Linux remote access allows users to access their operating system from another computer, either through the entire desktop or command line. Secure connections can be made using SSH, while VNC is used for remote desktop access. Both can be accessed from other operating systems with the necessary clients installed.
Linux remote access allows a user to access their Linux operating system from another computer. Depending on the type of remote access used, it can allow access to the entire desktop or just the command line. Different levels of security can also be implemented for Linux remote access.
To use remote access, a computer must be connected to the Internet or be connected to a local area network from which the computer is accessed. The user also needs to know the IP address of their router to be able to access the desktop remotely. To make a secure connection, the user must install a Secure Shell (SSH) network protocol, which creates a secure “tunnel” between the two systems. A secure connection should always be used when connecting to the Internet, but is usually not required on a local area network.
Virtual Network Computing (VNC) is used to remotely connect to the entire desktop system on a Linux machine. In most cases, both machines need to have a VNC client installed to connect. Freeware VNC clients are available, but the popular Ubuntu Linux distribution also includes a VNC tool installed. Linux remote access preferences can be set from the system preferences menu in Ubuntu.
SSH creates secure connections between machines and also allows access to the machine’s “shell”, which essentially gives the user command-line functionality on the remote machine. An SSH server must be installed on both machines to connect. The server can be installed on any Linux operating system by typing “sudo apt-get install openssh-server” in the command line.
Once an SSH server is set up, the user connects remotely by typing “ssh -L” plus the IP address and other information needed to connect to the remote computer. After the computers are connected, the user can work in the shell of the remote computer or connect the VNC so that he can work with the entire remote desktop. The VNC is connected by typing the name of the VNC client plus the IP address of the remote computer into the command line.
In addition to connecting remotely from another Linux system, a user can also connect with Linux remote access from a Windows or Mac operating system. To do this, the Linux system is configured the same way as connecting to another Linux system and the other operating system must have a VNC client and an SSH client installed. Once these applications are configured, the user enters the router’s IP address and port to connect to the Linux machine.
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