Access Your Apps and Docs Remotely with FreeNX
Productivity Sauce
The ability to control your primary machine remotely can come in rather handy when you need to access your documents and applications using your netbook or laptop. While you might be tempted to go with a solution based on the popular VNC protocol, you should keep in mind that it has two serious limitations: it's both insecure and slow. A much better solution is to use the FreeNX server and an NX client, which offers a secure connection that works well even with a slow modem link -- a boon for users on the move.
The first order of business is to install the FreeNX server software on your primary machine. To do this on Ubuntu, you have to add the FreeNX Team PPA repository to the sources.list file. Open the file for editing using the sudo nano /etc/apt/sources.list command and add the following lines to it:
deb http://ppa.launchpad.net/freenx-team/ubuntu VERSION main deb-src http://ppa.launchpad.net/freenx-team/ubuntu VERSION main
Replace the VERSION string with the actual Ubuntu version installed on your machine (e.g., "jaunty" for Ubuntu 9.04). Save the modifications and close the file. Next, add the public key of FreeNX PPA using the following command:
sudo apt-key adv --recv-keys --keyserver keyserver.ubuntu.com 2a8e3034d018a4ce
Update the repository info and install the FreeNX server:
sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get install freenx
Run then the nxsetup utility to install and configure the server:
sudo /usr/lib/nx/nxsetup --install
The setup procedure automatically starts the FreeNX server, but you can always stop and start the server manually using the following commands:
sudo /etc/init.d/freenx-server stop sudo /etc/init.d/freenx-server start
Once the server is up and running, it's time to install NX client software on your netbook or laptop. To do this, use the sudo apt-get install qtnx command which installs the QtNX NX client.
Launch QtNX, and select Create new session from the Session drop-down list to set up a new session. Most of the fields in the configuration window are self-explanatory, so you shouldn't have any problems configuring the session. Press OK when you are done, enter your user name and password of the user account on the remote host, hit the Connect button, and you should see the remote desktop in all its beauty.
Comments
comments powered by DisqusSubscribe to our Linux Newsletters
Find Linux and Open Source Jobs
Subscribe to our ADMIN Newsletters
Support Our Work
Linux Magazine content is made possible with support from readers like you. Please consider contributing when you’ve found an article to be beneficial.
News
-
Gnome OS Transitioning Toward a General-Purpose Distro
If you're looking for the perfectly vanilla take on the Gnome desktop, Gnome OS might be for you.
-
Fedora 41 Released with New Features
If you're a Fedora fan or just looking for a Linux distribution to help you migrate from Windows, Fedora 41 might be just the ticket.
-
AlmaLinux OS Kitten 10 Gives Power Users a Sneak Preview
If you're looking to kick the tires of AlmaLinux's upstream version, the developers have a purrfect solution.
-
Gnome 47.1 Released with a Few Fixes
The latest release of the Gnome desktop is all about fixing a few nagging issues and not about bringing new features into the mix.
-
System76 Unveils an Ampere-Powered Thelio Desktop
If you're looking for a new desktop system for developing autonomous driving and software-defined vehicle solutions. System76 has you covered.
-
VirtualBox 7.1.4 Includes Initial Support for Linux kernel 6.12
The latest version of VirtualBox has arrived and it not only adds initial support for kernel 6.12 but another feature that will make using the virtual machine tool much easier.
-
New Slimbook EVO with Raw AMD Ryzen Power
If you're looking for serious power in a 14" ultrabook that is powered by Linux, Slimbook has just the thing for you.
-
The Gnome Foundation Struggling to Stay Afloat
The foundation behind the Gnome desktop environment is having to go through some serious belt-tightening due to continued financial problems.
-
Thousands of Linux Servers Infected with Stealth Malware Since 2021
Perfctl is capable of remaining undetected, which makes it dangerous and hard to mitigate.
-
Halcyon Creates Anti-Ransomware Protection for Linux
As more Linux systems are targeted by ransomware, Halcyon is stepping up its protection.
Printing support