The Remote Framebuffer Protocol

Abstract

RFB ("remote framebuffer") is a simple protocol for remote access to graphical user interfaces that allows a client to view and control a window system on another computer. Because it works at the framebuffer level, RFB is applicable to all windowing systems and applications. This document describes the protocol used to communicate between an RFB client and RFB server. RFB is the protocol used in VNC. Status of This Memo This document is not an Internet Standards Track specification; it is published for informational purposes. This document is a product of the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF). It represents the consensus of the IETF community. It has received public review and has been approved for publication by the Internet Engineering Steering Group (IESG). Not all documents approved by the IESG are a candidate for any level of Internet Standard; see Section 2 of RFC 5741. Information about the current status of this document, any errata, and how to provide feedback on it may be obtained at http://www.rfc-editor.org/info/rfc6143.

The "vnc" URI Scheme

“…RFB security types are recorded in the IANA "Remote Framebuffer Security Types" registry created by [RFC6143]. The VNC client will use this information to determine which parameters are required and establish the connection.…”

“…If "ViewOnly" is true, the VNC client SHOULD operate in a displayonly mode and refrain from sending input data including KeyEvent, PointerEvent, and ClientCutText messages specified in Section 7.5 of [RFC6143] unless this mode is unsupported by the client.…”

“…The "enum<rfbsec>" values represent an RFB security type included in the IANA "Remote Framebuffer Security Types" registry created by [RFC6143].…”

“…The process for negotiating security types is specified in [RFC6143]. Supported connection channels could be discovered by testing channel types to detect when a channel is successfully established.…”

“…Virtual Network Computing (VNC) clients are used to support remote desktop connectivity based on the Remote Framebuffer (RFB) Protocol [RFC6143]. It is often desirable to integrate such functionality with other software.…”