Virtual Network Computing (VNC) describes a network where a single Client receives (compressed or uncompressed) image data from any number of Servers over a given network. The Client in turn sends control data for mouse, keyboard and other devices to a Server.

Apple Remote Desktop first shipped in 2002. It incorporates many of the claims of this patent. In particular, it provides an overview of a plurality of workstations, and lets the overview operator click on an individual workstation to enlarge it or control it directly, overriding the local workstation operator.