Remote Administration Tool (RAT)

A remote administration tool (RAT) is a software program that gives you the ability to control another device remotely. You then have access to the device’s system as if you had physical access to the device itself. This remote access can be used to turn the device on or off, troubleshoot problems, access files, and more.

Remote tools like RATs generally exist under the umbrella of remote support or remote management software. This type of software can let IT and help desk technicians access remote devices using only an internet connection. With a remote administration tool, an IT technician can instantly connect to a device and gain full control to provide support, install updates, and perform tasks requiring administrator credentials.

RAT remote tools are designed to simplify Linux, macOS, and Windows administration by allowing you to perform administration and support tasks from a single remote console. Whether it’s a remote server on your network, or end users needing remote assistance in any part of the world (inside or outside the network firewall), RAT tools can help you provide immediate assistance.

Windows, macOS, and Linux remote administration tools are built to let you initiate secure, over-the-internet remote connections with devices both inside the LAN and across the world via the internet. Some RAT tools can even allow you to connect beyond the corporate firewall without requiring a VPN connection using an internet proxy server.

Once connected, the technician has full control over the end-user device. The host device continues to be responsible for the processing power even though it’s being controlled by a remote device with the help of a remote administration tool. The tech simply sends mouse and keyboard input and the device can send back audio and video output.

Once connected through a RAT tool, the remote users, typically IT technicians, can use remote access to reboot systems, start or stop services and processes, copy and delete files, view and clear event logs, and much more. They can even remotely power on PCs and Macs.

Powerful RAT tools also let technicians chat with users while connected, which can help improve troubleshooting since the technician and end user can communicate about the problem in real time.

Good RAT remote tools may also offer Active Directory management services. For example, with a tool like SolarWinds DRS, you can run Exchange tasks right from the interface with AD remote server administration tools. To enable AD management, the Dameware agent for AD is automatically deployed to the AD controller. You can complete control of your AD environment from a single remote administration console.

Using RAT tools involves connecting to the end user’s device to gain full control, which can allow you to begin troubleshooting with the ease of being able to treat the connected device as if you were physically in front of it.

Some of the best RATs, like SolarWinds Dameware Remote Support, offer one management console with built-in remote administration tools to allow you to perform numerous administration tasks from a central location to better streamline the troubleshooting process.

You can use Windows remote administration tools to complete many IT tasks, including:

• Managing Windows services and processes: From the RAT tool console, you can remotely start and stop Windows services and processes. You can also start a remote command-line console and run commands or scripts on the remote computer.
• Troubleshooting using Windows Performance Monitor: Within the RAT console, you have full access to remotely review Windows performance data to quickly find and troubleshoot performance problems.
• Adding shares, moving files, and reformatting disk drives: Using a remote administration tool, you can copy/delete files, manage folders, and add/delete network shares. You can also view information about the remote computer’s drives and reformat them right from the console.
• Viewing and clearing events in the Windows Event Log: Viewing the Windows Event Log is often the first step in troubleshooting. With a RAT, you can view the event log of remote computers from within the console. You can also view the detailed message of each event and clear events as needed.
• Supporting sleeping machines: The Intel vPro AMT capability lets you remotely “wake” computers from sleep or power-saving mode, so you can complete administration tasks.
• Initiating remote sessions not required: You can provide IT support to remote systems without initiating a full remote control session—no matter the operating system the device is running on.
• Running custom scripts with System Tools: Good RATs make it easier to run your own scripts right from the tool’s console. You can create a System Tool by specifying the command, the command line arguments, and the directory where it should run. Once complete, you can access the new System Tool from the RAT menu bar.

Implementing RATs can transform the face of IT support by simplifying the process and helping ensure technicians can address end-user problems before the issues halt productivity. Remote administration tools can help increase convenience and efficiency, potentially saving businesses both time and money.

Whether on Windows or Linux, remote administration tools can help IT teams more easily troubleshoot problems than they could without gaining access to the devices. As work culture moves toward a greater reliance on distributed and remote workforces, the ability for IT to solve problems without having physical access to end-user devices will only become more important.

SolarWinds Dameware Remote Support (DRS) comes with remote administration tools designed to let technicians gain remote access to help make troubleshooting performance issues and managing Active Directory easier.

Whether you need to use a Mac remote administration tool or to remotely power on PC, DRS offers multi-platform remote access solutions for Linux, Windows, and macOS devices, including laptops, computers, and servers, through a single, easy-to-use administrator console. This access is also designed to be secure, with the ability to use multi-factor authentication.

You can use DRS to more easily power on devices, reboot systems, view and clear event logs, delete or copy files, start/stop processes and services, and more. Some of the key features are:

• Troubleshooting and maintenance: Access sleeping or powered-down devices easily. DRS’s comprehensive set of TCP utilities and system tools is built to eliminate the need to individually access each remote computer’s control panel, making troubleshooting and maintenance faster and easier.
• In-session features: Control the remote mouse and keyboard, implement a blank screen, conduct file transfers, pause a session, and more.
• Dashboard controls: View basic system information fast, including data on system health, device details, and additional info on remote systems.

DRS also has a mobile application called Dameware Mobile that brings DRS’s remote control features to your iOS and Android devices. You can remotely access desktop computers, laptops, and even servers right from your mobile device, whether a phone or a tablet.

Cloud-based SolarWinds IT Service Management tools:

• Dameware Remote Everywhere
• SolarWinds Service Desk

Other DRS features:

• Flexible deployment options
• Active Directory user export tool
• Central server and administration console
• Remote management support for Intel vPro with AMT