Remote Desktop Connection – Linux Client

Windows Remote Desktop Connection (RDC) – Linux Client

With Windows Remote Desktop Connection you can access the Windows session that is running on your Windows computer when you are at a Linux computer. 

This means, for example, that you can connect to your Windows work computer from home and have access to all of your applications, files, and network resources as though you were in front of your computer at work.  You can leave programs running at work and when you get home, you can see your desktop at work displayed on your home computer, with the same programs running.

These instructions were developed for Ubuntu, but the process is similar for other Linux distributions.

To use Remote Desktop Connection, you need the following:

  • A Windows computer with RDC enabled (the "remote" work computer) and a fast connection to the Internet.

  • A second computer (the "home" computer) with a fast connection to the Internet, the RDC client software and the Truman VPN software.  The RDC client software is included with Ubuntu Linux.  The Truman VPN software is available from the ITS web site.

  • Appropriate user accounts and permissions.

First, install the Truman VPN software on your home computer.  The VPN software and step-by-step instructions are on the ITS web site.  Test and make sure the VPN is working correctly before proceeding.

Next, on your work computer, enable Remote Desktop Connections and set the access permissions.

Note:  If you do not have administrative rights on your work computer then ITS may need to do this for you.

Click on Start, Control Panel, System, and select the Remote tab.

 

In the above area (outlined in red), check the box to allow remote connections and write down the full computer name.  You'll need to know the work computer name to connect to it from your home computer.

Then click on Select Remote Users button.

Click on the Add button and add your Truman userid.  Then click on OK to finish.

OK, now you should be ready to use RDC to connect to your work computer from your home computer!

At your home computer:

  1. Make the VPN connection to Truman. 
  2. Start your RDC client.  On a Ubuntu computer the RDC client is listed in GUI Applications menu.  Click on Applications, Internet, Terminal Server Client.
  3. Enter the full name of your work computer, for example, sample-pc.truman.edu, and click Connect.
  4. When the RDC clients connects, enter your userid and password and logon to your work computer as normal.

When you are done working, logoff from your work computer and close the VPN connection.

Done!

If you would like to read the Wikipedia article on Windows Remote Desktop click here.

To search the Ubuntu forums for help and information on the Ubuntu Terminal Server Client click here.

To see the Microsoft web site "Help and How To" article on Windows RDC click here.

If you have problems or questions using the VPN or RDC please contact the ITS HelpDesk at x4544.

Related Documents: