To remotely access another server

[HuaMin]

Hi,
Is there any tools like the terminal service, by which we can connect to another machine out of our company network? That server can be one that runs in Linux.

Many Thanks & Best Regards,
HuaMin Chen

[Irithori]

Unix servers are usually maintained with ssh, aka commandline only.

If you really need a graphical interface, you can use
a) ssh with X-forwarding. This will open the graphical window on your client, while the programm runs on the server.
b) a VNC or NX server. These will give you a desktop session.

[Roxoff]

If you're using VNC on another network, then the protocol isn't very secure. You can forward your VNC service port (5901, etc.) over an ssh connection - this makes it very secure.

If you don't have a lot of bandwidth, then forwarding X may not be a pleasant experience - but do try it, it's the easiest of these suggested solutions.

NX is very similar to VNC, but the protocol it uses has ssh-like built-in security mechanisms.

[HuaMin]

Many many thanks to all. What should I do within WinXP as I'm connecting to the server with the client using this.

[Irithori]

- SSH: putty PuTTY Download Page
- VNC: install a VNC server on the linux box, then choose one of the many VNC clients. Roxoff is right though. You might want to tunnel VNC over ssh for security reasons
- NX: install a NX server on your linux box, then get this NX client: NoMachine NX - Download: NX Client for Windows

[HuaMin]

Many thanks Irithori. I need to go to the outside world from the company in which there're a firewall and other security settings. Will NX client work for this?

[Irithori]

NX uses port 22, tcp.
Just like ssh.

There is a good chance, that this is allowed by the security policies of your company and the other company, as NX is encrypted and authenticated.
It does use some network bandwidth, though.
A graphical interface needs more traffic and ressources and is slower than a pure ssh commandline.

You should clarify, if
- the additional traffic is ok and
- connections to port 22 are allowed

Then install the nx server on the linux box.

[HuaMin]

Many thanks and very sorry for this late reply.
1) What should I do in my local machine (that is in WinXP)? What should I install on it for going out?
2) should I use port 22 for going out? How do I know the connection to port 22 is allowed?

Bst rgds,
HuaMin

[HuaMin]

Good day all. Any advice?

[kyleowen]

For winXP, you have to find a ssh program, a
quick google search should help, and for the port, that varys due to firewass settings, I would go with 22,24,25,2081,2082 2085, 2086, 2095, 2096
that
is in my experinces, otherwise contact the server admin