How can I control a Windows client from another client through a web server?

Question

0.00/5 (No votes)

See more:

Summary

I am trying to create a system in .net C# that is an IT tool to control Windows clients where ever they are in the world. The agent needs to work over https and control will be given to an admin console else where in the world through a proxy web server. An example of the types of control I require are command line, registry, file explorer and VNC.

When requested by the admin console the client needs to respond straight away (if it is online). I understand this requires some sort of persistent connection to the web server.

Detail

I am currently using a web server running WCF. The agent that runs on the client works well in that the client can tell the web server its status on a timer however I am struggling to know how the admin console can request the agent to give control of registry etc through the WCF connection. Does this require a new connection to be opened using a different technology?

I have found that there are technologies such as SignalR which looks very interesting and could help but it is designed to send information/messages that are <32KB which obviously won't work with remote tools such as registry etc.

It is very frustrating as I have seen others use such remote control technology such as Kaseya and Naverisk. What sort of methods are they using?

Requirements

The agent is not to allow any ports in so it has to make a connection to the web server via https ready to take requests from an admin console.

Question

Can someone please point me in the right direction of what technology can do this type of communication through a web server?

I only know .net but would be prepared to look into other technologies if required.

Posted 20-Jan-16 2:35am

DavidGrey79

Add a Solution

1 solution

Add a Solution

Add your solution here

Treat my content as plain text, not as HTML

Preview 0

…

Existing Members

Sign in to your account

...or Join us

Download, Vote, Comment, Publish.

Your Email
Password
Forgot your password?

Your Email
This email is in use. Do you need your password?
Optional Password

I have read and agree to the Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
Please subscribe me to the CodeProject newsletters

When answering a question please:

Read the question carefully.
Understand that English isn't everyone's first language so be lenient of bad spelling and grammar.
If a question is poorly phrased then either ask for clarification, ignore it, or edit the question and fix the problem. Insults are not welcome.
Don't tell someone to read the manual. Chances are they have and don't get it. Provide an answer or move on to the next question.

Let's work to help developers, not make them feel stupid.

This content, along with any associated source code and files, is licensed under The Code Project Open License (CPOL)

Member 12001186 · Answer 1 · 2016-01-20T11:34:00

Solution 1

You could consider pushing Powershell scripts to the client and execute them locally using elevated permissions or make your client more robust so it can execute predefined tasks and work your way from there.

Don't know exactly what it is you are going for. But it might be useful to have a look at the technology Chef or Puppet is using to automate tasks on clients remotely.

Posted 20-Jan-16 11:34am

Member 12001186

Comments

DavidGrey79 21-Jan-16 8:22am

Hello, thank you for responding. Sorry but I was looking for real time control. E.g. having a command prompt on an admin PC that appears to be controlling the clients command prompt and not only that being able to use VNC, registry, file explorer across the same connection.