Version 1.2 (released April 2, 2003) added a number of features that were designed to ease the administration of a large number of computers. Version 1.1 (released August 20, 2002) introduced the ability to schedule remote tasks. Version 1 also included simple file transfer abilities that would allow administrators to install simple applications remotely however, to install applications that required the use of an installer, the administrator would have to run the installer manually through the client system's interface. It also allowed remote computers to be restarted or shut down, to have their screens locked or unlocked, or be put to sleep or awakened, all remotely. The original release, which used the User Datagram Protocol (UDP) on port 3283, allowed remote computers (running Mac OS 8.1 or later) to be observed or controlled from a computer running Mac OS X 10.1. Mac Pro (2019), Mac mini (M1, 2020) with a 10Gb Ethernet card, and Mac Studio (2022) have Lights Out Management function and are able to power-on by Apple Remote Desktop.

Aimed at computer administrators responsible for large numbers of computers and teachers who need to assist individuals or perform group demonstrations, Apple Remote Desktop allows users to remotely control or monitor other computers over a network. Apple Remote Desktop ( ARD) is a Macintosh application produced by Apple Inc., first released on March 14, 2002, that replaced a similar product called Apple Network Assistant.

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