Carbon Copy was a remote control and file transfer software application primarily developed for MS-DOS and early versions of Microsoft Windows. Developed by Microcom, Inc., the software was one of the earliest commercial solutions designed to allow one computer to access and control another system from a remote location.
Functionality
The software enabled a "guest" computer to take control of a "host" computer's screen, keyboard, and mouse. Communication between the two systems was typically established through dial-up modems, serial cables, or local area networks (LAN). Key features included:
- Remote Desktop Control: Users could run applications and manage files on the host machine as if they were physically present at the console.
- File Transfer: The application included utilities to move files between the host and guest systems, often featuring data compression to optimize speeds over low-bandwidth modem connections.
- Security: Access was generally restricted through password protection and callback features, where the host would hang up and dial a pre-configured number to verify the identity of the guest.
History and Development
Microcom, the original developer, was known for its work in modem protocols (specifically the MNP or Microcom Networking Protocol). Carbon Copy became one of the leading products in the remote access market during the late 1980s and early 1990s, competing directly with products like Symantec’s pcAnywhere.
In 1997, Microcom was acquired by Compaq Computer Corporation. Compaq integrated Microcom’s technology into its server management tools and continued to market Carbon Copy for a period. However, as the software landscape shifted toward internet-based remote access and integrated operating system features—such as Microsoft’s Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP)—the commercial relevance of standalone dial-up remote control software declined.
Legacy
Carbon Copy is recognized in the history of computing as a foundational tool for remote technical support and telecommuting. It established many of the functional paradigms, such as screen scraping and remote peripheral emulation, that remain central to modern remote desktop and collaboration software. Support for the product eventually ceased following the merger of Compaq and Hewlett-Packard in 2002.