# Overview remote.it allows you to make secure remote connections between two computers. Some of the benefits include: * Crossing multiple NATs/firewalls * Using a single TCP port * **portforwardless:** without requiring port forwarding in the router, significantly reducing your network's vulnerability * Many TCP/UDP-based protocols and applications are supported * SSH/SCP - [network console and file transfer](https://support.remote.it/hc/en-us/sections/4412840105997-Remote-Console-and-File-Transfer) * VNC, RDP, Mac Screen Sharing - [remotely access the Graphical User Interface (GUI)](https://support.remote.it/hc/en-us/sections/4423781834253-Remote-desktop-control) * http/https (web servers and applications such as node-red) * SMB (Samba) file sharing * other protocols supported under the "custom TCP" option, e.g. MQTT ## The core remote.it components ### remoteit Service Agent remoteit is the component that is installed on the devices which will be connected. In the case of a peer-to-peer connection, remoteit will be installed on the connection initiating device as well. You can also interact with remoteit to run network diagnostics and troubleshoot other issues with your device. ### Services These are the specific connections and their details that tell remoteit what two endpoints to connect. ### Installation Packages remote.it supports installation of a desktop application, CLI, or a device package on multiple platforms and architectures. The [**Desktop**](https://link.remote.it/support/desktop-overview) application provides a UI to interact with your devices which includes configuration, connections, and event logs. This is the easiest application for technical and non-technical users. The [**CLI**](https://docs.remote.it/software/cli/overview) provides a local command line interface to the device to which it is installed. This includes configuration, connections, status, and some debugging tools. This is useful when a UI is not needed, however you may also need to use some API requests to use some of the functions such as connections. The [**Device Package**](https://docs.remote.it/software/device-package/installation) installs the Target Service Daemon component. This is useful when a UI is not needed and a small footprint on the device is needed. For example, an embedded device with limited storage. The iOS app allows you to initiate a connect to all your devices directly from an iPhone and iPad. {% embed url="" %} The Android app acts as an initiator or target device {% embed url="" %} ### APIs APIs are the backbone of the applications and provide ways to view and manage your remote.it account as well as your devices, connections, and event logs. Further details on the APIs can be found [here](https://docs.remote.it/developer-tools/api/usage#what-is-graphql). --- # Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question. Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter: ``` GET https://docs.remote.it/introduction/readme.md?ask= ``` The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language. The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation. Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.