How to Remotely Access My Linux Computer

There are two ways to access your Linux computer remotely. Secure Shell (SSH) provides access to a text-based terminal window. Virtual Network Computing (VNC) allows you to access the graphical desktop. The OpenSSH and VNC software is available through most Linux software repositories.

Things You'll Need

• OpenSSH
• VNC server software

Instructions

SSH

1. Open a terminal window.

2. Install the OpenSSH server and client software. If you are using Ubuntu, type the command "sudo apt-get install openssh-server openssh-client". If you are using Fedora or CentOS, type the command "yum install openssh-server openssh-client". The SSH server is ready to be used as soon as it is installed.

3. Type the command "ssh user_name@IP_address" on another computer to access a terminal window on your computer. Replace "user_name" with your user name. Replace "IP_address" with the IP address of your computer.

VNC

1. Download and install the VNC servers software. If you are using Fedora or CentOS, type the command "yum install vnc-server". If you are using Ubuntu, type the command "sudo apt-get install vnc4server".

2. Type the command "vncpasswd" to set a password for the VNC server.

3. Edit the "~/.vnc/xstartup" file and uncomment the following two lines:

   unset SESSION_MANAGER

   exec /etc/X11/xinit/xinitrc

4. Type the command "vncserver start" to start the VNC server.

5. Type "IP_Address:1" in the VNC viewer on another computer to access the desktop of your computer. Replace "IP_address" with the IP address of your computer.

References

• UnixCraft: Ubuntu Linux OpenSSH Server Installation and Configuration
• CentOS: VNC (Virtual Network Computing)