cryptographic Modules...
Level 2 compliant, which means that they meet requirements determined by the National Institute of Standards and Technology
National Institute of Standards and Technology
The National Institute of Standards and Technology , known between 1901 and 1988 as the National Bureau of Standards , is a measurement standards laboratory, otherwise known as a National Metrological Institute , which is a non-regulatory agency of the United States Department of Commerce...
for hardware and software.
See also
- Comparison of remote desktop software
- Remote desktop softwareRemote desktop softwareIn computing, the term remote desktop refers to a software or an OS feature allowing applications, either command line programs or graphical applications, to be run remotely on a server, while being displayed locally. Remote desktop applications have varying features...
- Virtual help deskVirtual help deskA virtual help desk allows IT support organizations to virtually deploy IT technicians on demand to support a computer user experiencing technical issues. IT can efficiently manage and allocate global help desk resources, including – most importantly – its personnel, to access any computer to...
External links
- Bomgar Community
- Bomgar on YouTubeYouTubeYouTube is a video-sharing website, created by three former PayPal employees in February 2005, on which users can upload, view and share videos....
- Bomgar on TwitterTwitterTwitter is an online social networking and microblogging service that enables its users to send and read text-based posts of up to 140 characters, informally known as "tweets".Twitter was created in March 2006 by Jack Dorsey and launched that July...
- Bomgar on FacebookFacebookFacebook is a social networking service and website launched in February 2004, operated and privately owned by Facebook, Inc. , Facebook has more than 800 million active users. Users must register before using the site, after which they may create a personal profile, add other users as...
- Bomgar on LinkedInLinkedInLinkedIn is a business-related social networking site. Founded in December 2002 and launched in May 2003, it is mainly used for professional networking. , LinkedIn reports more than 120 million registered users in more than 200 countries and territories. The site is available in English, French,...
- Bomgar Appliance Comparison
- FIPS 140-2 Level 2 Certification