Application sharing enables two or more users to access a shared application or document from their respective computers simultaneously in real time. Data conferencing refers to a communication session among participants sharing computer data in real time, such as screens, documents, graphics, or applications that can be seen, annotated, or manipulated by participants. An ideal application sharing solution should easily integrate with existing technologies, operate in real-time with low bandwidth usage, and work across different platforms and network conditions.

1. Application SharingMSc research by Gerhold B. Kooper

2. What is Application SharingApplication Sharing is an element of remote access, falling under the collaborative software umbrella, that enables two or more users to access a shared application or document from their respective computers simultaneously in real time. Generally, the shared application or document will be running on a host computer, and remote access to the shared content will be provided to other users by the host user.en.wikipedia.org

3. Data ConferencingSharing data interactively among several users in different locations. Data conferencing is made up of whiteboards and application sharing and are often used in conjunction with an audio or videoconferencing connection.encyclopedia2.thefreedictionary.comData conferencing refers to a communication session among two or more participants sharing computer data in real time. …The data can include screen, documents, graphics, drawings and applications that can be seen, annotated or manipulated by participants.en.wikipedia.org

4. A Good Solution ShouldEasily integrates with existing application sharing technologiesIntegrates well into conferencing technologies having either a central controlling system or also work as peer-to-peerReal-Time response and Light on bandwidthBe able to work on unstable network connectionsCan work in restricted environment such as behind firewalls and NATCan work on different platforms or operating systemsBe able to handle different processing speeds and capabilities of participating hostsPerfect synchronizing and intelligent sync recovery functions

5. Architectures and ImplementationsCentralizedIn the centralized architecture, there is only one instance of the shared applicationReplicatedThe replicated architecture requires each participant to run locally his/her own copy of the shared application.Transmission of screen contents based on raster graphicsTransmission of drawing commandsClient-Server, Peer-to-Peer or Distributed Objects

6. ProtocolsT.120 – Data ConferencingSIP, H.323 – Conference SignallingXGSP (XML based General Session Protocol) – Bridge SIP, H.323 based on web-services technology

7. Example TechnologiesRemote DesktopMS Terminal Services, VNC, Citrix, etcWeb BasedCisco WebEx, MS Terminal Services, etcPeer-to-PeerMS NetMeeting, Skype, MSN Messenger, etcOtherAccess Grid – Uses Grid Computing