Connecting Remotely
Finally everything is set up. If you followed the above instructions you should now be able to connect both from a computer in your own internal network or from one connected to the Internet from anywhere in the world. The only thing you need is a connection client. While there are many clients available, below are my recommendations.
Terminal Services Connection Clients
| OS | Screenshot | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Windows | Microsoft Remote Desktop Connection Microsoft’s native client for connecting to Windows Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP). Includes configurable options for all the client connection features supported by Terminal Services. Start > Programs > Accessories > Communication > Remote Desktop Connection | |
| Linux (GNOME) | Terminal Services Client Eerily similar look to the Microsoft client with its options screen practically identical. This standard GNOME client supports the RDP and RDPv5 protocol. Applications > Internet > Terminal Server Client | |
| Linux (KDE) | Krdc A minimalist TS client. This client allows you to control the the screen size on the connected client, but lacks the consistent interface offered by the other clients mentioned. You just need to specify “rdp:/” instead of “vnc:/” in front of the target host’s address. KDE Menu > Internet > Krdc | |
| Mac OSX | Microsoft Remote Desktop Connection for Mac A Mac version of the same client offered to Windows users. Developed and supported by Microsoft. |
VNC Connection Clients
| OS | Screenshot | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Windows | TightVNC Not only is TightVNC my preferred application for running a VNC server on Windows is also my preferred connection client. TightVNC is lightweight and has several configuration options for adapting to different network speeds. Start > Programs > TightVNC > TightVNC Viewer (any mode option will work) | |
| Linux (GNOME) | Terminal Services Client The same client GNOME uses as its default TS client also works as a VNC client. Simply change the protocol selection to use VNC. The option tabs are still available to configure your VNC preferences. Applications > Internet > Terminal Server Client | |
| Linux (KDE) | Krdc Much like its TS connection options, Krdc offers the same interface for connecting to VNC hosts. Just preface the connection with “vnc:/” instead of “rdp:/”. KDE Menu > Internet > Krdc | |
| Mac OSX | Chicken of the VNC An open source, easy to use and configure VNC client for Mac OSX. |
Connecting to a Host
Once you have your client installed, connecting is simple. Just open the appropriate connection application and enter either the IP address, local or external, or domain name (I cover this in more detail in the next section) for the computer you want to connect to. Depending on your OS and client, your screens may differ slightly, but the process will be the same. Here is how it will look if you are connecting using the clients I recommended above.
Unfortunately I had limited access to a Mac, so my screenshot collection is a bit incomplete.
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