Want to remote access your Linux desktop? Or access your workstation similar the way Remote Desktop does it?
While Linux offers a wide array of ways to connect to a remote computer, some people still prefer to connect the traditional way by using ssh. Not only it is secure, it is sure is a fast way of connecting a remote terminal. However, if you want to remotely access your Linux desktop, freeNX can do the job along with NoMachine client.
What is freeNX?
From the official website:
NX is an exciting new technology for remote display. It provides near local speed application responsiveness over high latency, low bandwidth links. The core libraries for NX are provided by NoMachine under the GPL. FreeNX is a GPL implementation of the NX Server.
Linux is to freeNX as Windows is to Remote Desktop. I decided to use freeNX to access my Linux desktop in office if ever I need to.
Setting up freeNx:
freeNX is available for download in source tarballs and distribution packages.I personally use the distribution package for Fedora/Redhat which is available via yum. I am using Fedora 7 so in this case, I will use the steps of setting up freeNX for my distro.
# Make sure you are up-to-date yum update # Install FreeNX and all dependencies yum install freenx #SERVER SETUP IS DONE! The RPM takes care of the required setup.
That’s it! However, if you are using Fedora versions older than Fedora 5, there is a special how-to for freeNX setup that you might want to check.
Install NoMachine client:
Remote connection also needs a client which is the program you use that connects to your remote server, in this case the freeNX server. In this tutorial, we will be using NoMachine as the client. You can download the NoMachine client here. In my example, I will be using Windows XP for my workstation client so I have to download and install the NoMachine client for Windows. Install the client and run the NX Client for Windows. This will open up a dialog box for your client configuration. Here are the steps you need to setup your client:
- Â When the dialog box opens, enter the Session and Host name for your connection. Session name is the name of your connection and your settings will be saved under this name. Host name is the ip address or hostname and port of the remote machine. The default port is 22 (SSH). Click Next.
- In the next dialog box, select Unix and choose which type of window manager you want to use and the resolution. In this case I user KDE and Available Area for my resolution. Check the box for Enable SSL encryption. Click Next.
- If you want to put a shortcut to this connection on your desktop, put a tick on the Create shortcut on desktop checkbox and click Finish.
If you want to open the session, double click the shortcut on your Desktop and type in your username and password for this session. You will be connecting now to your freeNX server and you will see your Available sessions box. Select New to create a new session to begin connecting to your remote desktop. Wait for the desktop to load and voila! You are now connected to your remote desktop.
Popularity: 12% [?]
[...] kamotegirl wrote an interesting post today on Setting Up Remote Connection Using FreeNXHere’s a quick excerptYou can download the NoMachine client here. In my example, I will be using Windows XP for my workstation client so I have to download and install the NoMachine client for Windows. Install the client and run the NX Client for Windows. … [...]
Really nice article there. I have a older linux system and tried a few older methods of setting it up with a virtual LAN but it never worked out so great.
If anyone is looking for a way to create a virtual network and/or remote administration Hamachi and Tight VNC are the way to go.