Desktop: Run Remote Linux Workstation in Windows

This updated guide examines Desktop: Run Remote Linux Workstation in Windows and organizes the essential facts, background, and practical takeaways in clear American English.

Recently, I have just introduced you to a remote connection to Windows 7 desktop from a Linux computer, but This guide shows how to do the opposite, That's how to run remote Linux workstation in Windows.

Assumptions

First we will assume that both Windows and Linux workstations are working well and that both are connected on the same LAN. For simplicity, we will use the IP address 192.168.1.x. And obviously it will be easier (in this case), the IP addresses will be static addresses (otherwise you will have to find the IP address for your workstations).

Software used

Only two software need to be used:

• x11vnc: Installed on a Linux computer for use as a VNC server.
• TightVNC: Installed on a Windows computer for use as a VNC client

The installation of Windows software takes place quite simply. You just need to download the installer and double click on them. However for many Windows users, installing Linux software may not be so easy.

Obviously, Linux installation will depend on what your distribution is. But basically, all you need to do is follow these steps:

1. Open Add / Remove Software tools (such as ynaptic, Ubuntu Software Center, gnome-packagekit,.).
2. Search for 'x11vnc ' (without quotes).
3. Select the installation result.
4. Click Apply to install.

If you are more comfortable with the command line, you can install Linux software as follows:

1. Open a terminal window
2. Type in the command line command sudo apt-get install x11vnc (this command will depend on the distribution you use).

When all software is installed, go to the next step.

Linux side

On the Linux side is quite easy. All you need to do is launch the x11vnc server. If you look at the instructions page for x11vnc (issue man x11vnc command) you will see some options for the server. One of the options that you should consider is -forever . If you do not add this option to the command, your x11vnc server will " die " as soon as the client exits the session.

So the command you need to run from the terminal is:

x11vnc -forever

You will not see the prompt again, even if you add the & character , x11vnc will not return a prompt to you. Because of this problem, you should add a line like x11vnc -forever to the end of your /etc/rc.local file. This will ensure your x11vnc server will run at startup.

Windows side

This is the time of connection. You have installed TightVNC on your Windows machine, so go to the Start menu and launch TightVNC. You will now see a small window (as shown in Figure A), which allows you to enter the connection address as well as enable the Options window.

Figure A: Select the Connection Profile that best suits your connection type

In the Options window (Figure B), there are several items you need to configure. Unless you need a configuration, leave the default options.

Figure B: You can set TightVNC in View mode, which is an effective mode to connect the client to a non-interactive session. Good for training purposes.

After completing the configuration step, click the Connect button and the connection will be executed (Figure C). The speed of TightVNC will run depending on your network speed.

Figure C: Select options and create a connection

Conclude

What we guide you in this article is a simple way to make connections between Windows and Linux workstations. When you do this connection, your network administration will become much easier.