Remote Graphics Software is a client-server remote desktop software solution developed by Hewlett-Packard, to enable remote access to high-performance workstations from many different devices including other Workstations, PCs and thin-client machines. This access includes control of the graphics hardware on the server, enabling manipulation of large, complex 3D models. Collaboration with multiple users, Remote USB and sound are also supported. HP markets RGS for "Real-Time Collaboration", "Workstation-Class Mobility" and "Remote Workers"
RGS is a similar concept to existing remote desktop technologies such as Microsoft's Remote Desktop Protocol, NX technology, Oracle/Sun Microsystems' Appliance Link Protocol, Citrix's Independent Computing Architecture, Open Virtual Desktop Ulteo or VNC's Virtual Network Computing in that all the processing including hardware-accelerated graphics rendering is done on the server and only compressed bitmap images are sent to the client, but is distinguished by its proprietary compression algorithm which allows for real-time transmission of complex 3D images and video, which existing remote desktop protocols struggle with. This opens up the use of remote desktops and thin clients to graphics-intensive industries such as CAD which have previously required local workstations.
There are two components to the software, the server (known as the 'sender' in HP parlance) and the client (or 'receiver', as HP calls it).
The software supports OpenGL and Microsoft Direct3D (up to version 9) graphics libraries.
HP started including RGS with all of its Workstations starting with version 5.4.7. RGS can be downloaded from HP and run on HP Z workstations for free. Other hardware requires a license for the RGS sender. The receiver is a free download for Windows and Linux clients.
HP claims that the RGS video compression codec, currently designated HP3, is derived from a patented system developed for the NASA Mars Rover program. This implies that HP3 is an implementation of the ICER wavelet compression scheme and potentially the first real-time commercial product based on ICER.
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