Controlling a Ubuntu Computer from windows

[los]

Does anyone do this, as I dont want another keyboard and mouse about, I'm just trying to get it as a standalone which is controlled from another computer, if So, what do you use?

 

[ChrisB]

putty

 

[korgtronix]

Either putty command line or if you want a gui then vnc

 

[OhEsEcks]

Another vote here for Putty. It's probably the best Windows terminal client I've ever had to use.

 

[Cuchulain]

mRemoteNG, it's putty but with a connection manager.

 

[daz.rathbone]

Putty has been my go-to term app for as long as I can remember, although I'm trying MobaXterm atm, very impressed - basically putty with tabbed sessions, in-built (S)FTP, window managers etc. Worth a look.

 

[abbotsmike]

GUI or command line?

I've used XRDP and the windows RDP client quite successfully for GUI. Putty for command line.

 

[KIA]

x2go, if you want something more advanced than VNC.

 

[Steveocee]

Install xrdp onto the linux machine and then you can use the Windows built in remote desktop client to operate the linux box.

 

[los]

Install xrdp onto the linux machine and then you can use the Windows built in remote desktop client to operate the linux box.

I tried this and it connects but I just get a grey and white spotty screen.
I've just installed putty so guess I will try looking into that, unless anyone knows why Im getting a grey and white spotty screen?
Shame really as that seemed like it was a good option

 

[los]

Oh and btw I'm a complete newb with ubuntu I've always used windows so all the programs your mentioning I've never heard of, but I have been looking them up

 

[Evil-I]

Hi Los,

Not familiar with XRDP but when using something like VNC you need to amend some settings on the linux box to tell it which desktop manager to use with the VNC session. If you don't do this you sort of get a VERY basic GUI screen which sounds like what you might be seeing?

Check out THIS howto. Had a quick scan over it and it looks pretty comprehensive. Any issues, post in this thread and we should be able to help.

One thing to be careful of, is it's not a good idea to open up the VNC ports on your router to be able to access this machine remotely via the internet without considering the security side of things. Typically VNC on linux does not use an encrypted connection unless you go through some additional steps. Typically connecting to VNC via an SSH tunnel is recommended.

I use VNC to connect to my Fedora based home server. I also use Putty as my SSH client from windows when I want terminal access.

Good luck,

E-I

 

[Subliminal Aura]

Teamviewer works will on my Linux based work desktop

 

[Evil-I]

Typically if you create your vncserver session via terminal e.g.

vncserver :1 -depth 24 - geometry 1920x1080

You'll get a message that says something like configuration is within file xstartup.

SO if you then edit that xstartup file typically you just need to uncomment a couple of lines to enable the default proper desktop within your VNC session.

This link is also quite helpful.

E-I

 

[Evil-I]

Teamviewer works will on my Linux based work desktop

Not a bad idea as then you shouldn't have to worry about opening ports on your linux box or router.

E-I

 

[Steveocee]

Teamviewer is a good idea also

 

[Subliminal Aura]

Not a bad idea as then you shouldn't have to worry about opening ports on your linux box or router.

E-I

Yup which is why I use it because I'm too lazy to update fw rules

 

[abbotsmike]

I assumed we were talking internal network only, otherwise definitely teamviewer. I find that even across a LAN it's laggier than RDP.

 

[los]

Thanks very much for your help everyone, I can now connect to it
I used XRDP in the end, turns out theres a bug on 14.04 and I had to install another desktop and it now works.
Just got to sort out file sharing, then I should be about sorted

 

[Steveocee]

Just got to sort out file sharing, then I should be about sorted

Right click said folder, sharing options, let it install samba, share.

Job done