Key Consumer Technologies

The following technologies, supported in the latest version of Windows XP, are important to Microsoft’s consumer strategy.

Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) allows one Windows-based client (e.g., a PC, terminal, or wireless device) to access applications running on a Windows PC by providing input and display capabilities over any TCP/IP-based network. RDP is included in Windows XP Professional, allowing an XP Pro machine to act as a “host” for other PCs or terminals, such as Windows-Powered Smart Displays (portable monitors with minimal local storage and processing that run Windows CE).

Internet Protocol version 6 (IPv6) is a standard approved by the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) in 1996 that solves a number of problems with the current Internet protocol, IPv4-most notably, the limited number of addresses that can be assigned with the IPv4 addressing system. Support for IPv6 will make it easier for devices within a home network to have unique and dedicated IP addresses, paving the way for peer-to-peer communication between devices. (For more background, see “Beta SDK for Peer-to-Peer Released” on page 18 of the Apr. 2003 Update.)