Computer Aided Engineering Journal & Forums

Remote desktop to Windows machine from linux using rdesktop and VPN.

How to connect to the windows network (work/office) from your linux box (e.g., ubuntu) using vpn and rdesktop.

I will give you the generic commands to install, for which I assume that the system is debian based.

Install VPN:

We will use VPNC , which is an open source free alternative that is compatible to Cisco VPN.
As root,

Code:

apt-get install vpnc resolvconf

Install Rdesktop

Code:

apt-get install rdesktop

Need details from the Cisco VPN pcf files issued from your work/school
Create a file school.conf and paste

Code:

IPSec gateway <school/work server>

IPSec ID <group name>

IPSec secret <group password>

Xauth username <username>

Move this file to /etc/vpnc and start vpnc by:
In a terminal as root:

Code:

vpnc school (without the extension .conf)

Enter your password at the prompt. You should get a message saying that the connection has been started in the background.

Now time to connect to your [office/school] windows system
start rdesktop: (not as root)

Code:

rdesktop -u YourUsername xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx

where xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx is the ip address of the computer

You should see the login window with a basic 16bit display. More options as available in rdesktop to obtain more control over the display. Make sure to disable dual monitor setup on this computer prior to connecting (if using the above command to connect. you will not be able to change settings from this basic window.)
Just use this command to get the options.

Code:

rdesktop

That's it. Hope this is useful.

kinematic